Discussion on:

10 things to look for in a PDA/cell phone

Have you been wading through the PDA/cell phone options trying to choose the right equipment and services for your organization? Do you have any advice or recommendations (either pro or con) for others who are in the same boat?

so here's the link - saves me typing it all up again!

http://techrepublic.com.com/5208-6230-0.html?forumID=102&threadID=203906&messageID=2120873



GG

(I've always been ahead of my time...... )

With some of the smartphones, you can now get WiFi. What is this used for?

it is used for on a computer or laptop.

Quite simply WiFi will provide a fast Internet connection at suitable 'hotspots'. Many spots are free, while other need some service subscription. Once on the Internet, you could connect (VPN) to remote system at work or home, or even make free phone calls by using a service like Skype.

In case you have not; I have used mine to check and troubleshoot wireless connections. Conduct wireless surveys of already installed systems for upgrades or new building additions. It also allows me to access internal network documents and servers on the fly with out always pulling out the laptop. And of course anytime you need unfiltered internet access you can always switch off Wifi and use the cellular network. Wifi speed is always faster than 3G when ever you need data or email access. I can't do it with Sprint, but if you have VOIP or Vonage you can make free data calls with out using your voice minutes.

"T-Mobile, for example, predominantly relies upon GSM in the United States, whereas Verizon leverages a CDMA-based voice infrastructure and 3G-powered data network. Sprint/Nextel, meanwhile, utilizes a 3G wireless data network but is moving to the 3G EV-DO standard, whereas Cingular maintains a GSM network for voice service and GPRS and EDGE for data."

Not entirely accurate.

Better to turn this into a chart:

Carrier / Voice / Data

Cingular / GSM / GPRS & EDGE
Cingular-legacy / TDMA / none
Nextel-legacy / iDEN w/ opt. GSM / iDEN
Sprint / CDMA / EV-DO, Rev. A
T-Mobile / GSM / GPRS
Verizon / CDMA / EV-DO (Rev. A rollout in progress)

It's also important to note for travelers that
frequencies complicate compatibility. CDMA is used outside of North America, but those nations use different frequencies which North American cellphones can't use. Only GSM phones can be used in both North America and the rest of the world, but many GSM 'world-band' phones only have 1800MHz capability for overseas use, and lack the 900MHz often needed when travelling.

Inaccuracy in article:
Cingular/AT&T Mobility has EDGE deployed across the entire network, and has high speed 3G HSPA deployed in 166 major markets, with 70 being added this year.

Are new PDAs (without phone) other than Palm scheduled to come out any time soon?

i like very much mobile phones