|
|
Date: |
July
25th, 2002 |
| Type: |
Review |
| Supplier: |
Extended
Systems |
| Author: |
mayhem |
| R.R.P: |
IrDA
PC Adapter: $130 R.R.P. (AUS) - IrDA Printer Adapter: $220 R.R.P.
(AUS) |
Testing (PC Adapter)
In order to test the PC Adapter we used Logo Manager, which allows you
to modify certain features of your Mobile phone via IrDA or a direct cable
connection (data cable), there are a number of other things that can be
achieved with this IrDA PC Adapter:
- Synchronisation
with a Palm V
- Remote Control
of Winamp or DVD
- Copy files between
PC and Laptop
After installing
Logo Manager (demo available at http://www.logomanager.co.uk/,
or you can purchase it for $25) a very simple logo was designed with the
very easy to use GUI. The Logo Manager software even gives you a preview
of what the logo will look like on your phones screen. (There are many
other features that Logo Manager supports, you can reset your phone, download
information, such as your phone book, from your phone and also send Logos
and information via your SMS network to friends).
Once the logo was
ready all that was required was to activate the mobile phones Infrared
feature and and put it in the range (upto 1m - 3 feet) of the XTNDAccess
Adapter, the red light instantly began to flash on the Adapter as the
unit communicated with the Mobile phone. When Logo Manager recognised
the phone as being connected (information about connection and network
are presented in the status bar of Logo Manager) it was simply a matter
of clicking the send button and then the mobile phone will beeped once
the logo has been received.
As you can see below
the result of less than 2 minutes work is quite rewarding, and after playing
around with Logo Manager you can come up with more and more complex logos
and unlock more features of your phone.
The XTNDAccess PC
Adapter can be used for many more applications, basically anything supported
the IrDA 1.1 protocol, this makes it rather flexible and a handy gadget
to have lying around, as more and more devices become IrDA connectable.
Testing (Printer
Adapter)
In order to test the Printer Adapter an old laptop was used to print a
simple document written in Wordpad and a Printer Test Page. In order to
achieve this the laptop was placed within the range of the Printer Adapter
(1m - 3 feet, within 30 degrees of the IrDA sensor/transmitter) and the
normal printing procedure was followed (making sure the appropriate printer
was enabled as the default printer).
The XTNDAccess Printer
Adapter provides great flexibility for those with mobile devices, such
as a Laptop who don't want to have to connect either a network cable or
a printer cable in order to print documents, this provides a "walk-up
and print" functionality which is becoming more and more present
in todays fast paced IT industry.
Conclusion
Overall both the products performed well for purpose with no real issues
arising. The XTNDAccess IrDA PC Adapter is rather handy for those people
without a Laptop (or those with a Laptop who want like to communicate
using the Infrared port to their PC) in order to communicate with a larger
range of devices. The XTNDAccess IrDA Printer Adapter is extremely useful
in office applications where it is required to print without a connection
to the network, but with most modern printers there is a possibility of
Infrared port as an option available when purchased.
Pros
External so you
can take them from PC to PC
Compatible with
just about every IrDA equipped device (provided you have the software
to communicate)
Robust Construction
Black (everything
these days is Black, its just sexier)
No Power Connection
Required (IrDA Adapter)
Cons
External (if you
only want it for a single computer)
Extra leads for
your printer (IrDA Printer Adapter) take up extra desktop space.
A special thanks
goes out to Amy Childress of Point Communications and Extended Systems
for supplying these XTNDAccess IrDA products for our review. If you would
like to find out some more information on this unit or any of the Extended
Systems product range then please visit the Extended Systems website located
at http://www.extendedsystems.com/.
Score: 9 / 10
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