LisaG
PDA Addict
Reged: 07/11/02
Posts: 6311
Loc: Texas
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You've waited long enough, and now SanDisk has final drivers for their SD WiFi card and the PalmOne Zire 71!!! SanDisk sent us the drivers today, though they haven't gone public yet, so won't find them on their web site just yet. We'll post further info as it becomes available.
Update: The drivers are 149k in size, for those who were wondering. The drivers won't work with the older revision SanDisk SD WiFi card. Revision 2.1 is required (SanDisk sent us the new card with the drivers). Zire 71 owners, don't buy the old revision card, it won't work with your PDA. Wait for the new card to hit the streets in the upcoming weeks. The packaging will be different from the old card and it will indicate Zire 71 compatability. SanDisk told me the card should sell for around $99 (the old list price was $129, but their new SD WiFi + 256 megs RAM card is $129, so the plain WiFi card price had to drop).
The driver will not work on other models of PalmOne PDAs. Really. Due to hardware and driver differences in each model, SanDisk must customize the driver for each one (*ouch*). They are still working on drivers for other palmOne models. Some will require an OS patch from PalmOne. I know some folks like to bash SanDisk over Palm drivers for thier card, but some of the issues are out of their control, such as required OS patches which must come from palmOne.
It doesn't sound like we'll be seeing Treo 600 drivers  The existing wireless radio requirements and very low power provided by the Treo's SD slot make it quite hard to get a card working.
Here are some screen shots:
Our review of the SanDisk SD WiFi card: http://www.pdabuyersguide.com/tips/sandisk_SD_wifi.htm
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Da Editor
http://www.mobiletechreview.com
Edited by LisaG (06/18/04 02:33 PM)
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Is this a joke or is this real? Sorry for the skepticism, but SanDisk hasn't exactly been the most reliable of companies in regards to their Palm support. And what of drivers for the Tungsten T's, E's, and Zire 72?
I will withhold my excitement until I actually see someone using this card on an actual Palm PDA.
TMann
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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I dont think that this is a lie, considering there is even screen shots!
Hopefully its not anyway- also you fail to tell us if the best PDA out right now can use this... the Tapwave Zodiac!
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LisaG
PDA Addict
Reged: 07/11/02
Posts: 6311
Loc: Texas
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I'm in the business of providing news and information about products, and I never, never would post a practical joke. The driver is real.
This driver only works on the Zire 71. SanDisk has released statements in the past that the reason it's taking so long to release drivers is that the driver needs to be tweaked for each model. I also tried it on a T3 and it loads but can't connect to an access point, so the driver won't work for other models.
I've asked SanDisk about and ETA for public release of the driver and when we might see drivers for other models. I will post here when they give a reply.
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Da Editor
http://www.mobiletechreview.com
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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it would take all of ten minutes to knock up a screen shot so that means nothing. If you really want wifi and bluetooth go and buy a T3 ( which will have both soon ) rather than winging about a bargain basement model that you have bought that has never said it would do either.
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Lisa,
My apologies. I actually didn't mean for my comments to come out as a knock on your reviews or your website, (I'm a frequent visitor here.)
However, I must say that we have received a lot of spotty promises from San Disk over the last year and it does make one a bit skeptical.  I'll be anxiously awaiting your follow-up reviews!
BTW, any word of drivers for the Tungstens or the Zire 71?
TMann
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LisaG
PDA Addict
Reged: 07/11/02
Posts: 6311
Loc: Texas
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Little hostile, aren't you? The T3 doesn't have WiFi. How will it soon have both? PalmOne would give it a different model number if they released one that had both. One can purchase the Enfora Wireless Portfolio right now to add WiFi to palmOne brand PDAs running OS 5 with a universal connector.
Quote:
it would take all of ten minutes to knock up a screen shot so that means nothing. If you really want wifi and bluetooth go and buy a T3 ( which will have both soon ) rather than winging about a bargain basement model that you have bought that has never said it would do either.
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Da Editor
http://www.mobiletechreview.com
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LisaG
PDA Addict
Reged: 07/11/02
Posts: 6311
Loc: Texas
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I understand, we've been waiting a long time for the drivers *sigh*
I was really surprised when they send me a card and a CD with the drivers for the Zire 71! I'll post further info as I receive it from SanDisk here.
Quote:
Lisa,
My apologies. I actually didn't mean for my comments to come out as a knock on your reviews or your website, (I'm a frequent visitor here.)
However, I must say that we have received a lot of spotty promises from San Disk over the last year and it does make one a bit skeptical. I'll be anxiously awaiting your follow-up reviews!
BTW, any word of drivers for the Tungstens or the Zire 71?
TMann
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Da Editor
http://www.mobiletechreview.com
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Oh man...BH just said that the Palm OS drivers for the SD WiFi card from Sandisk will only be compatible with the Zire 71 .
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jemedwards
junior member
Reged: 06/18/04
Posts: 3
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Ummm - so what does this mean for me as an owner of a Zire 71? Not much of a techie so I'm not sure if I understand this news. Does this mean that if I buy a particular SanDisk card for my Z71 (which card?), and download the drivers (when available) from the SanDisk website to install on my PDA, I can then surf the web in someplace like Borders, for instance? Or is there some other software and stuff I'd also need to buy?
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Quote:
Hopefully its not anyway- also you fail to tell us if the best PDA out right now can use this... the Tapwave Zodiac!
And fail to mention it about the best PalmOS device the Treo 600.
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LisaG
PDA Addict
Reged: 07/11/02
Posts: 6311
Loc: Texas
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It looks like you'll need the latest revision card (2.1) and the drivers. Then you'd be able to surf the web at HotSpots and at home/work if a WiFi connection is available. Of course, you'll need a browser to surf. I believe that palmOne is now selling their WebPro web browser separately for those who didn't receive it bundled with a PDA.
Quote:
Ummm - so what does this mean for me as an owner of a Zire 71? Not much of a techie so I'm not sure if I understand this news. Does this mean that if I buy a particular SanDisk card for my Z71 (which card?), and download the drivers (when available) from the SanDisk website to install on my PDA, I can then surf the web in someplace like Borders, for instance? Or is there some other software and stuff I'd also need to buy?
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Da Editor
http://www.mobiletechreview.com
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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I'm hoping i can still use the card that I bought last October, you know, when Scamdisk said they would release the drivers. I spent $120 on that card and ill be damned if Scamdisk says i need a new card for a broken promise and corporate corruption. My card already says low power, i believe it will still work with my zire 71. If it doesnt work, then im stuck with a card that only works with Pocket PC's and out $120. Dont believe what they say, the existing card will work with the zire71.
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Lisa,
This is great news! Thank you so much. However.............as a T3 owner I am puzzled as to why SanDisk skipped this model, as it has the faster processor, more memory, etc?? Or....are they testing the driver on a lower-powered model first? Do you have any idea when we T3 owners might expect a driver? Thanks for keeping us frustrated Palm OS 5 users up to date on this issue!
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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When SanDisk eventually releases the drivers publically, how much memory will the drivers take up on the palm itself. I have a Zire 71, and I was just wondering, as with this sd card taking up the slot, I won't be able to add additional memory.
Also, once this is reralesed to the public, should I wait for the C-Guys card as thirs takes up less power, or should I justt go ahead and get the SanDisk one? How much do you think the SanDisk one will cost?
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LisaG
PDA Addict
Reged: 07/11/02
Posts: 6311
Loc: Texas
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The installer places 4 files on your Palm that take up only 149k of space.
The list price for the SanDisk SD WiFi card will be reduced since the WiFi + 256 megs RAM card will be $129. SanDisk said the new price will be $90 to $99.
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Da Editor
http://www.mobiletechreview.com
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Anyone out there know if it can work with a Sharp Zaurus C860?
Would it even be advisable from a user-perspective? The card appears longer than a regular SD card.
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LisaG
PDA Addict
Reged: 07/11/02
Posts: 6311
Loc: Texas
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I'll be speaking with the product manager on Monday and I'll be sure to ask about the T3 drivers and post what I find here.
Quote:
Lisa,
This is great news! Thank you so much. However.............as a T3 owner I am puzzled as to why SanDisk skipped this model, as it has the faster processor, more memory, etc?? Or....are they testing the driver on a lower-powered model first? Do you have any idea when we T3 owners might expect a driver? Thanks for keeping us frustrated Palm OS 5 users up to date on this issue!
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Da Editor
http://www.mobiletechreview.com
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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can you send me the drivers for the card. I have this thing where I cant trust big corporations anymore.
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LisaG
PDA Addict
Reged: 07/11/02
Posts: 6311
Loc: Texas
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The Zaurus C860 doesn't support SDIO, so it won't work. A CF WiFi card is your best bet.
Quote:
Anyone out there know if it can work with a Sharp Zaurus C860?
Would it even be advisable from a user-perspective? The card appears longer than a regular SD card.
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Da Editor
http://www.mobiletechreview.com
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