WIfI for Treo 680

[robert93]

The internet is not the end-all be-all of communications. Its also not free internet. Wifi would allow home networking for sync (yeah, Bluetooth could handle that as well ) and some offices even allow wifi on their internal networks for PDA's Cost is the main factor for those who arent shelling out for an unlimited data plans.

[klktrk]

I am sorry, but the Treo 680 has the ability to connect to the internet. Why does one need WiFi if the treo can connect to the internet on it's own?

I don't know, maybe:
1) so you can go online without having to pay a bazillion dollars to your cellphone carrier to do so.


2) so you can get download speeds that rival the mailman.

3) so you can write some VoIP software and install it on the phone and talk for free around the world.

Just a couple of the possible reasons.

[kabeyun]

I am sorry, but the Treo 680 has the ability to connect to the internet. Why does one need WiFi if the treo can connect to the internet on it's own?

1. Faster
2. Free
3. Free
4. Free

-K

[alex_mathews]

That's what I used to think as well (see several prior rants). But if that's true, why can you throw a rock and hit a WM device sporting built-in or supported WiFi? I think it's an anti-PalmOS conspiracy! But hell, I'll be happy if they can just get Bluetooth right.

-K

P.S. And in some cases I want to throw the rock really hard.

Edit: I agree that cost containment for the 680 is not the reason. If so, more expensive PalmOS devices like the 650 or 700p would have WiFi capability.

I completely agree with your points!

[xdcohenx]

I completely agree with your points!

I was wondering if you can put a palm calendar on a windows mobile OS? I hate Outlook and windows calendars and for that reason alone want to get the Treo 680. But if I could use Palm's calendar on a windows OS I would consider the T-Mobile MDA and then load in the Palm Calendar. Is that an option?

Thank you.

D

[capcapt23]

I am sorry, but the Treo 680 has the ability to connect to the internet. Why does one need WiFi if the treo can connect to the internet on it's own?

Well what about those of us that would like to be able to ssh to our servers and need to be on the local network to do so? For me thats a main reason I need/want wifi on my 680. Sure there are many workarounds since I have web access but its so much easier to do that, plus if I am not mistaken wifi is faster at any rate.

Just my 2 cents worth

[LostViking]

I have some food for thought about why.

First off WiFi and cellular are two completely different parts of the spectrum. They DO NOT interfere or NO cellphones would have it.

Second, Palm could have put a larger battery in the device during the initial design and it wouldn't have killed the design.

Third, even though the Palm OS is a single thread OS, it has WiFi running on it alreay, just not on the Treos.

OK, so why? It's already been said but it's because the providers would loose data and voice sales due to VoIP and people using HotSpots. We are all being held back from the technology simply so ATT and other can make MORE money. No other reason. I repair them so I do understand the limits and technologies. Been doing electronics starting with component level repairs and moving on to design, for 30 years. Not the end all expert, but I know a bit.

[Geo]

I am sorry, but the Treo 680 has the ability to connect to the internet. Why does one need WiFi if the treo can connect to the internet on it's own?

FREE surfing...the way the internet was designed to be! It comes down to cost. But without reading the entire thread...we should have a Palm rep tell us exactly why there is no wifi on a Palm OS Treo. Sad, but true, I would like to surf and read email without bring my laptop at times.
But, we can chalk it up to our 'needs' and wants and how they direct our lives.

[Geo]

Anyone know if the 650 WiFi card is compatible with the Treo 680? Or is there one coming out soon for the 680 itself?

Thank you

Hey? Did I miss something? Does the 650 have a wifi card? That actually works??

[dgarts]

That's what I used to think as well (see several prior rants). But if that's true, why can you throw a rock and hit a WM device sporting built-in or supported WiFi? I think it's an anti-PalmOS conspiracy! But hell, I'll be happy if they can just get Bluetooth right.

-K

P.S. And in some cases I want to throw the rock really hard.

Edit: I agree that cost containment for the 680 is not the reason. If so, more expensive PalmOS devices like the 650 or 700p would have WiFi capability.

There is plenty of info in this thread that ably demonstrates the limitation is not due to issues in technology. I'll toss in the consideration of marketing. The Treo 650 was a device aimed at the business segment, with the assumption that some corporate IT folks would support the deployment of devices for road warriors. These customers do not compete in the retail segment, so offering Wi-Fi a) would not reduce revenues for telcos as these customers weren't going to be spending money on their cheesy "packages" and b) would facilitate connecting to corporate intranets, secure sites, etc... Palm OS was already stretching to the limit when communications took hold of the PDA space (it was originally designed as a PIM, right?) New players rushed into the business space (most notably RIM and Microsoft) and did it better, while the Palm OS languished, unable to keep up with the demand for resources on their OS. By the time the 680 was released, it was aimed not at the business crowd, but individuals who would buy one as a "smartphone" (emphasis more on "phone" now than on "PIM/PDA). Telcos can get their hooks into retail consumers for exhorbitant fees and pricing packages. Of course no w-fi here, else who would pay all those connect charges? Windows Mobile is, of course, aimed at the corporations who are already on Microsoft Exchange. As a business-oriented product, again, wi-fi included does not hurt the telco retail business, and makes the unit more attractive to IT departments. Therefore, understanding why Wi-Fi is not available on some models while available on others is less a question of technology but of market segmentation - the 680 and WM devices are not aimed at the same segment, hence come with the mix of features that, these bright minds think, maximizes profit opportunity.