New Bluetooth Add-on for Palm Vx

Posted By: Ed Wednesday, August 1, 2001 3:06:26 PM

Red-M, a supplier of advanced Bluetooth networking products, has just launched the Red-M Blade, a Bluetooth clip-on for the Palm Vx, giving it short-range wireless networking capabilities. Its design allows the handheld to be placed in its cradle without removing the clip-on. Combined with Red-M's BladeLink software, connection in the office, home, or on the road is seamless and automatic. It will be available in retail stores this month for $200.

When in the office or at home, the Red-M Blade can link to a Bluetooth network, such as that provided by Red-M's 3000AS access server and 1000AP access point devices, to allow access to local information and the Internet.

When out of the office the Red-M Blade can connect to a Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone to allow access to the Internet. It will identify and can connect with other authorized Bluetooth devices, such as a PC, to allow wireless synchronization. It can also communicate with other Bluetooth-enabled Palm powered devices for applications like game playing.

It uses the Palm's own internal battery and the company estimates that a charge will last both devices for two days with normal use.

Red-M’s Bluetooth management software allows users to view a list of all of the devices to which they are able to connect, this includes both personal end points such as PCs, PDAs, phones and also access points in a network. This lets users establish a connection from wherever they are within the Bluetooth network. If required, the user can restrict the number of devices and connect to only specific devices.

Many of the device's features are provided via software that is installed on the Palm. Upgrades that will support additional features and enhanced connectivity will be downloadable from the company's Web site.

John Cook, senior director of product marketing at Palm, Inc., adds, "We are delighted that Red-M is implementing a Bluetooth wireless application. The Red-M Blade combines the benefits of Bluetooth with the power of the Palm handheld to enable wireless access to relevant information."

About Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a specification for a small form-factor, low-cost, radio connection providing links between mobile computers, mobile phones and other portable and handheld devices, and connectivity to the Internet. The Bluetooth Special Interest Group, made up of leaders in the telecommunications, computing, and network industries, is driving development of the technology and bringing it to market. The Bluetooth SIG includes promoter companies 3Com, Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Lucent, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia, Palm and Toshiba, and more than 1,800 adopter companies.

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Yawn

RoofusPennymore @ 8/1/2001 4:52:24 PM #

I'd rather have 802.11.

RE: Yawn

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/1/2001 5:12:27 PM #

Right, but you need a big battery pack too!!

connect to what?

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/1/2001 6:05:19 PM #

Anyone actually have any blue teeth lying around the house? Ever actually see any blue tooth stuff at the computer store? What the hell is this going to connect me with? This reminds me of that Dilbert cartoon where he is the first one to buy a video phone and is waiting for someone else to get one and call him.

For now anyway bluetooth is code for utterly useless

RE: connect to what?

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/1/2001 6:59:41 PM #

Maybe for you Yanks but over here in Europe we can buy the Ericsson R520 and T39 phones with Bluetooth. Nice for once to have something before it appears in the States.

RE: connect to what?

frauen1 @ 8/1/2001 8:15:57 PM #

Lots of PC cards are available for bluetooth - don't need the 802.11b access point, it's a little cheaper if you want wireless based on a standard (as opposed to non-standard stuff such as the Acer WarpLink and such). Biggest turn-off is the 1MBit rate - it's a little slow.

Where's my Palm iiic adaptor?

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/1/2001 8:44:26 PM #

Sucks spending megabucks on a pda and none of the cool addons (parachute, wireless modems) fit it. Guess Vx is the 'corporate standard'.

Yank?

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/1/2001 9:11:51 PM #

You talkin' da me?

Bluetooth?

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/2/2001 1:24:09 AM #

Your palm should be supporting the Yellow Tooth standard. Geez, I'm joking!

RE: connect to what?

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/2/2001 11:41:14 AM #

1Mbit is not slow. Even 33MHz Dragonball will not be able to saturate a 1Mbit link. And, if the app is written with 'Zen of Palm' in mind, it shouldn't need much bandwidth to perform well.

RE: connect to what?

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/2/2001 1:15:53 PM #

There is no free lunch, you want 11Mb, you need to carry a bigger battery. Bluetooth is designed for slower transmission rate for SOME cases, not all to save cost and battery!! It is not a disadvantage.

too late, too early, and too expensive...

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/2/2001 3:29:45 PM #

It comes:

1)too late: V/Vx is fading out of the market;

2) too early: is anyone actually using bluetooth?

3) too expensive: $200? I doubt how many can they sell.

In fact, I really hope that there is an add-on for V/Vx which can add more memory or accessary (turning my old reliable Vx to M500-like).... anyone has an idea who is doing it now?