Wireless help needed (Bluetooth vs 802.11b for PPC)

[jjordan]

I'd like to play multiplayer games, share data, etc with other PPC's in an ad-hoc fashion (peer to peer, not via an access point). Ideally I'd like to do this via bluetooth, since bluetooth potential-rich with future things coming out (cell phone, access points, voice, etc), but would go with 802.11b if necessary.

Are there any good guides out there on what you can and can't do with these technologies, using CURRENT capabilities from the hardware, and applications? I'd like to play multiplayer games, share contact/misc data, link to a bluetooth cellphone, access my cablemodem via an access point, etc.

I'm looking for a low-cost, lowest-power use, highest functionality in communicating with other friends also looking to get a pocketpc. I will probably be setting the standard by my recommendations and purchase, so I'd really appreciate a large amount of input on this.

(FYI, I'm looking at purchasing the new 64mb HP Pocket PC 2002 series, with CF1 card capability.)

Please reply with good cards, apps, sites, etc that can help me on my quest for PPC wireless paradise.

Thanks!

[T¹]

I use Bluetooth and can fully recommend it's use. Unless you *really* need the increased bandwidth of 802.11b, the advantages of bluetooth a plenty: While both technologies are rare at the moment, bluetooth should be widespread soon, and the convenience of using a BT enabled phone is unparalled. Also, there are very few wireless games available (about 2 i think!), although that should change soon, since the introduction of DirectPlay. However, the chances of one of your friends using BT is much higher than them having 802.11b.

I suppose the choice comes down to whether you wish to use it mainly for sharing resources with a PC. If so, i suppose 802.11b would be better, but for general wireless use, i'd opt for BT. I think battery usage is also better with BT, but don't quote me on that.

You've said that you wish to purchase HP's 568. I wouldn't recommend it as there is only one expansion slot and it's not even CFII (often used for wireless cards). This would mean that, when you use a wireless card, you have no other expansion available. I use an Ipaq 3870 (with built-in BT) which also has an SD slot for expansion. Battery life is also one of the best for a PPC, which is useful as wireless networking is battery-hungry. I would recommend this setup to anyone, but failing that, i would at least recommend a PPC with 2 expansion slots (Toshiba e570, Casio E200, Nec PocketGear), so that you have a slot left for expansion.

[brntcrsp]

or you could buy a Jornada 56x and get an expansion battery so you have the best battery life all PPCs, and use your choice of 11b or bluetooth.

[T¹]

...Or you could buy the E200 with the PC card sleeve, and have the best battery life possible, and also have four different methods of expansion including CFII (the format in which many wireless cards are released).

[jjordan]

I'm most likely to buy the new Journada because I can get it through my own business, effectively putting money back into my own pocket for buying it. Secondly, I can refer others to my business after they start drooling over its' capabilities.

Regarding expandability, while it doesn't have BT built in (another reason I want it, due to some security people I work with not wanting wireless in the building), it does have a PC-Card expansion as well as SD capability with it's battery. It also has a sharp little keyboard cover to it. Lastly, when I don't want to be using BT, I can use *cheap* CF memory cards, WiFi CF card, Modem card, etc without requiring an expansion sleeve, adding bulk.

Thanks for your recommendation though, I looked at the new Ipaq for a good while, as well as the Casio, but in total the HP seems best for me.

As far as doing stuff with other users via Bluetooth, what are some capabilities you have, things you've done, etc? Have you played PocketQuake or anything like that via BT?

Do you have a BT access point for your LAN? I'd love to sync wirelessly.

Thanks.

[jjordan]

btw, Socket has a CF1 WiFi and an upcoming BT card that supports lan profile, etc.

[James S]

What is the range of Bluetooth and 802.11? I'm planning on setting up a wireless router in my dorm room so I can sit by the pool or play in the gym and still go online, since my dorm room is less than 500 feet from those places I thought 802.11b's range would be best. I was also planning on selling wireless connections to my router to help pay for it

[RICoder]

So, what's the deal exactly? Can you put in a BT access point on a lan? I have a CF 10/100 card that I use to link to my lan, and I have 802.11b hooked up, but I don't use it with my PPC because I use it at work also. My point being that if I could get a BT card and put in a LAN access point, then I could go BT and still be able to hook up to my network at home, which is really more important to me than being able to beam porn from one street corner to another.

[RICoder]

*shuffle shuffle*

I went and did some research. It works out like this.

Moose, you can gut ~250ft inside and ~1200ft outside with 802.11b, but only at 6mbps, and it depends on your equipment.

Bluetooth access points for LANs are out there, but they are hard to come by, so gettin' one is no easy deal.

There is much talk of ubiquitous bluetooth coming...but I will wait and see. For my money, I would go and get a 802.11b card. It'll be cheaper than bluetooth overall, because you don't need the extra router for LAN use.

[James S]

A window and a street don't count as "indoors" do they? I could... uhm... leave the window open, I suppose, if that would help

1200 feet outdoors eh? Well heck, I could almost get it in the computer/business hall with that far of a range! I might be able to service the entire campus with my one access point!

[RwGast]

isnt 802.11a suppose to have long range access like a half mile or something? The price is also coming way down on 11a onlt problem is it isnt 11b hardware compatible so if you already own 11b nics its not very practical .

[James S]

Give me some information on .11a, too. I need the range and don't care if it's only 1MB/s.

[RwGast]

Go to d-link they sell kits and have info about it. Im not sure of the speed but its also faster than 11b!

[James S]

[RwGast]

uhhh hows about . Im not sure on the range but i know its alot farther than 802.11b the dlink kits should tell you the range.