Personal Technology

Palm and Wireless - I

If there’s any device most suited to wireless connectivity it’s your Palm handheld computer, says Ashish Gupta. In this article he focuses on the different ways in which you can wirelessly enable your Palm, and introduces you to a truly wireless world

Let’s start with an overview of the different standards, protocols and technologies involved. You’ve probably heard these words being mentioned by your techno-geeky friends, without really understanding what these technologies really do or how they can help you.

Infrared

If you’ve ever changed a channel on your TV using a remote control, you’re already familiar with Infrared. If you haven’t, it’s time you started fighting for the remote. The remote control is equipped with an Infrared transmitter and the TV is equipped with an Infrared receiver. When you press a button on your TV remote control, a signal is sent via Infrared to the TV’s Infrared receiver. The TV then interprets the command and does your bidding. You Palm handheld computer can both transmit and receive data using its built-in Infrared port. You can use this to play games with other users, beam electronic business cards, transfer files and documents. Even chat across the table during a meeting, securely, without others present being privy to your discussion. You can also program your Palm handheld computer to be your universal remote control. It can then control all your appliances—TV, VCR, music system, MP3 players, VCD/DVD players, car audio systems, etc. Changing channels or songs using your Palm handheld computer while someone else has the remote is fun, but it isn’t advisable to do it too often. But you no longer need to find or even reach out for the remote any more; it’s with you everywhere you go—like Mary’s little lamb.

Infrared is also progressively being used at airports, cafes, etc. that offer booths (much like the ubiquitous phone booth) where you can just walk in and download data onto your Palm handheld computer. Flight schedules, local city guides, or whatever’s on offer. The Infrared Data Association has recently announced the launch of the Infrared Financial Messaging (IrFM) ‘Point and Pay’ specification, a global wireless, proximity payment standard that enables true electronic payment applications to be used at ATMs, toll booths, petrol pumps, kiosks, etc. Connecting wirelessly to the Internet will be covered later in this article.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is used to create your own Wireless Personal Area Network. With all the buzz about wireless technologies, you may have wondered which wireless technology is the best, and worthy of your investments. Here you must realise that no single wireless technology or standard is the ‘best.’ Each standard is used for different purposes and in different scenarios. They are complementing technologies, not competing technologies. Bluetooth, unlike Infrared, does not rely on line-of-sight communication. This means that you can be in one room, while still communicating with a device in another room. Bluetooth uses radio frequency, much like your trusty radio, to communicate. It communicates over the 2.4 GHz band.

To make use of Bluetooth on your Palm handheld computer, you need to attach a Bluetooth Wireless Card or insert a Bluetooth SD card into the SD slot. Once your Palm handheld computer is Bluetooth enabled, it can communicate with any other Bluetooth enabled device. Thus, you can transfer data to a Bluetooth enabled PC, Synchronize without having to place your Palm into a cradle, print directly to your printer, transfer data to and from your cellular phone, etc.

Use Bluetooth-enabled handhelds to silently share thoughts, notes and ideas with others during meetings or presentations. If someone you know also has a Bluetooth enabled Palm handheld computer, you can play wireless games, chat, etc. even if you are in different rooms. However, Bluetooth is limited to about 10 metres.

Bluetooth got its name from Harald Bluetooth, a Viking and king of Denmark from the years 940 to 981, who was renowned for his ability to help people communicate. During his reign, he united Denmark and Norway.

To be continued…

Although this article is intended to be a guide to enable you to understand wireless technologies using a Palm handheld computer in both personal and business environments, detailed configurations, settings, and security precautions are beyond the scope of this article, simply because of the endless combinations and specific settings required for these combinations. However, if you’re trying out any of the methods explained above, or are interested in trying out any of the technologies explained here, feel free to e-mail the author.

Ashish Gupta is the founder and president of The Indian Palm User Group. He can be reached at ash@notcomguys.com or http://palm.notcomguys.com ... Feedback, questions and comments will be entertained, and appreciated. Technical support questions will be answered. IPUG Website: www.notcomguys.com/palm