So you're basically saying it can't play DIVX. The problem is that you lose quality and integrity when the files move onto the device, because it's changing the format for you. They could have just provided more codecs, and avoided the whole mess.
I was talking about modules which don't physically connect to the device at all. I could have sworn that SpringBoards had to be plugged into the device, and furthermore, that they only worked on Handspring devices. We need sensible levels of compatibility if anything like that is going to expect to take off in a big way.
Bluetooth has enough bandwidth to stream video and audio. And I was merely using the Tungsten as an example, since you seemed to be under the impression that it couldn't be used for net access at all.:-)
And "hobbyist hacking device?" You'd have to be a pretty hardcore "hobbyist" to shell out $1000 for a Bluetooth access point. I think most people would qualify that thing more as an enterprise product, along with the several other access points that the other guy pointed out, thus saving my time.:-)
I don't think Bluetooth is competing with Wi-Fi, no. But only because the bandwidth is different.
But no good for streaming data? Come off! Maybe you haven't heard, but us Tungsten owners all get our Internet access via either Bluetooth to a phone, or Bluetooth to a PC or access point. I can say without hesitation that the download speeds are quite usable, and certainly more than enough for simple browsing. We've been getting internet access via Bluetooth long before the Wi-Fi card showed up just last week.
As for Bluetooth network routers, do you mean something like the Possio PX30? That thing looks something like what you might call a wireless "router", only it can provide Bluetooth access as well.
I know that when my phone connects via Bluetooth to a PC, it has no idea that it's a PC, but thinks it's a modem. In theory, the same PDA could talk to a 3G phone, having no idea that it's a 3G phone.
Reasonably small. The PalmOne Tungsten series are pretty much ideal, though, which is what I own anyway. And it has to look good, but that's a given.
Syncs to Linux;
Java support out of the box, in a profile which doesn't suck. I'm talking to you, Palm! MIDP 2.0 is NOT OKAY! Personal Profile MINIMUM!
Wi-Fi built-in, and with the software for tracking down the local networks;
Web browser and Jabber clients both built-in. I should't need to install this stuff separately. Install everything on the device and let me delete it as I wish. Deleting apps is far quicker than installing them, after all.
Bluetooth built-in, with every sensible profile implemented in the protocol stack. For instance, don't skimp on the fucking headset profile. Once again, I'm talking to Palm when I say this, since they have a media player and Bluetooth on the T3, but no support for Bluetooth headsets. Wake the fuck up.
Drivers for everything that makes sense to use with the device. Having an SDIO slot, and yet not being able to run an SDIO device just doesn't sit right in my head. SDIO Wi-Fi cards have been around for quite some time, and them not working out of the box paints a poor picture of SDIO's alleged compatibility.
GPS support, but only via the Bluetooth. Don't bulk up the handheld by building it in, just talk remotely. I don't want a phone and a PDA, both with built-in GPS. That's called redundancy.
I like the idea of external modules. Why build a camera into a PDA, when you can build Bluetooth into the PDA, and Bluetooth into a camera? The two will then be able to talk. Why build a phone into a PDA, when again, you could just talk remotely? And of course, we're already seeing the beginnings of this. Phone to PDA is pretty common, Bluetooth GPS systems are starting to emerge. How long for Bluetooth storage, I wonder?
The only thing which doesn't really fit into this ideal is the wifi, due to the bandwidth difference between the two. Who knows, maybe there will be a Bluetooth2 one day which fixes this relatively minor issue.
Personally, I wanted a Linux phone, as it would have meant some semblance of power, without the niggling thought in the back of my mind that it was going to crash the next time I got an incoming call. I own a Linux router, which has already had its warranty broken via third-party firmware. I had to sacrifice the Linux PDA for something better supported, but I think I might repair that in a couple of years if things improve.
We're seeing a nice insurgence in the set-top box arena, too. I bet that by the time I need to actually upgrade from my Xbox, there will be a nice, even more free solution available off the shelf.:-)
Java programmability is almost as good, as long as the support is up to scratch. Some recent phones are pretty good, and have everything right up to the Bluetooth API. Some other phones barely handle MIDP 1.0. The worst thing is, this could even occur on the same OS. On Symbian 7.0, there are Java implementations at both ends of the scale.:-/
And yet, if I went out to try and buy a mobile phone which runs Linux for the geek value, I wouldn't be able to find one. Maybe it's in the wrong embedded markets...
So tell me, how do you get a piece of hardware to work on Windows when it doesn't plug and play? It would be neat to get Windows to recognise my PS/2 mouse, since it currently can't.
Re: the word "handtop" (slightly off-topic)
on
Handtop Roundup
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· Score: 1
Whatever happened to the word "Palmtop" anyway? And I thought "Handtop" was a trademark for a specific model of Palmtop...
You'd need something different to one-handed Dvorak though. These things look like you end up typing with your thumbs most of the time, unless you're lucky enough to have two hands free. But the one-handed Dvorak layout assumes you have a whole hand to type with.
You know what, though, the Linksys router I bought allowed you to upgrade the firmware via the web interface. And via TFTP from Linux, too. Maybe you just bought the wrong router.;-)
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So you're basically saying it can't play DIVX. The problem is that you lose quality and integrity when the files move onto the device, because it's changing the format for you. They could have just provided more codecs, and avoided the whole mess.
I was talking about modules which don't physically connect to the device at all. I could have sworn that SpringBoards had to be plugged into the device, and furthermore, that they only worked on Handspring devices. We need sensible levels of compatibility if anything like that is going to expect to take off in a big way.
Bluetooth has enough bandwidth to stream video and audio. And I was merely using the Tungsten as an example, since you seemed to be under the impression that it couldn't be used for net access at all. :-)
And "hobbyist hacking device?" You'd have to be a pretty hardcore "hobbyist" to shell out $1000 for a Bluetooth access point. I think most people would qualify that thing more as an enterprise product, along with the several other access points that the other guy pointed out, thus saving my time. :-)
Right, so it can't play DIVX. That's a bit disappointing for something which claims to play "media"... 99% of my "media" is in DIVX and XVID format.
I don't think Bluetooth is competing with Wi-Fi, no. But only because the bandwidth is different.
But no good for streaming data? Come off! Maybe you haven't heard, but us Tungsten owners all get our Internet access via either Bluetooth to a phone, or Bluetooth to a PC or access point. I can say without hesitation that the download speeds are quite usable, and certainly more than enough for simple browsing. We've been getting internet access via Bluetooth long before the Wi-Fi card showed up just last week.
As for Bluetooth network routers, do you mean something like the Possio PX30? That thing looks something like what you might call a wireless "router", only it can provide Bluetooth access as well.
Okay, I meant PDA the first time. So sue me for not having my third coffee yet.
I know that when my phone connects via Bluetooth to a PC, it has no idea that it's a PC, but thinks it's a modem. In theory, the same PDA could talk to a 3G phone, having no idea that it's a 3G phone.
Yet this can't be done.
Why the fuck?
I'm sure there is a lot more.
I like the idea of external modules. Why build a camera into a PDA, when you can build Bluetooth into the PDA, and Bluetooth into a camera? The two will then be able to talk. Why build a phone into a PDA, when again, you could just talk remotely? And of course, we're already seeing the beginnings of this. Phone to PDA is pretty common, Bluetooth GPS systems are starting to emerge. How long for Bluetooth storage, I wonder?
The only thing which doesn't really fit into this ideal is the wifi, due to the bandwidth difference between the two. Who knows, maybe there will be a Bluetooth2 one day which fixes this relatively minor issue.
Neat, so I could arbitrarily give it another name, and it effectively won't matter, as there are already too many.
Seen it. Looks like a ripoff of the A768, which is equally unavailable. :-)
I also remember copying the data file from the DOS version, which then worked fine on any Infocom emulator, without DOSEMU. :-)
Bureaucracy was really cruel too. Some might say far more cruel than the Guide game.
Pay attention...
Personally, I wanted a Linux phone, as it would have meant some semblance of power, without the niggling thought in the back of my mind that it was going to crash the next time I got an incoming call. I own a Linux router, which has already had its warranty broken via third-party firmware. I had to sacrifice the Linux PDA for something better supported, but I think I might repair that in a couple of years if things improve.
We're seeing a nice insurgence in the set-top box arena, too. I bet that by the time I need to actually upgrade from my Xbox, there will be a nice, even more free solution available off the shelf. :-)
Java programmability is almost as good, as long as the support is up to scratch. Some recent phones are pretty good, and have everything right up to the Bluetooth API. Some other phones barely handle MIDP 1.0. The worst thing is, this could even occur on the same OS. On Symbian 7.0, there are Java implementations at both ends of the scale. :-/
And yet, if I went out to try and buy a mobile phone which runs Linux for the geek value, I wouldn't be able to find one. Maybe it's in the wrong embedded markets...
It's a pretty classic troll, actually. But still funny, yeah.
So tell me, how do you get a piece of hardware to work on Windows when it doesn't plug and play? It would be neat to get Windows to recognise my PS/2 mouse, since it currently can't.
Whatever happened to the word "Palmtop" anyway? And I thought "Handtop" was a trademark for a specific model of Palmtop...
You'd need something different to one-handed Dvorak though. These things look like you end up typing with your thumbs most of the time, unless you're lucky enough to have two hands free. But the one-handed Dvorak layout assumes you have a whole hand to type with.
You might get the same applications, but good luck doing full-on GIMPing on a 6 inch screen. Got bad vision? You will get it soon enough...
Probably the same thing that stops laptops replacing desktops. After all, they don't have the same power, but really they are pretty much the same...
You know what, though, the Linksys router I bought allowed you to upgrade the firmware via the web interface. And via TFTP from Linux, too. Maybe you just bought the wrong router. ;-)
So basically what you're saying, is they are calling the kettle black until it gets shiny, but the pot is still black. :-)