Can't Find Right Solution to Connect Wirelessly

[HalfSwede]

My apologies if this has been answered before, but I can’t seem to find any post that addresses my specific scenario. And every time I talk to the wireless company or to someone at Dell I get a different answer. I’m trying to figure out what my options are for connecting wirelessly to the Internet with my Dell Axim X5 and my Samsung A310 cell phone using Verizon Wireless as my wireless provider. I currently have a “bucket” of minutes with Verizon Wireless so that would be the least hassle as opposed to switching to another wireless company just for my data needs. I don’t mind getting a new cell phone, if necessary.

I need the wireless option for when I am away from the office. Primarily checking email, but our company also has a low bandwidth internet-based database application that I would like to access. Most of my travel is in the Mid-Atlantic States and on up into New England, but also occasionally Florida and California.

What are my best options? Listed below are the options, as I understand them, at this point…

1. Option 1 is to use a specially made serial cable to connect my Axim X5 to my Samsung A310. Something like what I found here:
Socket Communications. This would allow my Samsung cell phone to act as a modem and then I would simply use my “bucket” of minutes for my wireless data needs. Perhaps a little clumsy with the need for the extra cable but it sounds like this might work. Has anyone actually used this cable or similar?

2. Option 2 is to get the “Socket Communications” CompactFlash connection kit that is Bluetooth enabled. Unfortunately, my cell phone is not bluetooth enabled, and the two people I talked to at Verizon Wireless tell me Verizon has no plans to come out with a bluetooth phone. Evidently, Cingular, for one, has some bluetooth phones, but that will require switching cell phone companies, at least for my data needs. If this is a good option, any suggestions on bluetooth phones and wireless companies to check out?

3. Option 3 is to purchase something like Socket Communication’s 56K CF modem. This wouldn’t be wireless, but I could still connect in my hotel room when traveling. The downside to this option is that I would still have to worry about local calls from the hotel and/or carry a pre-paid phone card and won’t be able to connect without a landline. I’m thinking this might be a viable option, because most of my data needs are not urgent and I can simply connect in the evening when I get to the hotel.

4. Option 4, at least according to Verizon Wireless is to purchase an aircard, such as the Sierra Wireless Aircard 555 or the AirPrime PC 5220. To do this, however, it appears that I have to also purchase an “expansion sleeve” that would work with my Axim X5. Is there such a device? Does the X5 work with either of these aircards? If I have an expansion sleeve, would this preclude me from using a PDA keyboard?

5. Option 5 is to ditch the Axim X5 and go with a combination PDA/Cell Phone, such as the Samsung SPH-i700. I would prefer not to do this because I just bought my Axim 5 months ago, and it works fine.

Are there any other options I missed? Thanks so much for the help.

HalfSwede

[Maverick2003]

does the phone have a IR port on it, you can set up ppc to connect through this and use the modem on the phone if it has one builtin.

I used to do this with my ppc and various cell phones such a nokias, sony erricssons, and siemens s55.

for siemens phones directly but should be generally the same

http://www.my-siemens.com/com.aperto...s/Files/Addon/ tt/hq/mw/hd/hd/s35_20020211_eng_ppc_modem.pdf

Hope this is some help to you

Maverick2003

[Chudman]

Verizon phones are horribly simple, with no Bluetooth or IR. This is a constant source for complaints in the VZ newsgroups.

I think Option 1 would be the best one if you want to use your cellphone as a wireless modem.

CM