Palm SD Wi-Fi Card Review
Using a Treo is a fascinating experience. Two or three times per year features are added to these wonderful devices that make our lives easier and more productive. One missing feature that has left Palm OS and Windows Mobile Treo users alike wanting is integrated Wi-Fi. Enter the Palm SD Wi-Fi Card.
Integrated Wi-Fi (80211.g/b) allows users to access high speed wireless networks anywhere nodes are available, such as at home, work, or at the local coffee shop. Earlier this year, Palm began releasing Treo smartphones that run on Windows Mobile (such as the Treo 700w and Treo 700wx) with integrated drivers that support their SD Wi-Fi card. So if you own a Treo 700w/wx, this feature can now be yours with Palm’s SD Wi-Fi card.
Installation…
Because Palm integrated the drivers to support this card into the operating system, no installation is necessary. Simply insert the card into the Treo’s SD card slot (on the top of the phone) and you are off and running! You will be greeted by a message advising you to turn off the phone’s radio while using the card. Then you have the option of using the left soft menu to dismiss the message.
After the card is inserted into the slot, the card’s green light will illuminate displaying that its indeed receiving power. The device will then seek out wireless networks in your surrounding area. After the Treo discovers available networks, you will then be prompted to choose the network to which you wish to connect. If your wireless network is encrypted, you will be prompted to enter the code assigned. If you don’t know whether your network is encrypted or not, you will want to review the software that came with your wireless router where the security/encryption code will be listed.
Rubber Meets the Road…
After installing the card and entering your codes, you are free to start surfing! Using Internet Explorer, you can access all of your stored favorites and surf just like you do using your carrier’s data network. While Sprint’s EV-DO Network is fast, it did not seem as snappy as surfing on a Wi-Fi network. For this review, I used the Palm Wi-Fi SD Card on a Linksys 802.11b and a Linksys 802.11g wireless router. It worked flawlessly on both connections although it did seem a little faster on the 802.11g network. In addition to Internet explorer, you can also use MSN Messenger, access email with your messaging application, stream internet radio with Resco Pocket Radio, and connect to your exchange server through Activesync.
The one application that I could not get to work was the popular VOIP application, Skype. Several attempts at this resulted in lockups and soft resets. Other than this application, all others worked seamlessly.
As one who was accustomed to having integrated wireless on a handheld and now missing it on a Treo, it is great to have it again. For anyone looking to connect to a wireless local area network, the Palm SD Wi-Fi Card is a solid solution and I highly recommend it.
Pros:
- Drivers are built into the operating system, less space taken away from the device.
- Able to access high-speed data networks.
- Includes PPTP VPN client for secure access to corporate networks.
- Supports WEP encryption with 64 or 128 bit key length.
- Supports infrastructure or peer-to-peer (ad-hoc) connectivity.
Cons:
- The card does not insert flush to the Treo’s design. Cases that flip over the Treo will need to remain open while in use.
- A protective case would have been nice for the card for safer portability.
Related Links
Purchase Palm SD Wi-Fi Card
Discuss Acessories in the Treo Discussion Forum
Filed under: Accessory reviews
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More Cons:
Doesn’t do WPA
Doesn’t work with a 600 or 650
Any idea when drivers will be available for the 700P?
O Palm, O Palm, why do you continue to forsake us Palm OS users?
Sorry not clear from the review, apologies if I missed it, but which Treo you running the card on
Why do you say “One missing feature that has left Palm OS…”
when it wont work for this?
What a tease.
and why dont you review
http://www.buygpsnow.com/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=611
its half the price almost?
Lets do some requests to Palm to release a driver that work with Treo 650.
AFAIK the PalmOS Palm Treos (600, 650 and 700p) DON’T have “official” drivers or support for this card - this article doesn’t make that very clear.
There are ways to make this card work on PalmOS Treos, but apparently it requires a bit of hacking and soft resets to switch between the cellular radio and the wifi radio. Don’t run out and plop down the $100+ for this card unless you are up for the challenge.
Your teaser in the email implies that the WiFi card can be used on a Treo with Palm OS when in fact it can’t. “One missing feature that has left Palm OS and Windows Mobile Treo users alike wanting is integrated Wi-Fi. Enter the Palm SD Wi-Fi Card.” That’s kind of a sleazy way to get me to click through to your website.
Why no Wi-Fi for the 700P? Come on Palm, give us a break.
The fact that they haven’t done anything to make this or other WiFi cards work with the Treo650 is pitiful. One of the most in-demand features, and for a user-base that far exceeds the 700-line… and they just left us hanging. I don’t care if it is some marketting gimick to get us to “upgrade” to the 700w. First, I would never get a Windows Mobile device (the UI and general useability is horrible). And second, I paid several hundred dollars for my 650… I’m not trading up anytime soon cuz Palm is trying to rip us off. That’s why those hackers rigged up their own WiFi card for the 650… they were tired of hoping Palm would lend a hand). Shame on Palm. Palm users are generally very loyal, but actions like this (or rather, lack of action) undermines that loyalty.
I´m still waiting tha it works in treo 650!!!!!!
So why is it that this will not work on the 650? Is their a way to make it work or is it hardware/software issue?
Compatible with: Treo 700w, Treo 700wx only.
So once again the Palm OS afficionado’s are left in the cold…
At this rate, I may switch to a SE P990i or so…
> One missing feature that has left Palm OS …
so, where does palm os coem in here?
Treo 650 users can get wifi going with Enfora’s sled if you don’t mind adding half an inch to the thickness of your phone. IMO it would be fine for access at airports etc. but still doesn’t do WPA so I couldn’t connect to my corporate LAN.
https://www.enfora.com/shop/detail.aspx?ID=43
If you can get wifi in a tungsten now why can’t they get us something for Treos?
I will not buy an upgrade for my Treo650
until Palm either integrates Wi-Fi (preferably)
or provides drivers for the Wi-Fi SD card. No
more money for them from me. This is why
big companies get away with crappy service;
people continue to give them money for less.
Makes no sense.
what a lame “review”! it’s a teaser! why on earth did i click on that link? YOU WAISTED MY CLICK, and time!
that’s it! i am switching to HP iPAQ. check my Treo on eBay in the next couple of days.
One feature that has left us wanting. IOW, one feature that is missing to us. Us Palm OS people mostly.
That wasn’t such a tough turn of phrase that so many of you misinterpreted it.
Palm, this is seriously lame. Treo 650…drivers…please!!! You said it would support wifi, so I bought one -but as yet, it doesn’t. Where is my driver!!???
I have a 650 - and from the above, I obviously don’t have WiFi capability. It is ridicuolous . . . If Palm wnat to have a viable os going forward, the drivers need to come!!
I have an old Tungsten W, will the WiFi SD card work with it?