bluetooth internet access without phone?

[kumar303]

Hi.
I'm looking into buying the Tungsten T2 but wasn't clear on exactly how the internet access works. It says you can connect one of two ways -- by hooking up the PDA to a bluetooth compatible phone and then by connecting to a "bluetooth network access point."

My question is: what exactly is the other, non-phone-dependent internet option? It appears that a bluetooth network access point goes between the PDA and a wireless router... or is it in fact a wireless router? .. one that could be used with any other wireless internet card?

My main interest would be connecting to the internet at a public wireless point without a phone/ISP account, such as a cafe that provides wireless internet. Is this possible? Would the cafe need to have some sort of bluetooth capability built into their router? Or would it be enough to bring a bluetooth network access point to connect the PDA to the wireless router?

It seems to me that if I am going to get a PDA with an infrared port and internet capabilities, why not get one that can connect to any wireless LAN? If the Tungsten T doesn't do this, does anyone know of a PDA that can?

thanks in advance, Kumar

[Paul K]

Dear Kumar
OK, The " Non Phone " Connections first. To connect to the internet with your pda through bluetooth would require
1. A valid ISP account
2. A bluetooth dongle (This plugs into a usb port on your home PC).
Unfortunatly I don't know of any cafe's or public wireless sites that offer bluetooth access.

I do know of many WiFi access sites.
You could utilize WiFi to do what you want to do but you would need a WiFi card for your PDA. Unfortunatly one wont be available until later this year (At least that is the rumor). Now Palm does make a PDA with internal WiFi access and that is the Palm Tungsten C. You can look at it's specifications here:
http://www.palmone.com/us/products/handhelds/tungsten-c/
I think it will do exactly what your looking to do.
I hope I helped some
Good Luck
Paul