|
|
 |
|
Where can I expect to see Bluefish Access Points?
Will the public be able to download information from my Bluefish Access Points?
What devices does Bluefish support?
How much memory does Bluefish take up on the handheld?
Do I need to build my application/solution on AvantGo?
Why do I need Bluefish when 802.11b devices are becoming available?
Why do I need Bluefish if I can sync all the data through my cradle?
What types of Bluefish Access Points are there?
Why do I need a Bluefish Server?
Can a Bluefish Access Point recognize a specific person's PDA, and send customized information to that person?
Who is Bluefish Wireless? Where are you located and when did you start your business?
Where can I expect to see Bluefish Access Points?
Currently, you can find Bluefish at Laptop Lane business centers in the Chicago and Atlanta airports. Bluefish is working with a variety of media companies that intend to place Bluefish Access Points on billboards in airports and major city centers. In addition, Bluefish Access Points will be rolling out to college campuses, tradeshows and conventions, and various businesses, including transportation and professional services companies.
Will the public be able to download information from my Bluefish Access Points?
Anyone with a PalmOS handheld device can download information from any Bluefish Access Point that they see. Some Access Points may have "private" information for specific employees, customers or students. Even in the case where the Access Point is primarily used for institution-specific data transfer there will normally be content for the general public to download. Users will be able to "upload" any Bluefish-enabled information that they want to send.
What devices does Bluefish support?
Bluefish currently supports all PalmOS devices. Bluefish is currently working on supporting Pocket PC.
How much memory does Bluefish take up on the handheld?
The amount of memory that Bluefish will take up on user's handhelds will vary greatly depending upon the use for which you have downloaded Bluefish. A workflow automation application may take up to 1MG of memory. Public downloads are typically no greater than 200k.
Do I need to build my application/solution on AvantGo?
Bluefish has designed much of its software around the AvantGo Platform. Bluefish took this route because AvantGo has the most robust browser and backend tools for developing enterprise solutions. However, Bluefish Access Points can deliver applications to end users that are not built on AvantGo. Customers who have created such applications simply use Bluefish's SDK to Bluefish-enable their content.
Why do I need Bluefish when 802.11b devices are becoming available?
802.11b devices are coming to market. However, an 802.11b-enabled PDA has significant drawbacks that will most likely reduce their adoption cycle. First, they require a much stronger source of power, making the battery life of the device much shorter before needing to be put into the cradle for recharging. Secondly, it requires an add-on, making the device much bulkier. In addition, the relatively high cost of rolling out an 802.11 network will make their deployment limited to only certain areas.
Despite the drawbacks of 802.11 devices, the Bluefish system offers functionality that cannot be achieved solely with an 802.11 network and an 802.11 device: location-based information and data-transfer. The Bluefish Network is a low cost, efficient means to get data in and out of handheld devices.
Why do I need Bluefish if I can sync all the data through my cradle?
Bluefish offers the physical network through which users can send and receive data. Therefore, mobile professionals who may not have a laptop, or may often be away from their laptop and their Internet connection, can use the Bluefish network to get the latest information and to update corporate databases.
What types of Bluefish Access Points are there?
Bluefish currently has a number of different types of Access Points, which can be mixed and matched to fit any customer's needs.
Access Point to Server/Backend Communication
900MHz Access Point
The 900MHz Bluefish Access Point is Bluefish Wireless's premier product. The 900MHz Access Point is ideal for many environments. It needs to have a Bluefish Server within a mile range.
- Battery Operated (Low Power)
- Long range RF
- High Wall Penetration
802.11b Access Point
The 802.11b Access Point is perfect for environments that already have an 802.11 network. The range of 802.11 is shorter than the 900MHz, but the data transfer rate is faster. Like the 900MHz Access Point, the 802.11b Access Point sends and receives data through a Bluefish Server.
- Line Powered
- High Data Transfer Rate
ReFLEX™ Pager Access Point
The ReFLEX Pager Access Point is ideal for companies who want to deploy Bluefish in a wide area, throughout a city for example. The Access Points are stand-alone and don't require a Server within range.
- Line Powered
- Low data transfer rate
- Very Flexible Placement
Wired Access Point
In environments where you need an Access Point but wireless is not workable, either because you need higher speed or regulation prohibits the use of wireless, Bluefish Access Points can be wired directly into your corporate LAN
- High data transfer rate
- Low mobility
Access Point to Handheld Communication
Infrared
Infrared communication to the handheld is incorporated in Bluefish's flagship product. All the handheld devices in the market today have an IR port, making the Access Point a low cost way to communicate with a broad range of devices. No additional hardware is necessary on the user's device.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth-enabled devices are coming to market and Bluefish is ready to support them. With a Bluetooth-enable Access Point, a user will be able to exchange information without standing in front of the access point during data transfer.
Why do I need a Bluefish Server?
If you use the Bluefish Access Point that works on the ReFLEX pager, you do not need a Bluefish Server. However, the Server acts as a key component to any RF-based solution. The Bluefish Server has a designated connection to the Internet and manages the information on all Bluefish Access Points within range. In addition, the Server acts as an on-location conduit for information being received from users' handhelds.
Can a Bluefish Access Point recognize a specific person's PDA, and send customized information to that person?
Bluefish will be able to recognize a specific PDA via a unique UserID. Users will be able to receive customized information within a defined setting. For example, a Student will get customized data when they beam on an Access Point at their University. They will not receive the same level of customization when they beam on an Access Point at the airport.
Who is Bluefish Wireless? Where are you located and when did you start your business?
Bluefish Wireless Inc. started operations in May 2000 and is located in two offices - one in San Francisco, California, and one in Sydney, New South Wales in Australia. The company was founded by James Fisher, and is backed by a number of individual investors and venture capitalists.
|
|
|
