Probably a pretty basic question about internet/bluetooth etc

[Tacsian]

I want to use my X50 to connect to the internet when I'm out and about and not near any WIFI type spots. Can I do this via Bluetooth through a cellphone or through one of these Audiovox cards or any other method and if so: 1) is this sort of "tethering" allowed by any/most/some providers? 2)What sort of speeds can one get in terms of receiving data/web pages? 3)Any recommendations on what phone, card, and/or provider to go with?

My need is simple - I'm often out in the field which can be a warehouse or an estate or a business and need to access the web to lookup some specs on an item or see what competitors are selling an item for, etc. I have both a CF slot and SD slot barcode/EAN scanner which I'd like to use as well in my Axim to scan in information and then transmit that via I hope, bluetooth, through my cellphone, to the web, to get information on that product. So whatever I go with, I'd have to be able to use one of the slots on the Axim for the scanner.

Any help out there is appreciated!

[puntloos]

I want to use my X50 to connect to the internet when I'm out and about and not near any WIFI type spots. Can I do this via Bluetooth through a cellphone and if so:

Definately possible.

1) is this sort of "tethering" allowed by any/most/some providers?

It's usually just a matter of your phone being able to do it. Also with the crappy bluetooth stack it MIGHT be possible that the phone just doesn't communicate properly i.e. it doesn't work. In general: yeah it works. SOME providers intentionally disable bluetooth but I think that's rare.

2)What sort of speeds can one get in terms of receiving data/web pages?

With GPRS: about 4kbyte/second. With UMTS/EDGE, 40kbyte/second. (of course assuming full coverage.

3)Any recommendations on what phone and/or provider to go with?

That depends on way too many variables to answer. (where you live, what you intend to do with internet and so on). In general I would say get the cheapest, lightest, smallest phone that has bluetooth, since you will doing all your non-phone-related things with your axim.

My need is simple - I'm often out in the field which can be a warehouse or an estate or a business and need to access the web to lookup some specs on an item or see what competitors are selling an item for, etc. I have both a CF slot and SD slot barcode/EAN scanner which I'd like to use as well in my Axim to scan in information and then transmit that via I hope, bluetooth, through my cellphone, to the web, to get information on that product.

Quite possible.

Any help out there is appreciated!

Good luck.

[AKAJohnDoe]

Most BT enabled cell phones will work; however, the data plan requirements of the cellular providers can be a challenge to sort through. You might check out Howard Forums for more detailed information on that front.