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6000 - Tosa / Go for the 6000L or hold out for the 6000W?

« on: April 05, 2004, 03:35:33 pm »

The simple fact of the matter is that the average US consumer has no idea that Bluetooth even exists, let alone what it can be used for.  You can\'t be compelled by something which you don\'t know exists.

They may not know what \"Bluetooth\" is, but whatever it\'s called, they would understand \"check email or surf the web from anywhere that you have cell service,\" if only Sharp (or another manufacturer) would articulate the advantages of BT technology.

Oops. That\'s not what BlueTooth is nor what it does. BlueTooth is a peripheral connection technology that replaces short cables that tangle, clutter and become sentient (under my desk, anyway). You can use BT connections to do the things you suggest but you by no means need BT to do them; in fact, having BT alone won\'t allow you to check email wherever you have cell service -- you still need a phone and a service plan that allows you to check email. The same can be done with a cable.

Consumers (OK, some of them) \"get\" the usefulness of WiFi for their mobile devices, even though it accelerates battery drain and requires someone else (your workplace, your favorite Starbucks, etc) to supply the infrastructure to use it.  Bluetooth is the mobile data connectivity standard for the \"rugged individualist\" who wants internet access wherever he is, not just while drinking a $6 latte.

I really don\'t know what you are referring to here. Without some kind of access provider you\'re dead in the water with either 802.11b or BT or CAT5, or Coax, or... you get the idea, I hope.

So perhaps its not quite true that the average US consumer has no idea what BT is or what it allows one to do. Maybe some of the above average consummers have trouble, too.   :wink:

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6000 - Tosa / Go for the 6000L or hold out for the 6000W?

« on: April 05, 2004, 04:05:07 am »

Maybe this not making the SL-6000W available is a gimmick to get people to buy the 1xRTT card.    Maybe someone like Sprint even paid Sharp off to go that route.

Maybe Bluetooth isn\'t a compelling feature in the US marketplace...

I\'m quite interested in the 6000L. I thought I might like clamshell that one Sharp engineer carried around with him but the vertical/flat orientation is familiar to me (and the bulk of the marketplace).

Honestly I am more interested in the built-in 802.11b than the presence/absence of BT.  But then I\'m a thin client application developer who needs network connectivity like fish need water. I also work out of T-Mobile hotspots more often than not (Proof of my affliction) and buying another add-in card is not a pleasant thought. Which makes me sympathize with you BT lovers/needers.

The other thing that interests me is now that the WiFi is built-in does the unit (hardware/software) work more efficiently with finer control to preserve battery life longer?  The same question would hold true for BT built-in vs add-on.

I see myself making a purchase in the near future. Probably after I get the wife a new dining table to ease her pain a bit...