Bluefish Simplifies Wireless Handheld Access - By Mitch
Wagner
Wireless Internet connections for handheld computers are
convenient, but price of wireless modems is prohibitive. Bluefish
Wireless Inc. plans in two weeks to launch technology to allow
handheld users to access the Internet without a wireless modem.
The technology allows users of Palm OS devices, including the
Palm V, the Handspring Visor, and industrial Palm devices from
Symbol Technologies, to get updated Internet information through the
infrared ports built into the Palm handhelds.
IT managers simply deploy access points, called Bluefish, around
the corporate campus. End-users go to the Bluefish, point the
infrared port of their handheld at it, and download needed data.
Bluefish access points measure about 7x7x1.5-in. (HWD) and cost
around $200 each.
The Bluefish connect over 900 MHz spread-spectrum radio to a base
station connected to the Internet. The base station is a PC running
a Linux application with a transponder connected to a serial port.
Bluefish will sell an IBM NetVista PC preconfigured as a base
station for $700 or enterprises with their own PC can buy the
transponder, along with software from Bluefish that will
automatically install the Linux operating system and the Bluefish
application, which is priced at $350.
While Bluefish is primarily marketed for consumer businesses and
for advertising, it can also be used for enterprise applications.
For instance, some companies are now issuing handheld computers to
employees for use in warehouse inventory applications, and
applications where users need to be mobile, such as field service
engineers and package delivery. Those users could use Bluefish to
clock in and clock out and receive information needed to do their
jobs.
However, initial applications will be for consumers and
advertising. Bluefish will set up access points in airports in
Atlanta and Chicago, near Ernst & Young billboard advertising
and in Laptop Lane, which is a company that rents out office space
at airports to business travelers who want to work while waiting for
their flights. Consumers with Palm handhelds will be able to use the
access points to get information about those companies and other
Bluefish customers.
For more information: http;//www.bluefishwireless.com
Mobileinfo Comments and Advisory: An interesting
approach that may be useful for kiosk-type data capture applications
in factories and campuses.
