|
|
Palm/Cell
Phone Communications
(Part 1 - What You Need) |
If you don't have Javascript
enabled, there are HTML links at the very bottom of every page.
Ok, this page shows you how to set up your Palm
and Cell Phone for Internet Access
via a cable or infra red connection between your Palm unit and Cell Phone.
Remember, I'm attempting to help everyone, so there's lots of helpful information
here;
the vast majority of people should be able to get set up so long as they follow the
guide below.
1. The 'right' Palm Operating System and OS
Updates
|
If you're using any Palm OS
below Palm OS 3.3, you need to upgrade your OS to OS 3.3.
You're fine if you're running Palm OS 3.5 and can go onto Step 2 - below.To find
out what Palm OS version of you have installed on your toy, tap on 'Applications' then
'Options' then 'About Applications'. The resulting screen should read 'Applications v.3.3'
(just like the screen to the right). If your screen says 'Applications
v.3.5' then you are very special indeed. If this screen says something
other than v.3.3 or v.3.5, you'll need to upgrade
your Palm OS (which I'll not go into - but you can read Palm Computing's FAQ all about
upgrading to OS 3.3 here).
|
 Find out about Palm OS
upgrades at About.com
|
Once you've updated (or have) OS
3.3, get the Enhanced Infra Red update from Palm Computing and install it.
The Enhanced Infra Red Update allows a Palm connected organiser with infra red hardware to
interact with a greater variety of other infra red-enabled devices. But
really, the enhanced IrDA pack is a simply solution to redirect the serial
port to the IrDA port (when you want it to) so your Palm works with all apps that use
the Infra Red port!
So...load the Infra Red
enhancements package and switch from 'Serial' to 'Infra Red' under 'Preferences' in your
Palm device.
|
 Return to main list of 'What You'll Need'
2. A Palm
Unit that is capable of infra red beaming
(if you want to connect your Palm and Cell Phone via IR)
These Palm Units are capable of
Infra Red Beaming...
Click on the Palm of your
choice (including the NEW Palm IIIc)
to read detailed customer reviews or purchase your shiny new Palm
device
at Amazon.com (which offer Palms discounted below the retail price).
Remember, Doctor Salami also
offers you step-by-step instructions on
how to build your own Palm/Cell Phone cable for the Nokia 61xx Series here.
Palm IIIe |
Handspring Visor
Deluxe (Graphite) |
|
If you have a Palm IIIe or Handspring Visor:
Can the Palm IIIe connect via IR? Well, not out of the box: the OS is not
upgradable from Palm OS 3.1and full IrDA communication wasn't available
until Palm OS 3.3.
But you can by purchasing IR Link (read the installation FAQ carefully).
So...with IR Link you can use a Visor or Palm IIIe. Simply get
IR Link, SerIrCommLib.prc from the Enhanced IR update (mentioned above) and install. Launch IR Link
and select 'redirect cable' and set it to mixed and then follow the instructions on
setting up for the web: Palm/Cell Phone Communications -
Part 4 (where there are some specific instructions for you that you may need).
After you've read these pages (they'll get you up and working quickly), you can
read more: here is the Deja.com search link for 'Palm IIIe Nokia', where over 100 people talk about this
issue (including me!). Remember, read these pages first, it'll save you time! |
Return
to main list of 'What You'll Need'
3.
If you want to browse the Web and send e-mails, you'll also need *data* transfer
enabled
Make sure your phone is
'data capable'.
A data-capable phone gives you the ability to connect to the Internet
for e-mail, web browsing, ICQ, WAP browsing etc. If you also want to connect your Palm and
Cell Phone via infra red, you need a phone with the IrComm modem support (see point 4,
below).
In order to send or receive a fax or a data call on a GSM phone you need a fax or
data number. This is so your service provider can identify the type of call
you are making (voice, fax, data). Your GSM network provider
can only set up fax/data access by providing fax or data numbers. This
means subscribing to data for web browsing and fax for...faxing.
This is all easy and
your service provider should do it for you over the phone. You don't even need to
know what the data or fax number is! When you ask your service
provider to set you up, it is unlikely that the salesbots are going to know about Palm
devices, so just act like you want to hook up to a laptop: they'll know what you mean
then.
Data service is very common with GSM Cell/Mobile Phone services.
If you're in the US, you might want to look at alternative cell phone services that
offer the GSM standard. The price for data varies from being included with your voice
plan, to an extra per-month fee + airtime fees. Possibilities (in the US)
are Sprint PCS, Nextel, and other cellular carriers where you connect the
Palm to a data-capable cell phone. There are many sites that help you find out what the best deals are for you.
As an example (for the US), on
Verizon/Airtouch, data access is called "Mobile Internet".
What is the story with GSM Cell Phone Services in the US? Find
out on the page I have here
(about 2/3 down the page).
The best part is that with GSM SMS you can send e-mails from your palm for free,
without having to connect to the web!
(which you'll read about on the next few pages...be patient)
|
Return
to main list of 'What You'll Need'
4.
A cell phone with IRdA (and data) functionality
Ericsson, Nokia, Siemens
and Motorola all make mobile phones with infra red and data (see
point 3, above) functionality.
Specifically, you want a phone which supports "AT-commands" over an infra
red connection.
Yes, exactly.
Tell this to the salesbot you're getting the phone from and
watch them freak out!
(The Cluetrain Manifesto
proposes that we receive better customer service from a highly involved user of a product
that the manufacturer or retailer of the product - so there you are: that's why you're
here and not at the Palm website). :-)
If you want to get e-mail/browse
the web/use ICQ, etc you need a phone with a built in modem.
Nokia phones that do this are the 8210, 8850, 7110, and 8110 (with software
upgrade). Or get a Nokia 51xx or 61xx and buy a Palm
Modem and a GSM kit (which is just cable to connect the Palm Modem to
your 6150).
Bottom line: get the better phone (go the Nokia 8210 or 8850)
If you have a Nokia
3110, Nokia 51xx, Nokia 61xx, Ericsson 6xx/7xx/8xx you need a modem (see below)
|
Nokia 8850, 7110, 8210 Cool. Wanky. Geeky.
:-)
|
Nokia Phones Capable of Infra
Red Internet Access (i.e Infra Red and Data enabled)
|
Nokia 8110
(or 81xx in th US). This is a 'first generation' Nokia 8850 and requires a
firmware ('firmware' is the operating system of your phone) update in order to do all the
excellent IR things we'll go through in the following pages. Press *#0000#
and you'll get something like 'V 5.11 09-12-99 NSM-3' - this is the firmware version of
your phone. With the Nokia 8110 you need at least firmware version 4.05.
If your firmware version is 4.03 you will not be able to get a connection at all and will
need to take your phone to a Nokia Service Centre to have the firmware upgraded.
|
  |
Nokia 8210
and Nokia 8850 (or 82xx/ 88xx in th US). The 8210
and 8850 are identical phones in terms of hardware and firmware (except that the 8850 has
the ability to detect if the keypad slide is open or closed): 8850 users pay an extra
$300-$500 for the metallic case. Both of these Nokia phones will do everything
you'll read about in following pages right out of the box.
|
|
Nokia 7110
(or 71xx in the US). This phone is new and should also work right out of the box.
There is some extra information on about this phone and Palm SMS (Short Message Service)
software on the SMS page you'll find here.
Note: some people tell me of a problem with the 7110 dialing a / [a 'slash']
before the number when dialing into their ISP. I am told this will fix it:
go to NAMES, switch display 'name & number' to displaying 'only names'. Nokia 9110 Communicator (not
pictured) will also work.
|
|
Nokia
Phones *NOT* Capable of Infra Red Internet Access
(*NOT* IRdA and/or Data enabled)
Nokia 6110 (61xx series in the US).
As far as I am aware, versions of this phone sold in the US do not have the
Infra Red hardware included with the phone...even though there appears to be an
IR port at the top of the phone. Check with your carrier or Nokia US. This
phone also does not have a firmware fax/modem so you'll have to use one of the alternatives detailed toward the bottom of this
page for wireless Palm coolness. I have read of a US owner of a Nokia 61xx
series phone who removed the the face plate on the phone and.found no infra red
componentry. I have also been e-mailed by readers of this page who confirm that
they have called Nokia US and were told that the US model 61xx phones did not get the IR
function. So US Nokia phones don't have IR capabilities -- the lens
is there, but there's an empty socket behind it. Go to this page for an alternative.
Secondly, this phone won't access the Internet because it has no modem (so
Europeans and those in the Asia-Pacific who do have a 61xx with a functional IR port will
find there is no modem connected to the IR stack). Bottom line: you need a
modem - see the alternatives for you toward the
end of this page.
The European/Asia-Pacific 61xx CAN 'beam' data to and from a Palm unit
- the infrared port can only be used for exchanging phone book entries,
ring tones and logos (e.g. the stuff described on the next
page)
Nokia 3210 (no image) isn't
data compatible so NO DATA ACCESS. Get a new phone. It does not have a
modem either. Or get a cable. See the
alternatives for you toward the end of this page. |
Ericsson Phones Capable of
Infra Red Internet Access (i.e Infra Red and Data enabled)
|
All the Ericsson 888 phones work
with infra red to the Palm. Choices would be the I888 900/1900 'WORLD' that
also works in most other countries, or the dual-mode CF888, AMPS/GSM1900.
Both have internal modem emulation and IR. |
Motorola Phones Capable
of Infra Red Internet Access (i.e Infra Red and Data enabled)
| The Motorola Timeport
series will do it (ahhh...sorry, the Motorola Timeport P8160 does not support IR -
thanks, AP) If
you're in the US, I have been informed that the Timeport works great with the Sprint PCS
wireless Web Connection Kit for the StarTAC along with the portable Palm hotsync cable
and the null modem adapter that comes with the Sprint Connection Kit. Give it a go if that's the way you need to go
(i.e. no infra red). |
Seimens Phones Capable
of Infra Red Internet Access (i.e Infra Red and Data enabled)
| And so will the Seimens S25
series which has a built in modem and IR capability |
I have specifically mentioned
all cell phone models I *know* this type of thing will work with. If I have not
mentioned your particular cell phone here, then I don't know for certain if it will work:
use the requirements as a guide and see if your cell phone supports them - ask the
manufactuer.
Please don't e-mail me asking if your phone is supported! :-)
But please let me know your cell phone model if you are using something
different to those listed above.
|
|
Check out FoneSync Nokia by Paragon Software if you want to use your PC
for some of these operations...
* Drag and drop vCards (electronic business
cards) from e-mails, the Internet, and your PC desktop onto your phone
* Transfer names and numbers into your
digital mobile phone in seconds
* Automatically reformat your phone numbers
if you travel to another country
* Synchronize between your PC and digital
mobile phone
* Base product supports up to 2 phones
|
If you are looking for a
cell phone (anywhere in the world, but particularly in the USA), go to Respond.com.
Organized by categories (Consumer Electronics, Services, Travel, etc...), you
locate the category that best describes the product or service you're looking for (in this
case, cell phones and plans) and simply key in your needs into the Buyer Request Form.
This is the page where you'll tell them what you want - just fill out a few pieces of
important information and click "Send Request".
Merchants will then e-mail you their best price and shipping costs.Remember, you're
under no obligation to buy and your email address always remains anonymous to Respond.com sellers. |
 
|
Please consider posting any questions you may
have to my Wireless
Palm On-Line Forum.
I answer lots of questions and this way,
others will be able to check for answers.
Return
to main list of 'What You'll Need'
Does IR eat up more power on
my Palm device?
The IR beam receive uses more
power than anything on the Palm besides the backlight.
But that's okay becuase the backlight uses heaps more power and a Palm device
in general eats up bugger all power. If you leave 'beam receive' on all the time
you'll probably notice a decrease in time between new batteries.
But if you have a rechargable Palm and you charge it regularly you'll have
no worries. Or just turn 'Beam Receive' off and not worry at all. :-)
In fact, the IR sends
intermittent beams while in beam receive on mode.
You little Palm device is essentially asking "is anybody there?"
If you want to see this happening, most camcorders can
pickup infrared: this means you can look through the camera and
see the IR port blinking...neato! If you have your Palm and Cell
Phone linked, you can see both IR ports 'glowing': digital device love!
OK.
You have all this stuff set up and you Feel Funky.
Click 'Next' to Continue and see how groovy you
can be...
NEXT
A Wireless World Awaits
You...
YOU ARE HERE
WHERE THE 'NEXT' LINK (ABOVE) WILL TAKE
YOU
This is the MAIN INDEX to this series of
Pages
Don't Forget Dr Salami's Other Palm
Pages
What Matters Most?
A detailed FAQ on using the
Franklin Covey Palm and Desktop software
Free, free,
free....with some advice on using Palm applications.
NEW! Very short and to the point
Sync your Palm with your PC from
1000 kilometers away!
NEW! Doctor
Salami's Palm store
in association with Amazon.com
Doctor Salami's Main Palm
Index Page
- Your Gateway to all things Palmmy
Takes you to the Home Page
Tell others about
Doctor Salami's Palm Pages
![[Tracked by Hitmatic]](http://www.hitmatic.com/h4/h4.cgi?user=10407&page=Requirements)
| |
Going to Australia for the
2000 Olympic Games?
Get
Lonely Planet CitySync (Sydney)
the home town of Doctor Salami!
|
