Mobile Computing
Mobile computing refers to a range of technologies merging wireless systems with a variety of software and portable hardware features. At the largest end of this range are laptop computers. The trend is to become ever smaller, with Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) (e.g., palmtops, handhelds) serving as the current cutting edge. This page addresses:

Top Ten Questions Answered by Wireless Palmtops


Palmtop computer owners can routinely carry around answers to these personal management questions:

(1) Where am I supposed to be?
(2) What do I need to do next?
(3) Who should I contact by phone or email?
(4) Am I done for today?


Wireless palmtops extend the types of questions that can be addressed by such a PDA (personal digital assistant) to cover a wide range of computer based problem processing elements:

(5) Which email brought up the problem and have I indicated my interest in getting involved?
(6) Where can more information be found on this?

(7) Who else could add more to my brainstorm of options?
(8) Have I heard from enough others that I can safely select my solution to the problem?

(9) Do I have enought new data today to sync my notes and memos from the palmtop to my desktop system to merge with the larger composition there?
(10)  Is it time to send the web address or file server location of my composition(s) to my community team as draft or final version?
 

Questions of problem processing that may best be answered for now in partnership with desktop computing:
  • (6.5) How can I best see the information that involves large files which are text, stills, animation, audio, video, virtual reality?
  • (8.4) Do I need to compose for my audience using some combination of: text, stills, animation, audio, video, virtual reality, and/or remote sensor or control?
  • (8.6) Where will I store my composition during editing and where will I publish it for others to see the drafts and final version?
  • (8.8) How do I import additional information from this (e.g., peripheral: scanner, camera, ZIP disk, CD, sensor)?
  • (Other Suggestions for questions that require desktop use?)

    • Planning Facts and Issues


    Research Sources: Magazines; Journals; Lexus-Nexus

    Focus Sites

    Multimedia for Palms

    Educationally Focused Institutions and Companies moving towards Wireless Handheld Systems

    Companies

    Key Criteria for selection of units

    PDA Shopping/Costs

    Features and Reviews

    Wireless

    Infastructure

    Wireless service providers

    Our Key Feature Chart (Fall, 2000 data):

    Use pricewatch.com or other sites to update prices and current model numbers.
    Item Cost 802.11 Mic sync speed wt size (inches) battery life Memory basic features Built-in browser cell phone option warranty
    Visor 179 Aug-Sept. yes USB 5.4 4.8x3.0x0.7 1-2 mon. 2MB yes yes yes, June, $? 1 year
    Visor Deluxe 279 Aug-Sept. yes USB 5.4 4.8x3.0x0.7 1-2 mon. 8MB yes yes . 1 year
    Palm IIIe 149 ? no USB 6.0 4.7x3.2x0.7 1.5-2 mon. 2MB yes no . .
    Palm Vx 399 ? no USB 4.0 4.5x3.1x0.4 1.5-2 mon. 8MB yes yes . .
    Palm IIIx 249 ? no USB 6.0 4.7x3.2x0.7 1.5-2 mon. 2MB yes ? $99 connectivity kit .
    HP Journada 545 499 none yes USB 9.0 5.2x3.1x0.6  8 hrs. 16MB yes yes . .
    Compaq iPAQ H3600 pocket pc (not available yet) 499 promised yes USB 6.3+ex.pac. 5.11x3.28x .62 12 hrs. 32MB yes yes . 1 year
    Cassiopeia/ E-115 499 ? yes serial . . 6 hrs. 16MB yes yes . .

    Cost for 40 units:

    Item Cost x40 units PC Card 802.11 x40 Extras x40 Total
    Visor 179 07,160 200 $8000 built-in 0 $15,160
    Visor Deluxe 279 11,160 200 $8000 built-in 0 $19,160
    Palm IIIx 249 09,970 200? $8000 $40 USB connection kit; $? PC card expan. 1,600 $19,570
    Palm Vx 399 15,960 200? $8000 $40 USB connection kit; $? PC card expan. 1,600 $25,560
    HP Journada 545 499 19,960 200? $8000 . 0 $27,960
    Compaq (not available yet) 499 19,960 200 $8000 $149 Expansion pac for PC card 5,960 $33,920

    Base Transmitter/Receiver Station:

    Item Cost Total (15)
    Base/wireless ports 650 $9,750?

    Software

    Item Total Cost (x40)
    $50 worth of software for each palmtop computer $2000?
    one or two of kind software titles to pass around study their value to educational applications $2000?

     

    Total Budget Impact Draft Worksheet:

    palmtop computer $15-33,000?
    base transmitter/receiver station $9,750?
    software $4,000?
    Grand total       ?

    Updated Version: May 24, 2001.  Page author: Bob Houghton