07-13-2003, 06:33 AM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,060
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Find Hotspots Even More Quickly
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.
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.
"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?"
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 $22.
But what do YOU think? Is this a useful little tool or simply another toy to feed my technophilia?
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07-13-2003, 06:39 AM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 65
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You may get a signal, but can you use it? Will this wonderkin tell me if there WEP enabled?
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07-13-2003, 07:01 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 115
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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:
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07-13-2003, 07:07 AM
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Magi
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,386
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by makic
You may get a signal, but can you use it? Will this wonderkin tell me if there WEP enabled?
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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...
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Brad Adrian
But what do YOU think? Is this a useful little tool or simply another toy to feed my technophilia?
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...I'll take an order of these, please!! 
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07-13-2003, 07:48 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 179
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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.
__________________
ConnectedMobiles.com - Windows Mobile connected Smartphones and Pocket PCs
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07-13-2003, 08:02 AM
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Pupil
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 40
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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
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07-13-2003, 08:10 AM
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Philosopher
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 545
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DUMB!
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!
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07-13-2003, 08:23 AM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 97
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Yeah I think for a wi-fi PDA user there is actually little benefit... But still, nice "geek-toy".
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07-13-2003, 09:23 AM
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Mystic
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,911
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I just use my e740. There is no need to carry another device.
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07-13-2003, 09:25 AM
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Ponderer
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 77
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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
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