Leather Case with Built-In Wi-Fi Coming Soon

Enfora, Inc. has announced a carrying case for Palm-branded handhelds that will give them Wi-Fi wireless networking access.

The WP802b connects to the handheld through the HotSync port and is compatible with devices that use the Palm Universal Connector. It works with both Palm OS 4.1 and OS 5.0 devices.

Outdoors, it will have a maximum range of about 500 feet. Indoors, with walls and other obstacles, range will be closer to 100 feet. Data transfer speed depends on range, but the max speed will be 11 Mps.

One of the drawbacks of Wi-Fi is that it requires so much power that it drains the handheld's battery very quickly. The WP802b will have its own rechargeable battery that Enfora says will run for up to 24 hours on a single charge.

The WP802b is made of leather and, obviously, it also acts as a protective case for the handheld. It is 3.8 by 6.2 by 1.4 inches when closed.

This wireless-enabled case will be available sometime in the next three months. It will cost about $170.

About Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi, also called IEEE 802.11b, is a medium-range wireless networking protocol. It's typically used to allow mobile devices, like laptops and handhelds, to connect to networks and therefore the Internet. Networks can be set up at home or offices and an increasing number of coffee shops and other businesses offer Wi-Fi access.

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