Faster Versions of Bluetooth Under Development

And I've done a number of installs for people with BB connections who chose to use those over wireless ethernet cards rather than wired ones. The then have the flexibility to use their desktops and laptops in any room of the house. Further, they don't have to run ethernet to multiple rooms and leave that investment behind when they move. If you already have that investment, it follows that you'd consider adding a 802.11b card to their PDA as well. Would I spend that much on BT instead/as well? Probably not. At least not yet. On the other hand it becomes attractive when more devices come with bluetooth. For example I spent $80Can on a data cable for my cellphone. That cost will have to be repeated if/when I replace my cellphone. I spent another $30 on a data cable for my GPS. If you add that up and perhaps another future device or two, then you've arrived at the cost of a BlueTooth card. If we shift into a future where BT is ubiquitous enough to be included in those cellphones and GPS's as we're starting to see, then I'll end up saving money in the long run because I don't have to keep purchasing new cables (or buy them in the first place). Unlike Palm's non-universal "Universal Connector", BT stands the chance to actually become that UC. OTOH, it also remains to be seen if 802.11b couldn't serve some/all of that in ad-hoc mode. We can already make PDA to PDA connections via 802.11b ad-hoc, there's just not much you can do with it. With PalmSource hinting at improved support for 802.11b in OS5, maybe there'll be something there. For now, 802.11b is the first use I've found for that PalmOS web server app that's been around for ever ;-)

If you really need to get emails wirelessly and do it often than I can see that, but that's not very many people. Which is probably why BT in NA is a wash.

Tell me if I'm way off base here because that just doesn't seem very smart IMO."

You're way off base. Your thinking is way too limited. Bluetooth is not just for surfing the web on you palm--although it does that well. It can replace ALL your cables at once. Hotsync, Web/network access, printing, Powerpoint presentations, direct access of documents from desktop, keyboard/mouse and other periferals, and so much more. The possibilities are endless. Bluetooth, fully implemented, would be like buying one cable that connects every electronic device you own--from playing mp3's through your car stereo from your palm to having your refridgerator automatically add "buy milk" to your task list. The future of Bluetooth is exciting, and it has to start somewhere. You just need to widen your vision!

(Self-confessed Palm Geek)

Seems like by the time NA reaches where Japan and Euro are now there'll be better BT devices and faster BT MS available that would begin to trade-off the massive difference between cost and benefit.

PALM OS5 or 6 Devices with a 4Mbps BT... that's what I'm talking about.

For a quick overview of what's out there already see:
www.expansys.com/d_bluetooth.asp

Also check the following for camcorders:
http://blueunplugged.com/main.asp?option=productrange&catID=11

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russ@russb.fsnet.co.uk

Apart from Cell Phones: Palms, Win CE devices, printers, laptops, wireless in-ear headsets, video camera's, PCI and PCMICA cards are all avalible from every town's high street in UK (though we in the UK are ahead of most of Europe). Of course Japan is much farther ahead - I have no idea what their take up is like.

If updating the standard is going to kill Bluetooth, then 802.11 is dead, too. Look for the 802.11g stuff to hit stores soon.

Bluetooth works just fine to connect to a network. Check out the PicoBlue Internet Access Point
www.pico.net/products.html

Only purists care that Bluetooth was only supposed to be for keyboards and such. Everyone else has moved on.