Answer:
First of all, note the difference between the PDA/PocketPC
device-makers, and the wireless technology companies who make it
possible for the devices to communicate. Also, there are wireless
signal carriers such as Cingular and Motient, who are also players in
the industry. Wireless technologies such as Bluetooth and Blackberry
are independent of the actual devices--although these companies also
make their own devices (confusing enough?)-- and can work on some
devices but not others--usually the device makers have an integrated
service from one or the other or their own proprietary technology.
Below I have outlined the major current offerings of PDAs/Pocket PCs
according to your outlined question:
(Note: The average PDA/handheld wireless-capable device is around
$550, with the average monthly service charge for wireless access at
around $40/month for a few hours of usage).
1) Palm (3 wireless options),
Palm Option 1: Palm i705 handheld
Palm Option 2:Bluetooth SDIO and wireless PAN (Personal Area Network)
and
Palm Option 3: mobile phone connectivity (available for m125, m500 and
m505 handhelds)
From: Palm's website at: http://www.palm.com/wireless/
2) Compaq Ipaq series
From Compaq Ipaq website:
http://www.compaq.com/products/handhelds/pocketpc/
NOTE: Compaq and HP recently merged, so their wireless services and
products including handhelds may change to reflect this in the future.
"Bundle includes: Sierra Wireless AirCard 300 CE, PC Card Expansion
Pack and the beginning of the airtime activation process (airtime
billed separately). Initial invoice is for hardware only, and order
initiates airtime activation and billing. This bundle requires 1-year
airtime contract for CDPD iPAQnet Mobile Internet, for $39.95/month
extra, using the billing information provided in the order process.
Call 1-866-iPAQnet, option 1, 1 to change airtime billing information.
Coverage not available in all areas."
3) HP Jornada series
hp jornada 568 pocket pc
$549.99
"- hp releases the hp Jornada 560 personal digital assistant, a
next generation Microsoft® Windows® powered Pocket PC
-vibrant, reflective, 16-bit color display that's clearly visible
inside and outside
- browse the web* check e-mail or connect with compatible PDAs, PCs
and expandable with CompactFlash™ slot
* Wireless Internet use requires separately purchased modem; connect
time charges may apply. Some websites/web content may be unavailable.
Check with your service provider for availability in your area."
From HP's Handhelds and Pocket Pc's webpage:
http://products.hp-at-home.com/products/sub_category.php?high_level_category_id=1&category_id=9&sub_category_id=26
4) Handspring
Treo 180, Treo 270 ("Phone, organizer, e-mail and web") (combination
PDA-phones)
http://www.handspring.com/products/communicators/index.jhtml?prod_cat_name=Communicators
5) Blackberry http://www.sessionware.com/blackberry_network_airtime_coverage.htm
BlackBerry Handheld Comparison
"**Notes: The 850 Blackberry Handheld is no longer being manufactured
by Research In Motion. Sessionware no longer offers the 850 BlackBerry
Wireless Handheld for sale, but will support this handheld for
existing Sessionware customers.
RIM BlackBerry 5810 Phone & Wireless Handheld: Detailed GPRS Network
Coverage information for the VoiceStream and AT & T Network coming
soon!"
With respect to what is good and bad about each device--consider both
the device usage itself--is it a Windows CE-based machine, or is it a
phone/PDA combo for example, (what does the user need to do with the
device?) and then consider it's wireless carrier and service plan--is
the price per month for the amount of minutes right and is the
purchase of extra equipment--such as a modem--required?
6) Research In Montion (RIM)
http://www.rim.net/products/handhelds/index.shtml
" Powerful Wireless Handhelds
"RIM Wireless Handhelds™ include the most advanced wireless technology
allowing you to send and receive email from the palm of your hand.
Creating and retrieving information is amazingly simple using the
optimized keyboard, thumb-operated trackwheel, easy-to-read backlit
screen and intuitive menu-driven interface."
Always On, Always Connected®
"With RIM Wireless Handhelds you don't need to retrieve your email.
Your email finds you. No dialing-in. No initiating connections. No
antennas to raise. No effort required. The handhelds are designed to
remain on and continuously connected to the wireless network, allowing
you to be discreetly notified as new email arrives. Now you can easily
stay in touch with your colleagues and clients while you're on the go.
"
Regarding the current state of the handheld market, read the following
article from CNN.com:
http://news.com.com/2100-1040-888571.html
Regarding wireless handhelds specifically, see "Handheld industry sees
hope in wireless": http://news.com.com/2100-1040-814416.html , also
from CNN.com.
To be successful in the wireless arena, partnerships must be
established with device makers to provide service for
widely-distributed platforms. The more flexible it is, the greater
number of different platforms it will work on, but probably in a more
general manner. Specific technologies targeted at specific devices
will result in better service for that particular platform--but will
proabably not work as well or at all on other platforms. Also, note
that this industry is extremely fast moving and subject to
change--the successful players will recognize that and pace themselves
to adapt with the changes, rather than be rendered obsolete after the
next generation of technological advancements.
Article: "Assessing a Wireless Future," from Trendspot.net.
http://www.trendsreport.net/wireless/1.html Excerpt:
" Wireless, mobility, small form factor, pervasive computing, the
anytime network - whatever name you choose - it's here. The price of
easy to handle devices which provide access to critical applications
and information is rapidly falling while the efficiencies of such
devices are increasingly apparent in both consumer and business
settings. More and more, the business user is looking to use
untethered devices to perform tasks that previously could only be
handled by the desktop PC. At the same time, the network is growing
ever more omnipresent as wireless networks begin to permeate and
hardware manufacturers adapt their products for the wireless
technology. End user adoption is skyrocketing. The next 18 months will
demonstrate a maturation period for mobile computing as the world
changes to one characterized by the untethered worker."
Article: "Carriers Line Up at Wireless Smorgasbord," from
CnetNews.com. http://news.com.com/2100-1033-840391.html Excerpt:
"Motorola, Sun Microsystems and even Thomas Dolby's wireless start-up
Beatnik unveiled products that could work on new wireless phone
networks that AT&T Wireless, Verizon Wireless and Sprint PCS are
building. "
I hope this is what you're looking for. I'd be happy to clarify any
points listed here, or to expand the answer to include a topic not
covered if it was something you expected the Answer to include.
Google search strategy: Keywords "wireless handheld providers,"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=wireless+handheld+providers&btnG=Google+Search
,
"wireless PDA services,"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=wireless+PDA+services&btnG=Google+Search
,
"wireless handhelds,"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=wireless+handhelds&btnG=Google+Search
,
"wireless PDAs" ://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=wireless+PDAs&btnG=Google+Search
,
"wireless handheld industry trends"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=wireless+handheld+industry+trends&btnG=Google+Search
,
"wireless device service plans"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=wireless+device+service+plans
,
"wireless device carriers"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=wireless+device+carriers
Have a nice day and good luck in continuing your inquiries! |
