Pocket IR modem adds 56k to your Palm III

Okay, so the totally nifty Pocket IR Modem actually works with a few devices other than the antiquated Palm III, but it's clear these two were made for each other. Put simply, this device connects with any Pocket PC / Palm OS unit via IrDA and enables it to hop on the intarwebs in blazing fashion, but truthfully, it was designed to allow folks in the field to upload data more so than check your favorite gadget blog. Reportedly, ENR Technologies is hoping to loose these for $80 apiece if purchased in bulk, but it'll take $149 to snag one for personal use. All of a sudden, EDGE doesn't seem so bad, now does it?

[BigTeebo @ Feb 15th 2008 9:07AM]

This would be hot news, and worth the money.. if it were 1997.

[Ryan Trevisol @ Feb 15th 2008 9:58AM]

How do I spell "Slow News Day"? Palm III.

[Flashpoint @ Feb 15th 2008 10:19AM]

I had a Palm III Xe when I was working in the World Trade Center (the summer of 2001 - right before they blew it up)

As an organizer it was nothing more than a black&white rolodex. Back then, Wifi wasn't out and cellular phones with these functions cost well over $900.

I can't understand who'd bother connecting this thing to the POTS internet when it was designed specifically to sync with the desktop to get updates.

[ck @ Feb 16th 2008 4:49AM]

I have one of these (some other brand) lying around somewhere from when the Palm V was new. I used it once to check it worked, and then threw it in a box and haven't seen it since. My first (and only) impression was that it was a PITA keeping the IR port pointing at the modem.

I fail to see how this is news.

[ck @ Feb 16th 2008 4:51AM]

Aha - quick google search for "infrared modem" finds me this:

http://www.amazon.com/Psion-56kTravelModemUS-56k-Travel-Modem/dp/tech-data/B00004RKHF

Psion 56k travel modem, same as mine.

[KayMan2k @ Feb 15th 2008 9:07AM]

The 1990's called, they want their news story back. Seriously, a 56k modem making the front page of Engadget in 2008?

[AeroSigma @ Feb 15th 2008 2:10PM]

This is a technology blog. EVERY story is on the "front page" when it's posted.

[Saad Rabia @ Feb 15th 2008 9:13AM]

I would like an uglier and more expansive one, please.

[tom @ Feb 15th 2008 9:13AM]

Please....move on!

[dj-kenpo @ Feb 15th 2008 9:17AM]

I feel like I'm looking through old issues of popular science for the 90's. from my parents house.

my closet wants it's dust back.

[Trevsweb @ Feb 15th 2008 9:23AM]

Pulse | | Finger
nuff said

[Trevsweb @ Feb 15th 2008 9:23AM]

gah system ruined my joke... failed :(

[Erwos @ Feb 15th 2008 9:22AM]

I wouldn't mind an ethernet-to-Bluetooth-tethering modem, actually. It'd make a nice little fall-back connection in case the standard wired broadband went out. Granted, you'd have to pay for tethering that month, but that might be worth it if the repair work will take a while.

The problem with dial-up is that we don't have any wired land-line service - otherwise, it'd be fine (albeit slow), too.

[ToniCipriani @ Feb 15th 2008 9:29AM]

A bit too early for an April Fools joke... right?

[Matt @ Feb 15th 2008 9:40AM]

Is it April 1st yet?????? How long was I hibernated?

[kurosen @ Feb 15th 2008 9:38AM]

I remember doing exactly this with my Palm IIIc and my Nokia 8290 back when I was in college. I configured the phone as a modem and got around the equivalent of a 14.4kbps connection.... Back int those days, that wasn't too bad :p

[Gaz @ Feb 15th 2008 10:13AM]

Yeah same here! Except I was sitting in a bar with my mates getting drunk and trying to access porn on a Palm V. Not good, but thoroughly geeky!!

[Chris @ Feb 15th 2008 9:45AM]

This isn't even new. I *had* a device just like this back in the late 90's for my Palm V. It was actually an IR modem made for Psion PDA's that you could get to work with a special driver for Palm devices.

Even if this wasn't old... in a world of Bluetooth, Wifi and GSM networks, who in their right mind would spend $150 on something like this?

[david.druckman @ Feb 20th 2008 8:44AM]

Indeed, it would be hot news in 1990.
Hmm let me look in my pocket.. ah! a Nokia with an infra-red port.... that'll do the job; even better it has a battery as well !

[Teetdogs @ Feb 15th 2008 10:23AM]

The least they could have done is update the look of the stupid thing I mean come on at least make it LOOK modern.

[firesign @ Feb 15th 2008 10:34AM]

why is this filed under cellphones and wireless when it is, in fact, neither?

[Baz @ Feb 15th 2008 12:20PM]

I thought this was an Engadget post from 1998. this looks as antiquated as that mechanical calculator you posted earilier in the month but not as cool.

[hugh @ Feb 15th 2008 11:47AM]

works on a whole bunch of devices, including o2 xda. could be designed to be a backup to cell phones in places where coverage is sketchy?

[Daniel W. @ Feb 15th 2008 1:03PM]

To me it looks like an atari cartrige.

[Ed @ Feb 15th 2008 11:55PM]

I think it is absolutely hilarious that they are trying to sell these bastards for more than 10$.

They are nearly completely useless. WiFi hot spots are just about everywhere right now. You could spend that 150$ on that instead. A T-Mobile contract would cost less for the whole year.

No matter what way you look at it, you would have to spend at least 10$ a month just get the dial-up service to connect to the Internet. More, if it was your own private network with some dedicated land lines for incoming connections. Not to mention, that the vast majority of all businesses and private networks use VPN for remote clients and not modem banks anymore.

I don't think hotels will support a modem going out from them anymore either. Last I checked most of them went 100% digital on the phones (A PABX system that can damage older modem equipment; requires special couplers/suppressors) and offered an Ethernet connection right in the room. The hotel would just advise you to use their Internet instead, as they make more money that way.

An interesting piece of technology, just a decade too late for the market and the supporting technology and services have long since disappeared and become obsolete as well.

[jdp123 @ Feb 16th 2008 12:19AM]

Doh! I just threw away my psion Ird modem that I bought on flea-bay like 7 years ago to sync up my Ipaq 1910 to the net...Actually I just threw that away too..i paid 50 bux for the modem back then..