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Mobile & Wireless UPDATE, November 7, 2002

Mobile & Wireless UPDATEbrought to you by the Windows & .NET Magazine Network
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November 7, 2002—In this issue:

1. MOBILE & WIRELESS PERSPECTIVES

  • Palm Tungsten-T
  • Tablet PC Launch

2. MOBILE & WIRELESS NEWS & VIEWS

  • Toshiba Pocket PC Recall
  • Dell Plans a Pocket PC
  • Mobile Device Management

3. ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • Give Us Your Feedback and Be Entered to Win a Digital Camera
  • The Storage Solutions You've Been Searching for!

4. INSTANT POLL

  • Results of Previous Poll: Securing Your PDA
  • New Instant Poll: Tablet PC Launch

5. RESOURCE

  • Tip: MobilePro Help
  • Event Highlight: COMDEX Fall 2002

6. NEW AND IMPROVED

  • Connect to Other Bluetooth Devices
  • Fill In Coverage Gaps to Base Stations

7. CONTACT US

  • See this section for a list of ways to contact us.

1. MOBILE & WIRELESS PERSPECTIVES
(contributed by John D. Ruley, [email protected])

  • PALM TUNGSTEN-T

  • Earlier this month, Palm rolled out its Tungsten-T handheld device, the first device based on Palm OS 5, which runs on ARM-compatible processors (similar to those that Pocket PC 2002 devices use). This device is also the first Palm OS device to combine built-in Bluetooth wireless functionality with a color display and the first to offer voice recording.

    Palm has cleverly designed the Tungsten-T, which is just 4" x 3" x .6" when closed. The device slides open (adding .8" to its length) to reveal a writing surface for built-in Graffiti text recognition. The Tungsten-T also offers dual expansion ports, a Palm Universal Connector, and an SDRAM slot. The device weighs less than 6 ounces. Its list price is $499.

    I haven't formally tested the Tungsten-T, but I've had a chance to briefly play with one of the devices. The clever slide-open case seems to work well and makes the device truly pocket-sized when closed. Also, it has by far the most impressive display of any Palm OS device to date: full color with good contrast and a bright backlight. What I'm really looking forward to, though, is a device that combines the Tungsten-T design with the i705 device's wireless functionality. I think such a device is forthcoming because Palm is also using the Tungsten name for its wireless email server.

    To recover from its missteps during the past year and a half, Palm simply must get Tungsten right. I'm extremely interested in feedback from early adopters: If you or a coworker has a Tungsten-T, please write and tell me about it. For more information, go to the following URL.
    http://www.palm.com/products/handhelds/tungsten-t

  • TABLET PC LAUNCH

  • As you read this newsletter, Microsoft is hosting a Tablet PC launch event in New York City. Windows & .NET Magazine contributor Paul Thurrott will be attending the event, and you'll be able to read his impressions at the following URL.
    http://www.winnetmag.com/Articles/Index.cfm?ArticleID=27185

    2. MOBILE & WIRELESS NEWS & VIEWS
    (contributed by John D. Ruley, [email protected])

  • TOSHIBA POCKET PC RECALL

  • Toshiba is recalling certain e740 Pocket PCs. Data loss can occur on these devices if the battery is completely discharged or is removed from the unit. See the following PDF file for affected serial numbers.
    http://cdgenp01.csd.toshiba.com/content/product/pdf_files/e740_ProductUpdate_102102.pdf

  • DELL PLANS A POCKET PC

  • Multiple sources are reporting that Dell will soon introduce a Pocket PC device. The announcement will probably occur at COMDEX later this month, with deliveries expected in time for Christmas. According to at least two sources, the new device will be priced less than $300. For further information, see the following URLs.
    http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/2002Oct/bpd20021007016677.htm
    http://www.bargainpda.com/default.asp?newsID=896
    http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/54/27824.html

  • MOBILE DEVICE MANAGEMENT

  • An IDC report states that the mobile device management market grew by almost 50 percent in 2001 and that analysts expect continued growth to more than $700 million by 2006. IDC also sees a continued split between Palm and Microsoft in the market for embedded devices in vertical markets.
    http://www.idc.com

    3. ANNOUNCEMENTS
    (brought to you by Windows & .NET Magazine and its partners)

  • GIVE US YOUR FEEDBACK AND BE ENTERED TO WIN A DIGITAL CAMERA

  • Internet filtering is becoming a financial and legal concern for companies of all sizes. Complete our brief survey about the topic and you could win a digital camera. Click here!

  • THE STORAGE SOLUTIONS YOU'VE BEEN SEARCHING FOR!

  • Our popular IT Buyers' Directories (ITBDs) are online catalogs of the hottest vendor solutions around. Our latest ITBD highlights the solutions and services that will help you effectively manage your enterprises' storage. Download your copy today!
    http://www.itbuynet.com/pdf/1102-itbd-storage.pdf

    4. INSTANT POLL

  • RESULTS OF PREVIOUS POLL: SECURING YOUR PDA

  • The voting has closed in Windows & .NET Magazine's Mobile & Wireless Solutions nonscientific Instant Poll for the question, "How do you secure your PDA?" Here are the results (+/-1 percent) from the 35 votes:
    - 40% Basic password protection
    -  3% Enhanced password protection and device locking through third-party utility
    -  9% Application or data encryption
    - 49% I don't

  • NEW INSTANT POLL: TABLET PC LAUNCH

  • The next Instant Poll question is, "Are you attending, or will you attend, a Tablet PC launch event?" Go to the Mobile & Wireless Solutions Web site and submit your vote for a) Yes or b) No.
    http://www.mobile-and-wireless.com

    5. RESOURCES

  • TIP: MOBILEPRO HELP

  • (contributed by John D. Ruley, [email protected])

    A friend recently asked me to help him troubleshoot an obsolete NEC MobilePro device, which he purchased on eBay and received without manuals or software. I've used a MobilePro 770 for a while, and after a bit of research found information at NEC's Web site, including downloadable user guides in .PDF format, service packs, and drivers. Of course, to synchronize a MobilePro (or other Windows CE device) with a desktop PC, you also need Microsoft ActiveSync.

  • EVENT HIGHLIGHT: COMDEX FALL 2002

  • November 18 through 22, 2002
    Las Vegas, Nevada

    At this year's COMDEX, enjoy free high-speed wireless Internet access onsite at four wireless connecting points located throughout the Las Vegas Convention Center. Symbol is deploying its Mobius Wireless System for improved mobility performance, enhanced security, easier management, and lower total cost of ownership (TCO). Check your email, surf the Net, or send a message home. Use one of the provided laptops or bring your own device with an 802.11b (Wi-Fi) wireless LAN (WLAN) card.

    COMDEX sessions will include a presentation by John Ruley, Mobile & Wireless UPDATE contributing editor, called "On the Road with Windows XP and the Tablet PC." The session will feature live demonstrations of Tablet PC devices from several vendors.

    For other upcoming events, check out the Windows & .NET Magazine Event Calendar.
    http://www.winnetmag.com/events

    6. NEW AND IMPROVED
    (contributed by Carolyn Mader, [email protected])

  • CONNECT TO OTHER BLUETOOTH DEVICES

  • D-Link released the D-Link PersonalAir DBT-120, a 2.4GHz Bluetooth USB wireless network adapter. The device works with PCs and Macintosh systems and provides a wireless connectivity experience within a Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN). The adapter searches for and identifies other devices with similar profiles that are within range, and a user can then connect to one or multiple discovered devices. Pricing is $59.99. Contact D-Link at 800-326-1688.
    http://www.dlink.com

  • FILL IN COVERAGE GAPS TO BASE STATIONS

  • Wave Wireless Networking released SPEEDLAN 9000 2.0, a broadband wireless router that lets the user choose between star, mesh, or point-to-point deployment. The SPEEDLAN 9000 is a scalable platform that can grow with your business. The router can route your signal around obstructions such as hills, trees, or larger buildings that are preventing some locations from communicating directly with a base station. For pricing, contact Wave Wireless at 941-907-2300.
    http://www.wavewireless.com

    7. CONTACT US
    Here's how to reach us with your comments and questions:

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