mini-FAQ (last modified Friday, 17-Nov-2006 20:58:23 CET):

(You may want to check Option's FAQ as well )

Q: What is the FirstFone?
A: It is a GSM phone built in a Type II PC Card.

Q: Does every FirstFone work with Newton?
A: According to a few Newtontalk (THE newton mailing list) postings there are some series of the FiFo that seem to be incompatible with Newtons...

Q: The Newton is dead, so why should I buy a FirstFone?
A: Well, sissy, leave this page! ;-) The combination of a newton with a firstfone is a very powerful solution for mobile internet or other dialup access: Telnet, FTP, WWW, E-Mail, Chat...I use this combination from time to time to update the newssection from http://www.providerliste.ch/ with a small html snippet, edited on newton, by using NewtFTP. No other PDA is that smart! Of course you may want to use the FiFo with a Apple Powerbook as well. Drivers URL see above.

Q: Does the FirstFone work with Newtons?
A: Yes! Works with a MP2100 and MP2000. Older models (120, 130, emate) *may* work as well.

Q: FirstFone and Internet?
A: Yes! All data, fax and voice services supported! SMS requires special software, so does making/receiving calls. For Newton Internet Enabler and Fax it is enough to choose the FiFo Driver on your Newton's configuration application!

Q: What countries does it work in?
A: I only know of a 900MHZ version, that means countries with GSM cellular networks with service providers that offer services in the 900MHZ range and data/fax services can handle a Newton/FirstFone combination. (Throughout Europe, Asia, Far East and Africa this is the common frequency. There is no 1800MHZ version, so it does not work in this networks, as it does not work in US GSM compatible networks (they work in the 1900MHZ frequency range).

Q: How much does it weigh?
A: Just 69 gramms!

Q: Power consumption?
A: Less than my landline Pretec 33.6 Modem PC Card modem. That means a Newton with the FiFo logged into the cellular network draws about 180mA of power, with the FiFo sending/receiving data about 320 to 360mA. Values may vary with backlight on/off.

Q: Can I do voice calls with my Newton and the FirstFone plugged in?
A: Yes and no. The FirstFone comes with a Headset. Once the headset is plugged into the FiFo and the Newton/FiFo is logged into a GSM Providers network, you can receive/make calls using your Newton! (software and drivers see below). But there is no way of using the Newton's built in Speaker/Microphone.

Q: Where do I get a FirstFone for my Newton?
A: I would recommend buying it from Novamedia in Germany. (See Drivers below. http://www.novamedia.de). But every computer/electronic store should be able to order a FirstFone for you. Alternatively you can try to order it directly from Option International Ltd. (http://www.option.com/).

Q: What about the Drivers for my Newton and the FirstFone?
A: There is only Novamedia in Germany that sells the FirstFone with a driver for your Newton. It is their exclusive product and they sell the driver package without buying a FirstFone on a per user/newton base for 49.- DM (approx. 25$). BTW, Oliver Harms from Pixsolution that offers MP2000 Upgrades and Accelerators is the programmer of the software.

Q: Is there other Software for a Newton/FirstFone combination?
A: Yes! Solutionsetc. See table below: