.KEYWORD internet0401
.FLYINGHEAD THE INTERNET IN YOUR PALM DEVICE
.TITLE Going wireless with your Palm device and a cell phone
.DEPT
.SUMMARY In his last "The Internet in your Palm Device" column, Michael Connick discussed using a PalmModem to access the Internet. This time he goes wireless to show you how to access the Internet by connecting your cell phone to your Palm computer.
.AUTHOR Michael Connick
A few weeks ago I had to attend a meeting at a client site in the Washington, DC area. For this meeting I took along my Palm IIIc and my Samsung SCH-2000 Sprint PCS cell phone. I also brought a Palm Portable Keyboard with me. During the client meeting, I used the keyboard to take detailed notes on my Palm IIIc. While returning home on the Amtrak Metroliner, I was able to send out my meeting notes via email while traveling at over 100 miles-per-hour! I also received and replied to other work-related and personal email messages on the train. I did all this just using my Palm device and a cell phone. The person sitting next to me on the train was in awe of my ability to telecommute from a moving train.
So, how was I able to accomplish this magic? It’s really pretty easy.
.H1 Using a Palm device with a cell phone
In my last "The Internet in your Palm Device" column, I discussed using a PalmModem to access the Internet. This time I’m going to talk about wireless Internet access using a cell phone.
Everything I mentioned in my last article can also be done wirelessly using a cell phone. I recommend that you go back and read the article (at http://www.palmpowerenterprise.com/issues/issue200102/modem001.html) before attempting to use your cell phone to connect to the Internet.
There are a wide number of cell phones that can be used with a Palm device to provide wireless Internet access. As I said, everything you can do with a PalmModem, you can also do with a cell phone, although it’s usually a little slower. This is due to the fact that most cell phone-based wireless communications take place at 9.6K or 14.4K, while the PalmModem communicates at 33.6K.
.H1 Does your carrier support data calls?
Of course, for all this to work, your carrier needs to be able to support data calls. Today, virtually all wireless carriers do. You may have to change your carrier service plan to enable data calls. My carrier, Sprint PCS, charges an extra $10 a month to allow my airtime minutes to be used for either data or voice.
.H1 Will your cell phone work with a Palm device?
For your cell phone to work with a Palm device, it needs three things.
First, it needs data capability. Your phone must have the ability to place data calls. Not all cell phones do. Check your phone’s manual, with the phone manufacturer, or with your wireless carrier.
Second, you need an IR (infrared) or data cable interface. Your Palm device needs some way to communicate with your cell phone. This is done using either a data cable or through an IR "beaming" interface. Right now, only a few phones used in the US have an IR interface. All other data-capable cell phones require a cable.
Third, you need support for Hayes-compatible modem commands. In fact, to your Palm device, your cell phone needs to look just like a PalmModem for you to be able to use it to connect to the Internet.
If your phone doesn’t meet the three conditions above, you won’t be able to use it with your Palm device. In that case, you might want to put aside this article and start looking for a new phone!
.H1 Cell phones that work with Palm devices
On Palm’s Web site at http://www.palm.com/software/mik/phone.html, you’ll find a list of phones that are known to work with Palm devices. This list was actually created for use with the PMIK (Palm Mobile Internet Kit), but you don’t actually need the PMIK to use a cell phone with your Palm device, although one good reason to buy the PMIK is if you want to use Web Clipping Applications, also known as PQAs (Palm Query Applications).
Alas, the above-mentioned phone list is far from complete. For example, although it doesn’t appear on the PMIK list, my old Samsung SCH-2000 works just fine with my Palm IIIc. It doesn’t have a built-in Web browser, but it does support data calls over the Sprint PCS CDMA network, and it responds to Hayes-compatible modem commands.
.H1 Getting a data cable
My Samsung SCH-2000 has a data cable interface. In order to connect my phone to my Palm IIIc, I needed to buy a data cable and null-modem adapter. There are multiple sources for these.
If you’re a Sprint PCS customer, you can buy the Sprint PCS Wireless Web Connection Kit (at http://www.sprintpcs.com/wireless/wwconnect.html) made for your particular phone model. It will cost you at least $99, and it will include a phone data cable and the null-modem adapter. You’ll connect both of these to your cradle cable or a HotSync cable and then to your cell phone. The Wireless Web Connection Kit also contains a CD with software for using your PC with your cell phone.
Syncable Solutions (at http://www.syncablesolutions.com) sells very nice cables for directly connecting a Palm unit to a Motorola CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) phone. This elegant solution allows you to avoid having to use a cradle or HotSync cable, null-modem adapter, and phone data cable all together to connect your phone to your Palm computer. Instead, you end up with a single, short cable. They charge $79.95 for their cables. Unfortunately, I don’t own a Motorola phone, so I can’t use one. They also sell null-modem adapters.
Another possible source of data cables is your phone manufacturer. Many of them will sell you data cables for the phones they make.
Finally, there are a host of small, specialized cell phone accessory firms on the Web. You can often find phone data cables from them at extremely reasonable prices. I bought mine from one such firm for only $35. These firms tend to come and go rapidly (the one I dealt with doesn’t seem to exist anymore), so it’s hard for me to recommend any one in particular. I simply suggest you do what I did: use your favorite Web search engine and search for "cell phone data cable" and see what turns up. Of course, "buyer beware" is the watchword when dealing with small, unknown companies.
.H1 Connecting the cell phone and Palm device
Having either obtained the necessary cabling, or being blessed with an IR-enabled phone, you’re ready to wirelessly access the Internet. Here’s what you’ll need to do.
First, enable data calls on your phone, if needed. Some phones require you to explicitly configure them to enable data transfer mode, while others (like mine) don’t. Check your phone’s user manual to find out.
Next, attach all needed cables between the phone and the Palm device, or point your Palm’s IR port at your phone’s IR port.
.H1 Configuring your Palm device
Next you’ll need to configure your Palm device to allow it to use your cell phone as a wireless modem. This is done as follows.
First, start up the Preferences application on your Palm computer. Open up the Connection preferences screen from the dropdown list in the upper-right hand corner of the screen. Tap on the New button to create a new serial-to-modem connection. Enter the information shown in Figure A.
.FIG A Enter this information to define a new connection.
You can set the Name field to whatever value seems appropriate to you. Mine happens to be Sprint PCS. Next, tap on the Details button to bring up a detail form and fill it out as shown in Figure B.
.FIG B Specify the connection details.
Tap on the OK button to save your new Connection settings.
Next, you’ll need to configure your Palm device’s Network settings. Select Network from the dropdown list in the upper-right corner of the Preferences screen. Fill in the information, as shown in Figure C, but substitute your own Service name, User name, Password, and Phone number.
.FIG C Here’s an example of the Network setup.
Next, tap on the Details button, which should bring up the screen shown in Figure D containing the default settings. In most cases, you won’t need to modify this screen.
.FIG D Specify the Network details.
This should be sufficient for making a connection to your ISP (Internet Service Provider. In rare cases, you may need to make some entries using the Script screen to specify when to send the user name, password, etc. If you need to enter this information, you should contact your ISP’s help desk and have them walk you through this process. It’s unlikely that you’ll need to do so.
Tap on the OK button to save your new Network settings.
.H1 Making the first call
Return to the Network preferences screen and tap the Connect button. You should see the Connection Progress dialog box as the connection to your ISP is established. Pushing the scroll down button on your Palm device will give additional information about the connection process.
With any luck at all, you’ll see a connection established between your Palm device and your ISP. At this point, you can start up your email program, browser, or other Internet program and utilize your cell phone to access the Internet. You’re now ready to surf the Web wirelessly!
.H1 Conclusion
In conclusion, it’s not all that difficult to use a data-capable cell phone with a Palm device to access the Internet. It’s usually a lot cheaper to do so than buying a cellular modem. Usually the only cost involved will be that for a data cable and a null-modem adapter. The end result is a very flexible solution for wireless Internet access without a big cash outlay. It works for me!
.BEGIN_SIDEBAR
.H1 Product availability and resources
For the article, "An unsung hero: using the PalmModem" in the February issue of PalmPower’s Enterprise Edition, visit http://www.palmpowerenterprise.com/issues/issue200102/modem001.html.
For more information on the Palm Portable Keyboard, visit http://www.palm.com/products/keyboard/.
For more information on the Palm Mobile Internet Kit, visit http://www.palm.com/software/mik/.
For more information about Sprint PCS, visit http://www.sprintpcs.com.
For a list of phones that are known to work with Palm devices, visit http://www.palm.com/software/mik/phone.html.
For more information on Web Clipping Applications, visit http://wireless.palm.net/apps/.
For more information on the Sprint PCS Wireless Web Connection Kit, visit http://www.sprintpcs.com/wireless/wwconnect.html
For more information on Syncable Solutions, visit http://www.syncablesolutions.com.
For more information about Palm computers, visit http://www.palm.com.
.H1 Bulk reprints
Bulk reprints of this article (in quantities of 100 or more) are available for a fee from Reprint Services, a ZATZ business partner. Contact them at reprints@zatz.com or by calling 1-800-217-7874.
.END_SIDEBAR
.BIO Michael Connick is a Senior Project Manager at BusinessEdge Solutions, Inc. He can be reached on his Palm IIIc at mconnick@monmouth.com. You can also visit his Palm-device oriented Web site at http://www.monmouth.com/~mconnick/palm.htm.
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