Find Hotspots Even More Quickly

[Brad Adrian]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://kensington.com/html/3720.html' target='_blank'>http://kensington.com/html/3720.html</a><br /><br /></div>It used to be that when I passed through airports I had to power up my PC in order to find out if there were any WiFi hotspots available. Now, of course, I can simply turn on my WiFi-enabled Pocket PC and see if my sniffer software shows any wireless activity.<br /><br />Now, Kensington Technologies now has a neat little tool that can make it even easier to find out if there are any 802.11b or 802.11g networks nearby.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/adrian/wififinder.jpg" /><br /><br />"Your life on the road just got a lot easier. With the first and only WiFi detector on the market today, you no longer need to cross your fingers as you wait for your notebook to boot up. Just press a button and the Kensington WiFi Finder lets you know if your location is "hot"...instantly. No software or computer needed. What could be easier?"<br /><br />I wouldn't mind having one of these little jobs, mostly because it's really compact (2.95"L X 0.39"H X 2.17"W). And, after doing a quick search, I found it only costs around <a href="http://www.computers4sure.com/product.asp?productid=1701295">$22</a>.<br /><br />But what do YOU think? Is this a useful little tool or simply another toy to feed my technophilia?

[makic]

You may get a signal, but can you use it? Will this wonderkin tell me if there WEP enabled?

[Excalliber]

well, there are three indicators... One for the battery, one for a found network, and one if it is open to the public? If so, I'm in. 8)

Edit: Gah, i didn't read the article... the three lights are for signal strength??? Bah, humbug! :roll:

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

You may get a signal, but can you use it? Will this wonderkin tell me if there WEP enabled?
In a lot of cases, you'd probably know just from where you're located. Like if I saw this light up while in an airport, I'd take that as a cue to pull out my PPC right away.

And with that...
But what do YOU think? Is this a useful little tool or simply another toy to feed my technophilia?
...I'll take an order of these, please!! :D

[Skitals]

Only problem i see, is you have to press the button every time you want to check where you are. Would would be nice is if you could switch it on and stick it in your pocket, and it beeped or vibrated when it detects a network.

Push a button ever 50 feet? thats lame.

[pez]

Gah I could be in verizon lan dor T Mobile land and could care less if they had there access around.. Im a free loader.. must have free access :)

This thing is a POS in other words :)

[gorkon280]

That's what I have a PPC for! :) I really like 2003's WiFi support. If it detects one whether you can connect or not, it pops up in a ballon. Only wish it would tell you specifics on what's being used (WEP, Open??? Who knows....). Other then that, I am finally able to sync my Avantgo from outside the coffee shop near my downtown bus stop. I can sync up on the way home! ;) The e740 does not get the range/reception that my 5555 does. Oh and the guy I bought my new Minivan from yesterday had an iPaq (so he said). Saw mine strapped to my waist and he said he had one too. So, more than us geeks are starting to buy these things and I think that's great!

[Howard2k]

Yeah I think for a wi-fi PDA user there is actually little benefit... But still, nice "geek-toy".

[dean_shan]

I just use my e740. There is no need to carry another device.

[Radimus]

Cool toy if you are a 'dumb' salesman with a laptop, not as useful if you have a PPC.

and it is just another thing to hang out in your pocket... along with your 3 addl mem cards, CF Modem, GPS device, bar code scanner, VGA Adapter, portable docking cradle, thumbboard, folding keyboard, and spare battery

[kzemach]

OK, let me get this straight. The way I see it, it's going to be "wrong" possibly a lot of the time. Someone correct me if I'm mistaken, but here's the scenario:

1. I'm in an airport. I want to check for a network.
2. I use the thingy, and get a medium signal.
3. I turn on my laptop, only to find that there's no internet capable network available, only a bunch of other laptop users typing away, with their 802.11 signals radiating out for no particular reason.

I mean, if it picks up ANY 802.11 signal, then you're almost always going to get a signal confirmation anywhere anyone is using a laptop that's not antiquated. Because, let's face it, most people are too lazy or don't know how to turn their 802.11 on and off. I'm in the lazy camp myself.

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

I mean, if it picks up ANY 802.11 signal, then you're almost always going to get a signal confirmation anywhere anyone is using a laptop that's not antiquated. Because, let's face it, most people are too lazy or don't know how to turn their 802.11 on and off. I'm in the lazy camp myself.
Looking for ANY 802.11 signal is different than looking for 802.11 HOTSPOTS (which is how this device was described). If I'm not mistaken, this device should be set to look for any signal broadcast from a WAP (Wireless Access Point) which should eliminate your scenario since no businessmen I know have an integrated WAP into their laptop (it would serve no purpose).

[ECOslin]

I don't even use Wifi, but I like neat toys. I've been using Bluetooth, if I had a better idea of local Wifi coverage in my area, I might switch.

Too bad it's sold out at the moment.

Edward

Obscurity for Security
Commonality for recovery!!

[heliod]

Yeah I think for a wi-fi PDA user there is actually little benefit... But still, nice "geek-toy".

I quite agree. I think that today it is easy enough to power up the PocketPC and do a Network Scan.

I wouldn't go for it, it doesn't matter how good it is it is another box to carry that does exactly the same that can be done by the PPC.

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

I quite agree. I think that today it is easy enough to power up the PocketPC and do a Network Scan.

I wouldn't go for it, it doesn't matter how good it is it is another box to carry that does exactly the same that can be done by the PPC.
Except that this is small enough to clip onto a keychain and I can just turn the device on and leave it on when traveling through new areas without having to concern myself with my PDA's battery life. This really would act like a "push" device that automatically tells you when you're in range as opposed having to concern yourself with turning on/turning off your PDA constantly.

[Macguy59]

I bought a PPC to help reduce the amount of stuff I travel with. Period. Things like this just add to the bulk, so no I would not buy one.

[Jerry Raia]

Speaking of this, is there any sniffer software for the 5555?

[dangerwit]

Except that this is small enough to clip onto a keychain and I can just turn the device on and leave it on when traveling through new areas without having to concern myself with my PDA's battery life. This really would act like a "push" device that automatically tells you when you're in range as opposed having to concern yourself with turning on/turning off your PDA constantly.

I agree with ekkie. All I need to do is push one button; I don't need to pull out my PDA, pull out the stylus or get my thumb on a jog wheel, maneuver thru menus, etc. just to find out if there is a wireless signal. I like the keychain idea, but would like to see more lights for strength.

By the way, most commercial AP's (not Linksys, D-Link, etc. but like Cisco) can disable SSID broadcast, meaning you won't be able to automatically find an access point with your PDA. I suspect (though possibly wrong) this dongle will find the signal however, since it works on the 'hardware' level. If you're REALLY curious about coverage, software monitoring is no replacement for hardware monitors.

*Phil

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

I bought a PPC to help reduce the amount of stuff I travel with. Period. Things like this just add to the bulk, so no I would not buy one.
Sure. Everything's a trade-off. In this case it's reduced bulk vs convenience of knowing if a WAP is nearby w/o having to constantly turn your PDA on/off. This kind of reminds me of that thread Ed H started a while back asking how much stuff everyone carries around b/c of their gadgets?

[bkerrins]

NO. I don't think I need another device to let me know if it's wifi or not...most airports and cafe's I've been in have a sign posted!

[Steven Cedrone]

NO. I don't think I need another device to let me know if it's wifi or not...most airports and cafe's I've been in have a sign posted!

How about this: you can pull out your key chain, push a button to make sure the seat you want to plant yourself into for a few hours, is within reach of said posted hotspot...

I think this thing could be handy as long as you understand it's limitations...

Steve

[crazy0000]

Wait a minute isnt there a program for the pocket pc, if you have a wireless network card in your pocket pc if "sniffs" out any signals and gives you the info...

[Macguy59]

I bought a PPC to help reduce the amount of stuff I travel with. Period. Things like this just add to the bulk, so no I would not buy one.
Sure. Everything's a trade-off. In this case it's reduced bulk vs convenience of knowing if a WAP is nearby w/o having to constantly turn your PDA on/off. This kind of reminds me of that thread Ed H started a while back asking how much stuff everyone carries around b/c of their gadgets?

True. If I carried everything I have for my PPC it would take up the same amount of space that my iBook does (albeit less weight)

[dorelse]

Well, ok, on my T|C, I've got a program called NetChaser. I can turn my T|C on put it in my pocket and it vibrates (or alarms) when a signal is detected.

Is there anything like that for the PPC platform that would serve the same function?

Works really really well.

[ctmagnus]

By the way, most commercial AP's (not Linksys, D-Link, etc. but like Cisco) can disable SSID broadcast

Actually, most lower-end units now have that function as well. A firmware update may be required, however.

[lurch]

Is this a useful little tool or simply another toy to feed my technophilia?
What's the difference??? ;)
I think it's cool (if you can make use of access points, not just check your email at random places - like I would.. :) )

[Brad Adrian]

I don't have a Pocket PC with built-in WiFi, so this gadget could be quicker than popping my WLAN card in and starting up the sniffer software.

As I think about it, though, with all the other electronic stuff I tend to cram into my carry-on bag, this little toy that looks like some kind of detonator may be all I really need to insure that I continue to be singled out for pre-boarding strip- and body cavity searches.

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

...I continue to be singled out for pre-boarding strip- and body cavity searches.
8O 8O

Whatever airport you're flying in and out of... I ain't goin' there!!

[davea]

this little toy that looks like some kind of detonator may be all I really need to insure that I continue to be singled out for pre-boarding strip- and body cavity searches.

Brad has the key if you want to use this during air travel - DON"T
have it on your key chain in the the inspector's change bucket.
It's way too subject to additional security questions. Perhaps it could
be burried in your Laptop / PPC support pockets and pass thru the
Xray machine without note.. But I'm not sure nor willing to encourage
the strip search..

[nolan]

How about one of the devices with the on off switch.... and it has an audible alert when it finds an AP? That way you could leave it in your pocket or something and then pull it out to see what LEDs are lit up and then decide to pull out your gear.

[Kaber]

Wait a minute isnt there a program for the pocket pc, if you have a wireless network card in your pocket pc if "sniffs" out any signals and gives you the info...

It is called MiniStumbler. It is the Pocket PC version of NetStumbler. It only works with a certain set of WiFi cards. No Pocket PCs with internal WiFi are supported yet... IIRC.

I run it everywhere I go so I don't think I'd need this gadget.

Oh and there's also PocketWarrior.

[RHighley]

I purchased a Kensington WiFi Finder for $25 during a Best Buy sale a couple of weeks ago. I returned it within the week.
The device indicated no signal in places where there was a strong signal and indicated a weak/medium signal in places where there was no signal. Maybe my device was defective and other devices work well; but, my impression of the particular device that I had was that illumination of the LEDs was just this side of random.