Handhelds or PDA use with Betfair/Gruss

[one cool dog]

Hi

I am looking to invest in something that will do a job. Does anyone have a PDA/Handheld and how does it work for them. When I went to have a look at some in PC World, none are properly set up to look at, as they have no web access to look at.

My dream is that a handheld can accomodate gruss in someway, but if that is not possible, proper access to Betfair would be fine.

Answers and links to the actual product would be helpful.

Cheers

[phrenetic]

Not Gruss, but you could try [url]mobile.betfair.com[/url] which I think exposes Betfair on a mobile interface.

[Note - I have not looked at this so cannot comment on its applicability]

Alistair

[PeteB]

I've got a Dell Axim x50v - chose this because it has a VGA screen - more pixels than most PDAs - running Windows CE (or whatever it's called)

Wireless surfing is fine. I also link it to my phone via Bluetooth - then surfing is bearable, but a bit slow.

The Windows browser PocketIE is ok-ish - it gets better if you get MultiIE which turns it into a tabbed browser with other options.
An alternative would be minimo - i.e. mini-mozilla or mozilla for PDAs, which should give a firefox like experience, but it doesn't run on x%)v so can't tell you if it's any good.
PocketIE is generally bad for sites with frames (like betfair), and often struggles with sites where you have to sign in - also lots of sites detect that you are using a PDA browser, and divert you to separate content.

You can't run gruss - Gary would need to compile a version specifically for PDA, with a cut-down interface to fit the screen.

I haven't manged to log in to Betfair successfully. Betfair lite works fine for checking prices - except you have to refresh manually, but you can't place bets so that's no good.

I think you would need to get a small laptop (and you can get some very small ones now) with wireless and with a 3G card for when you can't get wireless - then you can run gruss and use websites as normal.

[one cool dog]

Cheers for that.

I had a look at that Dell one, and it looked ok.

Two more questions please.

Is it wireless in the sense I would know it. I.e. have a wireless router in my house, so would I be able to sit in my front room and use it in the same way I would if I had a laptop?

Second -

http://mobile.betfair.com/main/keyfeatures.jsp

This seems to suggest that you can use all features? It says on their site that a Axiom x30 is compatible. Is that the issue with yours, or should the x50 do the same.

You are my best hope ever PeteB to sort this out before buying. Feel free to PM me if you don't want it on the forum.

Cheers again

[phrenetic]

Another possibility might be the Nokia N800 internet tablet or the new Nokia N810.

Again - no experience of either device.

Alistair

[one cool dog]

Cheers Phrenetic, but I need people with realtime experience. If you click on the link above, you can see which devices are compatible.

I am now in a position to go out and buy a PDA, but there is no point for me unless I can use Betfair for in-running betting. That link definitely suggests to me you can log in and even one-click bet.

[Ian]

You can't do in running using a 3G card - it isn't fast enough. Although you can get BA working Ok, you have problems if you try to do anything much faster than a 5 sec refresh.

Also you can place bets using Betfair Lite but it is very cumbersome, but OK in an emergancy.

[PeteB]

Ah ok sorry for the mistake on betfair lite - haven't used it for a while

Yes wireless is the same - if you have wireless in your house then you can use it sitting in your front room the same as you could use a laptop - similarly if you are at a public wireless hotspot like a library or starbucks or wherever.

I'll try mobile.betfair.com on mine now - back in a few mos

[PeteB]

Hmmm a bit confused now - I'm not sure I can set it up

It looks like you give them the phone number of a java phone, and they send you an SMS which will then somehow download an app to your phone.
I don't think I can make this work for my PDA, as it isn't a phone. And my phone doesn't run java.
I was hoping they would supply an app I could install on PC and transfer to PDA, and then use whatever internet connection I happened to have available on PDA (wireless or GPRS via bluetooth to phone) to connet the app to the internet. But I don't think that's how this works.

I think you need to find someone with a java phone to test this - if it works it sounds like it could be what you need.

[one cool dog]

Hi

I have looked at this and I am surprised it won't work. From what I can see, the compatibility list means it should work.

I have emailed them and asked them if it will work on a DELL AXIM X50. It is on their list, so I would expect all their key features to work.

Cheers

[PeteB]

The software may well work on my device, but I can't see how the install process will work.

You have to provide the mobile phone number of the device you want to install it on, and they then send you an SMS from whihc you can start the download. My PDA doesn't have a mobile phone number, so I can't see how this can work.

[PeteB]

I've mailed them to see if they have an answer

In the meantime, it turns out my phone is on the list, so I've tried installing to that - but the file is too big, and I can't delete anything else - so no go...

[one cool dog]

Hi Pete

Cheers for your help. I am in the process of emailing them myself.

[PeteB]

Got the reply below - confirms that betfair mobile is for phones not for PDAs.
You can try Betfair Lite on your PC and see if it gives you what you need - it will look and behave much the same on a PDA - just a bit smaller!


"
Thank you for your e-mail.

Unfortunately PDA's do not have phone compatibility so you would not be able to use the betfair mobile application. However you will be able to use the betfair lite site. The address for this is http://lite.betfair.com. Please type this into your browser URL.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further enquiries.
"

[one cool dog]

I am so confused about all this. My on-going thread (first email is at the bottom, latest is top one)-

Dear

Thank you for your e-mail.

I have checked our compatibility guide and can confirm that you will be able to register with betfair mobile using your Loox. Please go to www.betfairmobile.com and register your details here.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further enquiries.

Kind regards

Betfair Helpdesk

Helpdesk Tel: 0870 0110 444
Helpdesk Fax: 0870 0110 555
Eire Tel: 1 - 800 944 000
--------------------------------------------------------

Hi

Thank you for your response.

I would like to use the quickest media, so if Betfair Mobile is the best, I want to use that.

Can you let me know if any PDAs would allow me to use Betfair Mobile? Will Betfair Mobile work on a wi-fi connection or do I need to use a phone line to use it - sorry if that sounds stupid but seems an obvious question.

On your compatibility list, you have a Loox - would Betfair Mobile work on this?

http://www.ballicom.co.uk/product_info. ... _id=303919

If it would, do I only need a wi-fi connection or a phone connection?

Regards

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subject: Re: RE: Mobile Betfair on PDA's

Dear

Thank you for your e-mail.

If you are planning to use betfair lite, please remember that this is a basic scaled version of the site. In which is likely, will not run as well as betfair mobile would.

You would be able to access the lite site from a PDA, as long as it has web browsing capabilities.

With regards to in-play betting - using a mobile or pda, this will not be as smooth or quick as using a pc, due to the connectivity speed.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further enquiries.

Kind regards

Betfair Helpdesk

Helpdesk Tel: 0870 0110 444
Helpdesk Fax: 0870 0110 555
Eire Tel: 1 - 800 944 000

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi

If I bought a PDA, my preferred option would be to buy an IPAQ, could I have Betfair Lite working on it, meaning I could log in and place bets? What does the one-click software equate to. Could that be used on a PDA? Does it work with a stylus operated PDA or one that needs a keyboard?

Your information will help me decide which one to buy, so I need everything to be correct. Could you answer these questions with yes/no answers please.

Presuming I buy a handheld with wi-fi enabled -

Can I run Betfair Lite on my PDA?

Can I use Betfair Lite to place bets?

Could I, in theory, sit in my chair at home and bet in-running with me PDA?

Is there anything I need to know/download to make it work - it makes reference to Java etc on the website?

Regards

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Sun, 2 Dec 2007 15:34:34 +0000

Subject: Re: Mobile Betfair on PDA's

Dear

Thank you for your e-mail.
I can confirm that you will be able to use Betfair Lite on your PDA.

The list that we have loaded on our site is there to give our users an idea of some of the compatible mobile models with Betfair mobile.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further enquiries.

Kind regards

Betfair Helpdesk

Helpdesk Tel: 0870 0110 444
Helpdesk Fax: 0870 0110 555


--------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi

I want to use Betfair Lite/Mobile on a PDA. Can I do that?

The compatibility list says I can buy a DELL AXIM X30. Does that mean I can use all the key features on the following link -

http://mobile.betfair.com/main/keyfeatures.jsp

Specifically these ones -


BETS
One click to back or lay any runner
Liability/profit shown dynamically
Optional verification screen before bet placement
Change the odds or stake on your unmatched bets
Cancel unmatched bets
Bet confirmation and management, including partial matches
Current matched and unmatched bets, filtered by type
Full betting history, filtered by type
Full details on all bets
I do not want to go out and buy a PDA if I cannot use my betfair account on it.

Can you please let me know my exact options. I need to have full access to my betfair account and be able to bet in-running? Can you download a Java application to make things work.

Exact information would be most helpful.

Regards

-----------------------------------------------------------------


The last email confuses me, as they say I can register but no mention of its use, which is a touch annoying as if I was a bit fick, I could go and buy a loox now and not have a working Betfair Mobile on it.

I certainly think they could make things a lot easier to understand; can't say I fully get it quite yet. The person who answered my last email did not answer all the questions I wanted answered.



Does anyone have Betfair Mobile working brilliantly on their phone, and if so, what phone do they have?

Cheers