Wireless Devices - What is Available?

In an ideal world, all wireless devices would:

	Operate on all wireless networks
	Have a complete complement of peripherals
	Be useable with the required application
	Work while out of radio coverage
	Have the correct sized display
	Be rugged and stand up to the abuse of mobile use
	Be inexpensive

In practice, all of the above parameters do not exist today in a single device. Devices are built to run on specific wireless networks, not all devices have the same complement of peripherals and not all devices work with all applications etc. Therefore, as with most things in life, there are trade-offs that must be made when selecting the most practical wireless device for each given situation. The next sections examine the pros and cons of each device category and provide the reader with background from which to evaluate and select a wireless device for their specific need.

This article looks at the main types of wireless devices and examines the pros and cons of each type. Broadly speaking there are 5 types of wireless devices: