DigitalLink Rings True for CDMA Subscribers
The fall 2000 launch of the VisorPhone, a GSM-based module for Handspring Visors that turned the hand-held into a mobile phone, begged a question: When would CDMA users get a similar product?
Although GSM (Global Standard for Mobile Communications) is the most popular mobile phone technology worldwide, CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) has more subscribers in the United States. Two of this country’s largest national wireless carriers, Verizon Wireless and Sprint PCS, have networks based on the CDMA standard.
Sprint is expected to announce today that it will offer the AirPrime DigitalLink module for its subscribers. Pricing hasn’t been finalized, but is expected to be in the $200 range. The unit will be upgradable to what the industry calls “3G,” a next generation of wireless communications that will boast faster data speeds.
The GSM-based VisorPhone units sold today, by contrast, will not work with high-speed next-generation systems.
As with the VisorPhone, the DigitalLink plugs into the “springboard” slot of a Visor, and automatically allows users to dial numbers from the hand-held’s address book by merely selecting the number. This is a two-handed operation not easily accomplished while driving, but the added convenience of having one’s entire address book available for dialing is very attractive.
The phone software itself allows users to program as many as 50 quick-dial numbers and maintain a list of incoming and outgoing calls for quick call-backs. The numbers also can be saved to the PDA’s address book, which in turn synchronizes with desktop PCs.
The DigitalLink can receive--but not send--Short Message Service (SMS) messages. You can send and receive e-mail with the module and can reply to SMS senders if you know their e-mail addresses. The data flow at 19.2 kilobits per second--much slower than a standard 56 Kbps modem. That means this is not an ideal system for data-intensive functions such as browsing graphical Web pages.
However, those Web sites that cater to hand-held users work very well with the DigitalLink. I was able to log into Yahoo and check various items with ease. This newspaper’s Web page, however, was slower going and took more effort to negotiate on the Visor’s screen.
Some details of the DigitalLink are unsettled: It’s not clear what software Sprint or other CDMA service providers will deliver with the final units. Sprint is planning to start shipping its units in September. The units will be available at Sprint’s stores and its Web site at https://www.sprintpcs.com.
My demonstration unit featured the Blazer Web browser created by Handspring, and a PDA-friendly version of the Eudora e-mail client. Other programs could be loaded to perform similar functions.
Telephone sound quality seems to be as good as or better than the GSM-based module. Like the VisorPhone, the DigitalLink supports a headset, for easier conversations. Sprint said it will offer a Plantronics headset with its models.
For many users, the choice between the VisorPhone and the DigitalLink will come down to which carrier they’ve been using. To try to woo more people to its cause, the VisorPhone’s retail price has been reduced to $49 for those who sign on for a year of GSM service from Cingular Wireless, Powertel or VoiceStream Wireless.
Sprint is offering a variety of service plans that provide a “bucket of minutes” that could be used for voice, data or other custom calling services, according to a spokeswoman.
For those Sprint customers who don’t want the hassle of changing carriers and numbers, the DigitalLink will offer a good way to keep their number and perhaps upgrade their phone. For those with other budgetary needs, it might be good to start with a GSM service, given the lower price of the module, then switch to the next generation of CDMA service when Sprint and others roll it out during the next year.
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Mark A. Kellner is editor at large for Government Computer News and host “Mark Kellner on Computers” at https://www.adrenalineradio.com from 5 to 6 p.m. Thursdays.
