Windows CE and Wireless Communications
Today, Windows CE devices in three flavors have been announced -- Palm-size PC, Handheld PC, and Auto PC. Microsoft has further stated that there will be more Windows CE devices in a variety of form factors including larger mobile computers, "smart phone" devices, and products for the home or entertainment markets. According to Microsoft, Windows CE devices are designed as "PC Companions." In order to take full advantage of these devices, you have to use them in concert with at least one PC. Their real value is not that they permit you to store your calendar, phone book, databases, and files, but rather that you can synchronize the information on your Windows CE device with your desktop or mobile PC. For this reason, Windows CE devices need to be able to "talk" to their host system or systems to exchange information. The communications link can be established with a cable or via the infrared communications capabilities built into the systems. The problem with infrared communicationsInfrared communication is of value when two PC Companion users want to exchange information and are within a few feet of each other. You can also use it to communicate with a desktop PC equipped with an IrDA infrared port. I use an IR connection for my data synchronization. IR communication has been standardized by the IrDA organization, and it is available at speeds up to 4 Mbps (megabits per second), although the most common speed for Windows CE devices is 115 bps. While it is a standard, few if any desktop computers have IR ports built into them. This is the key problem with IR communications. The cable for connecting the PC Companion to the PC comes with the device. But in order to be able to send and receive data via IR, the user will most likely need to buy an infrared port and install it on the desktop. Communications away from the deskI have stated many times that I believe that as H/PCs, Palm PCs, PalmPilots and similar devices become more popular, there will be an increasing demand for communications links between users companion devices and their own information sources, usually their desktop computer. Are computer and communications industries prepared to respond to this demand? So far, most of the computer and communications companies are more interested in providing access to the Internet and "news, weather, and sports." These companies are providing wired and wireless access to the Internet as a "pull" technology where users go to the Net and "pull" information down to their device, and a "push" technology where information is "pushed" out to the user (e.g., AirData's News, Weather, and Sports). However, there are some encouraging signs and activities in this space. Palm joined with Motorola and PageMart to provide a one-way paging module that slips into the PalmPilot and does not spoil the form factor. More importantly, they did an excellent job of integrating the paging operating system with the Palm OS to provide calendar synchronization, calendar look-up, and other features that make the Palm Pilot/Pager combination more than simply a PalmPilot and a pager. They have also provided software that resides on the desktop that can "push" calendar and other information out to the Pilot on a user-specified basis, making the system even more valuable. Starting with one-way communicationsPalm PC products will also have one-way paging capabilities, but it remains to be seen whether the first offerings will include desktop "push" capabilities. If news, weather, and sports is all users can receive on their Palm PCs, the companies that have sunk money into such projects will learn a costly lesson about what this class of users really wants. I assume that there will be some one-way wireless services that will provide useful information for Windows CE users and that one-way wireless devices will sell relatively well during the balance of 1998 and beyond. One-way messaging makes sense for large fleets of users that need pricing updates, product change notifications, etc., as long as they can access a phone for wired connectivity several times a day for more extensive downloads and two-way communications. The real promiseThe real promise of mobile communications for Windows CE devices will be realized through two-way wireless modems. While today's two-way wireless modems make use of the PC Card slot or a serial port on the mobile device, newer wireless modems will be built to fit into the CompactFlash slot provided on Palm PC and Auto PC products. Using today's PC Card wireless modem technology, you can connect via wired circuits, analog cellular, digital cellular, PCS, ARDIS, CDPD, and RAM. Using a serial cable, you can make use of Metricom's Ricochet network or SkyTel's two-way paging network. Wireless modems are available, wireless services are available, and Windows CE 2.0 supports remote synchronization. One might think that it is easy and economical to make use of a wireless network with a Windows CE device today ¡ it is NOT! Types of networksLet's look at wireless dial-up networks first. It is safe to assume that you can do anything with a wireless dial-up modem that you can do with a wired dial-up modem. Any information you can access while wired you will be able to access wirelessly. The reason is simple. Except for some special protocols and error-correction software, wireless modems function just like wired modems. Today, you can purchase a PC Card wireless modem for cellular (AMPS), GSM PCS, (or the Ricochet system if you are in one of the three metro areas Metricom serves). Using a dial-up wireless modem is just like using a wired modem except that the cable from the PC Card attaches to your handheld phone instead of an RJ-11 jack in the wall. Because these modems are powered by the host device, they can quickly drain the H/PC's batteries. However, when the H/PC is plugged into an AC adapter, this isn't a problem. Once set up, you can dial just as you would with a wired modem. If you can dial directly into you desktop using a wired modem, you will be able to do so using a wireless modem. If you dial into a corporate modem pool, you will have this capability as well. Cellular or PCS wireless modems provide slower access speeds (9600 bps typically), and you pay the same per-minute rate for wireless data as you do for wireless voice. The Metricom system is faster and uses an external wireless modem with a built-in battery and a flat monthly charge which usually includes Internet access. Other wireless servicesThe most practical types of wireless access to and from Windows CE devices are provided by wireless packet-data services and SkyTel's 2-Way paging network. ARDIS, CDPD, and RAM Mobile Data are data-only packet-based networks. ARDIS and RAM provide coverage to more than 90% of the business population of the U.S., SkyTel's network covers less, and CDPD systems cover about 50%. None of these networks are considered fast (average throughput is in the 10-Kbps range), and none are designed for "surfing the Net" in graphics mode. However, for synchronizing calendars and receiving and sending e-mail, these networks are ideal. ARDIS, RAM, and some of the SkyTel two-way paging service options offer free in-coverage roaming. No matter where you are within the ARDIS network, for example, when you turn on your wireless modem you are automatically registered on the network and any messages being held for you are sent to your device. These systems are so "smart" that if they are sending you a message when you turn off your device, get on a plane, and fly to another city, they know you didn't receive the message in its entirety. When you turn your device back on in the destination city, the message is automatically delivered to you. If all this is hereThe question now has to be that if these networks are in place, and if there are wireless modems available for them, why aren't they teeming with customers? The answer is complex; but simply stated, it is (1) because these networks are perceived as being too expensive for general use, and (2) connecting the handheld device back to users' own desktops via a wireless data network is no simple matter. It should be easy to walk into a store and buy a wireless modem, sign up for service over a network, and connect directly back to your own desktop system. Unfortunately, the communications industry has not focused on this type of connection. They have become accustomed to providing a pipe over which we can access people who have a specific address: a phone number. They do not understand that this model does not work in the world of data. When the issue of desktop access arose, they said, "Internet! All we have to do is to provide a connection to the Internet and the user can connect to anything! WRONG! Because the Internet is a public network, corporate IS managers install firewalls so that people on the outside cannot access the information on the inside. This means that a wireless link to the Internet cannot provide access to users' own desktops or LAN-based information. Thus, the wireless connection is of no great use to them. The solutionsThe good news is that many companies on both the computer and communications sides of the fence now recognize the importance of providing end-to-end communications links between mobile devices and users' own information sources. Resources are being applied to solving the security and connection issues, and I believe that we will see several solutions emerge over the next few months. When it comes to pricing, wireless data networks are too expensive for today's typical mobile user, but monthly costs will go down dramatically as users are added. I believe that by the end of 1998 we will be able to connect our Windows CE device to our own information inexpensively from almost anywhere in the U.S.
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