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Domain: wapforum.org

Stories and comments across the archive that link to wapforum.org.

Stories · 3

  1. Looking For Wireless Handheld E-Mail And Web?

    Ask · Internet · · posted by Cliff · from the office-liberating-geek-toys dept. · 130 comments
    dspyder asks: "I'm currently looking for a good solution for wireless email and minimal Web surfing (stock quotes, weather, traffic, movie showtimes, driving directions?). Since it seems WAP is a ways off, I'm looking at other solutions. What other options are they for very small, portable and cheap wireless Internet and e-mail access from a pager-like device?? Or should I just wait for more WAP products and services to come out?? I really like the RIM device, and something along the lines of $50/mo for the GoAmerica service including rental (or lease or rent to buy) of the box would be an instant sale. Anyone know of anything?" There's a bunch of information in here on the subject. If your idea of networking is -not- sitting at your desk and twiddling thumbs while the mailer reloads...this topic may be for you.

    "I see Blackberry has an offering but it appears to be e-mail only. It uses the RIM Interactive Pager from Research in Motion. It looks like you can use the same device and get Internet email service through RCN. Price is about $40-$45 including rental of the box? To get web access, it appears you can do it through GoAmerica but they make you buy the RIM box (about $299). Service is $60 per month, ouch! Service is provided by Bell Atlantic Wireless Data and coverage is excellent. I saw these guys and played with the unit at Sring Internet World last week and I really liked it but the cost is too prohibitive. Wolfetech also appears to support the RIM with their PocketGenie software and their service is only $29.95/mo but they don't say if that includes the wireless access or if that fee is just for their content.

    I already have a Palm III so don't want to purchase a Palm VII because their service is pay per character only and the coverage is lousy. I would rather not get a Minstrel as it's too bulky and the coverage is lousy in my area. Although GoAmerica has a good deal on it at $99 and $49.95 for the service.

    I would consider getting an Internet Ready phone, but my provider, Cellular 1 SF, doesn't offer any service. I don't want to switch to PCS because the phone quality is awful out here. The display on the phones is also really limiting.

    There are services (usually free) that e-mail things to your text pager or text messaging cellphone, but I don't like the push model. Web Wireless Now has a neat hack, where you call a number and it picks up your caller ID and text messages you your preselected content but it seems really limited and I doubt it works when you're roaming. The added cost of the text messaging feature which could get expensive with heavy use."

    If there are any current users of these services, I'm sure there would be readers here interested if the assesments here match with your experiences. What other alternatives for wireless Web and e-mail access exist and what do you all think of them?

  2. Geoworks Demands Royalties For All WAP Apps

    Yro · Patents · · posted by Roblimo · from the enforcing-patents-after-the-technology-is-in-use dept. · 194 comments
    Ian Davis writes "This Geoworks Press Release announces that they have U.S. and Japanese patents dating from 1994 covering some the essentials of the WAP and WML specs. They're demanding a license fee of $20,000 per year from all WAP phone manufacturers as well as WAP site owners. The WAP Forum have acknowledged the patent and their policy is to allow it provided the owners provide fair access to the technology covered. What do people think? Is this a fatal blow to U.S.-based WAP startups? Will it give the Europeans an even bigger lead in the WAP market?" The $20,000/year fee for WAP Web site operators is only for companies with $1 million or more in annual revenue. This _may_ not be as bad as it sounds.

  3. PCS Phone + UP.Browser == Killer App?

    Ask · Technology · · posted by Cliff · from the oooh!-I-want-one dept. · 47 comments
    gkostolny asks: "So I've had a Sprint PCS phone for about a year, and I finally decided to upgrade. I ran across a new Samsung SCH-3500 for $119 at Fry's and jumped on it. After waiting very impatiently for a day and a half, the 'Wireless Web' capability was activated, and I've been going crazy with it. You can access pages written in HDML and WML on the phone, and the default menus include yahoo, mapquest and infospace. This afternoon, I was able to go into the Yellow Pages, punch in the name 'Computer Literacy' (a local bookseller) and my zip code, and it came back with the number. I selected 'call', and was connected and able to ask if they had a book on WAP in stock. My question is, has anyone else played with these phones much, and if so, what do you think? Is implementing sites and various online capabilities for them worthwhile? Will wireless be the next big wave? (And are there any good reference books on this stuff?)"