PDA and wireless/VPN/intranet page viewing capabilities

[Kenyth]

I am interested in getting a new Dell Axim. They are on sale right now. The newer ones really have me excited with their almost laptop like capabilites. The ability to connect via wirless and use web apps has me interested. I would want to associate with a WAP and be able to view and use regular web pages we use to control certain systems. I would want to connect to my network while out and about with a client initiated VPN tunnel using IPSEC terminating on our Cisco VPN3000 concentrator. Currently, we use the Cisco client from home and our laptops, but I'm assuming any IPSEC client would work as long as you configure it correctly with the keys and public addresses. Bluetooth and using your cell phone as an internet access device also interests me. I assume you need an account with you cell service provider for this.

Does anyone do this kind of stuff? How well does it really work? Can I expect to see the same pages I pull up in IE6 on my laptop? The PDA screen resolution is 640x480, so it's feasable! What about things like Remote desktop sessions? Can you do those with the new PDA's now?

[hex1848]

I have a PPC 6600 from Sprint. Its a PDA/Phone runing Windows Mobile 2003. It does not have built in 802.11 or EVDO, but it works fine over CDMA (just a little slow).

I can remote desktop to my house, or the office (over VPN), fine. Its a ~1.5 - 2 year old model, with the newer stuff you should be able to do everything you want.

As far as web browsing goes, it has IE, but a lot of the clientside JavaScript is disabled. So if your site uses alot of client side navigation/flash/etc you might not be able to access the site. But if its straight HTML, you should be fine.

I can get around Cigarsmokers.com from mine, I've used it a few times when I've gone on vacation.

[Kenyth]

Sweet! MY cell phone was a gift from my wife last Xmas. I didn't even know I was getting one, so I couldn't even hint at preferred capabilities. As a result, the one I have has a nice camera, mini web browser, and voice commands, but no Bluetooth. *Sigh* I can't blame her, she would have no idea about that kind of tech geek stuff.

Bluetooth is what I am really interesterd in so I can access the web anywhere with the PDA and use a headset. Now I'll have to get a new phone to get it, and my contract doesn't end until next September! Bummer! The diff. in price is about $50-$80 at renewal time, or $250 to just buy it. I can't see spending that much more when I'll be using Wi-fi as often as possible. Access points are everywhere these days. I already ordered the Dell Axim X51v. I'm excited!

[fllbrent]

I have a PalmOne LifeDrive.

Built in features include:
4 GB micro drive (Yes! 4 GB!)
Bluetooth
802.11b

Can open MS-Office documents (word, excel, powerpoint) and edit them without having to buy extra software. Listen to music, view pictures and videos.

I looked at the Nextel/Sprint Blackberry. However, $49/mo in addition to my cell and radio minutes was the deal killer for me.

I have been more than pleased with the LifeDrive.

Look on ebay. You should be able to find one new for around $275

Good luck,
Brent

[Kenyth]

All right, next question. Dial up networking on cell phones. What's a basic plan to do this cost? I see that the $5 a month thing I saw is only for the mini-browser on the phone. Pretty much worthless. If it's $50 a month to use the equivalent of a 56K connection, they can keep it.

[Kenyth]

I have a PalmOne LifeDrive.

Built in features include:
4 GB micro drive (Yes! 4 GB!)
Bluetooth
802.11b

Can open MS-Office documents (word, excel, powerpoint) and edit them without having to buy extra software. Listen to music, view pictures and videos.

I looked at the Nextel/Sprint Blackberry. However, $49/mo in addition to my cell and radio minutes was the deal killer for me.

I have been more than pleased with the LifeDrive.

Look on ebay. You should be able to find one new for around $275

Good luck,
Brent

The micro drive sounds sweet, but I already bought the Dell. The VGA video with a 16MB graphics card on the Dell Axim really intrigues me. If I really want to, I can upgrade with a bunch of flash memory. The document editors on the palm receive really stellar reviews though! MS mobile 5 is still lagging behind on the Pocket Office features. The new Office version can at least view Power point presentations, and the Dell Axim X51v can hook up to a standard VGA monitor.

[Kenyth]

An update on memory. Next generation CF cards will have up to a 32GB capacity. New memory chip technology will make it possible.

[Kenyth]

Remote desktop and VPN conectivity work fine. Unfortunately, 640x480 isn't enough to handle certain dialogue boxes anymore. They run off both sides of the screen, making it impossible to click anything. Also, if you run Cisco products for your VPN, you will need a third party software package to connect to it. Third party Cisco VPN client software for the PDA is running about $80 right now. A bit pricey for a VPN client that normally comes for free on the PC platform.