Windows CE and
Wireless Communications
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Andrew Seybold
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 communications
Infrared 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 desk
I 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 communications
Palm 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 promise
The 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 networks
Let'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 services
The 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 here
The 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 solutions
The 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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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andrew Seybold heads a computer and communications industry consulting and newsletter
company, and publishes the well-respected Andrew Seybold's Outlook on Communications and
Computing. He has an extensive radio communications and computer background, is recognized
as one of the top analysts in these fields, and is a founder and President of the Portable
Computing and Communications Association (PCCA). Andrew Seybold's Outlook can be reached
at 408-338-7701, fax 408-338-7806, e-Mail lseybold@outlook.com