| Software turns phones into Bluetooth-based kiosks |
Apr. 28, 2008
 Zurado Systems has announced software that allows Bluetooth-enabled Windows Mobile phones or PDAs to send or receive proximity-based information. Targeting retail, exhibitions, store displays, and even personal use, Please Explain That (PXT) sends text, images, and audio over a range of about 30 feet, says Zurado.
PXT is not compatible with HTML or web browsers, but, like an HTTP server, is able to host text, graphics (in JPG and GIF formats), and audio (in WAV format). Server software known as PXT Portal runs on any Bluetooth-equipped Windows Mobile device, ready to send out information on request to client devices that come within range of its wireless connection.
The required client software, PXT Probe, also runs on Bluetooth-equipped Windows Mobile devices. In fact, a single device could be both a server and a client, which Zurado notes is useful for testing purposes. In a more typical usage scenario, however, PXT Portal installations would be fixed -- in store windows, museum diplays, or properties for sale, perhaps -- while PXT Probe users will be alerted to their presence by signs.
 
PXT Probe software finds and lists PXT Portal servers
PXT Probe software, a free download, can be used to "sniff" for PXT Portal servers whenever the user wishes (above left). When one or more servers are within range, they will appear in a list on the application's main screen (above right). PXT Probe can be used to browse the servers and will also cache any information thereby obtained.
 
PXT Portal sites offer simple text and graphics
As suggested, PXT Portal capabilities are limited compared to those on the web. Sites cannot contain hyperlinks, for example, and must be browsed via a simple hierarchy of pages (above left). Authoring is done using simple text, with a few special commands that allow inserting line breaks, adding new paragraphs, and centering text. There are also commands to embed GIF and JPG graphics (above right) as well as WAV files.
 
PXT Portal can track hits and lock out users if desired
Other server functionality includes the ability to track the number of hits on a site (above left) and to create an ACL (access control list). Regarding the latter, Zurado points out that most PXT Portal installations should probably be public, by their very nature. However, the ACL can be employed to lock out misbehaving users.
Neither PXT Probe nor PXT Portal software makes any use of a phone's wide area connection or WiFi functionality. Therefore, as well as avoiding carrier service charges, the programs can also run on a Windows Mobile-based PDA, as long as such a device has Bluetooth.
Zurado touts PXT Portal software as being an ideal use for otherwise "retired" Windows Mobile phones. But, for those who don't happen to have Bluetooth-equipped mobiles lying around in their sock drawers, the company also offers the PXT Transponder. Though hardware specifications were not released, the Transponder is a Bluetooth-equipped, "candy-bar-sized" box with no buttons, switches, or screen. It can be plugged into a PC for setup and content transfer, then used to host data in exactly the same way as the PXT Portal software.
Currently in beta, PXT Probe and PXT Portal software are freely downloadable from the Zurado website, here. The company has not released pricing for the software or PXT Transponder hardware.
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