700m: an "internal" BlueTooth solution, sort of, maybe?

OK, I stumbled across this story from my local paper (St. Pete Times online), and about half-way down the page, there's a picture of a Palm BlueTooth SD card:



The news story references it as a $129 price. A little steep, but I went to the Palm website to see..and it's not listed.

Amazon has it on their site (PalmOne Bluetooth SDIO Card, US), but it's either not stocked or discontinued.

So I went looking for other BT SD cards. This is what I've found so far:

Socket BL4800-392 Socket Bluetooth Card $94.95 available from Office Depot (through Amazon)

Toshiba Bluetooth SD Card III - network adapter ( PA3370U-1BTM ) $102.99

Toshiba PA3271U-1BTM Bluetooth SD IO Card - not stocked by Amazon or discontinued

So, I'm thinking that I can try to pick up one of these (maybe cheap on eBay), and use it in Windows XP to give me "internal" BT. I'd rather not give up the PCMCIA slot, and I'm not using the SD slot on my 700m for anything...

Anyone have any thoughts on this? Or know if Dell sells a BlueTooth SD card?

edit: FOUND IT ON THE DELL SITE!

SOCKET COMMUNICATIONS
SDIO Connection Kit with Bluetooth Wireless Technology (not compatible with Axim X30)

Cost: $120.52 - 10% off ($12.05) = $108.47 + tax, free shipping. If I use my $100 Concession coupon, I can get this for $9.06 shipped!

OK, I searched their site, and it seems to suggest this card MIGHT be able to be used in Windows XP. From their online help:

"If you purchased our Bluetooth Connection Kit for Windows CE and would like drivers for Windows 98SE/Me/ 2000/XP, you can purchase the Bluetooth Windows Upgrade Kit, which includes the software and documentation as well as a special extended CF-to-PC Card adapter designed specifically for our Bluetooth Card. To purchase, click here and choose the country based on your language choice. Click here for more information on the Bluetooth Windows Upgrade Kit.

Note: If you have purchased the Full Bluetooth Connection Kit and Adapter, then you ALREADY have the correct Windows software. If you lost the installation CD and need to download the drivers for the CF-to-PC card adapter, visit our registration page and post your request for technical support."

That is talking about the CF BT card, so I'm thinking maybe it applies to their SD version as well. I fired off a support request to their pre-sales, to see if they could clarify it for me. If it DOES work in Windows XP, I'm all over ordering it for under $10 shipped!

Uh, no. Why would I want to try and put a USB adapter INSIDE, possibly causing heat issues, and for that matter, possibly scratching or chipping my 700m case, when I can just as easily use the SD slot, which I'm not using anyway?

Plus, doing it the way you describe, I'd have SOME type of cable hanging out the bag, snagging on things, and getting pulled out of the USB port which is ON THE SIDE.

And using the SD card, I don't tie up either of the USB ports nor use USB power, which would drain the battery faster.

Exactly! I've been looking for something to use the $100 Concession coupon on, and this looks like the perfect thing. I'm just waiting to hear from their pre-sales about whether it works in XP or not.

Sweet! But I'm going to order it from Dell...hate to waste the $100 Concession coupon, though, if there's a chance it won't work. You make some good points later on. I wish I could pick it up locally and TRY it, then return it and buy it from Dell if it works....maybe my local Office Depot has one in stock.

For that matter...I wonder if I can get Dell to pricematch the $85 price...? (Yes, Dell does price match other vendors!) Not sure how they'd factor in my $100 concession coupon though.

The biggest reason I won't try that suggestion is because I'd have to figure out SOME way to get the USB extender cable from the USB BT dongle (assuming I could FIND a plce to put it inside the case) to OUTSIDE the case to the USB port on the side. That means having a cable hanging out (as the USB connecter is at least ¼" long), and possibly cutting a hold in the case to do so. And a USB port would be used. And using a USB port uses power from the battery, meaning less time is available.

The BT SD card is SO much easier, SO much better, and SO much more practical. It would result in:

• a nice, clean look (since the SD card is inside the slot)
• actually USING the SD slot, which in my case is just sitting there (and like I said, c'mon, how many of us 700m owners actually use the SD slot?)
• no additional (or very little, based on the SD slot usage) piower drawn from the battery
• leaves both USB ports open
• no opportunity to possibly snag the extending cable on something and rip it out

Plus, if you want to use the SD slot for something else, say, your digital camera's memory card, you just pop out the BT SD and pop in your SD memory card.

Show me ONE reason why trying to fit a USB BT dongle inside the case is a good idea. Go ahead. Show me. Because I can't think of any.

Well, we know how intelligent THOSE people are.

But I'm inclined to believe that in this case, they (and you) are correct, and that the 700m DOES support SDIO and that this card WILL work. Heck, Dell should list it on the 700m accessories page as an add-on! Think of how many 700m owners have complained about no internal BT...and how many don't want to use a USB BT dongle. I'm betting they could sell a LOT more of these if they actually work.

Eh...doesn't matter their nationality to me. As long as they're competent, I'm happy with them. I got an EXTREMELY nice Indian CSR last nite, who went OUT of her way to help me - even after the chat closed (system error on their side), she emailed me to say she'd taken care of my issue (they cancelled an order for no apparent reason, and she put it back in for me) and that if I had any other issues, for me to email her back directly.

laffingbilly will probably get his before I do, seeing as he already ordered it. I'm still waiting to hear back from the company about whether it actually does work in XP or not. No response as of yet, though the info laffingbilly posted seems to suggest it does.

Oh SWEET! You should probably get it like tomorrow! LOL I'm wondering when the 10% off handhelds at Dell ends...that saves me like $12 and change. I'd go aheada nd order it now, but I really wanna wait and see your results dude.