Internet Access

[Anaheim 2002]

Is there any Pocket PC out at this moment in time or is in the works that doesnt need a cell phone to dial a connection? I know they cram a lot of technology into Pocket PCs as it is, but there must be some way they can intrigate the cell phone and Pocket PC?

[Jeff B]

You can do it with an IPAQ, and expansion sleeve, and a PC card. Most wireless providers offer cellular network PC cards (I know Verizon and Spint do).

[Anaheim 2002]

Does it have to rely on the PC though? Can it roam away like a cell phone can?

[Jeff B]

No, it stands alone. Visit Verizon or Sprint and you'll see PC cards listed among the various phone offerings. The PC card will slide into the expansion slot on an IPAQ PC card sleeve.

Note - I don't use this method to get to the net. So if I make it sound easy, it's because I'm not smart enough to know better. But I know the capability exists.

[doogald]

Ambicom (among others) make Compact Flash modems, which can be used right from the Pocket PC if you have a CF slot. There are also lots of CF WiFi cards and a few ethernet cards if you can take advantage of these high-speed connections. Finally, some cell phone providers sell cards that can be used to connect directly to their networks using cell technology without having to use a phone to "dial".

I use a 56k modem and a WiFi card myself so that I can travel with just a Pocket PC.

[Anaheim 2002]

so what are the 'away from desktop' methods of connection other than a cell phone (if any)?

what i mean is, being in somewhere remote, no cell phone, certainly no RJ45 landline connection. A CF modem needs a landline i assume?

[doogald]

Originally posted by Anaheim 2002
so what are the 'away from desktop' methods of connection other than a cell phone (if any)?

what i mean is, being in somewhere remote, no cell phone, certainly no RJ45 landline connection. A CF modem needs a landline i assume?

Well, I have never tried one myself, but I know that Verizon sells a card that they say works with Pocket PC that connects to their network directly. From what I have seen on their web site, it appears to be a PC Card, so you'd need a sleeve that lets you use a PC Card from the iPAQ.

I have no idea whether is supports only digital connections, only analog, or whether supports both. I'd guess a call to them would be worth it.

Again, the other wireless option is WiFi, but if landline is out of the question, I's assume that WiFi is as well.

All of this said: it would be cheaper to have a cell phone with cable, or a Bluetooth connection to a cell phone, than it would to get the dedicated card to the iPAQ in my opinion.

Of course the other option is to get either a Pocket PC phone edition or a Smartphone...