>Instead of me looking for bits and pieces of these undoubtedly interesting articles, what can you tell me of wireless devices where I can run a custom data collection application?
>
>I work in a manufacturing facility, and we're looking into collecting various data through wireless devices and bar code scanners. TIA

Wireless LAN sounds like a better idea in this case instead of wireless modem. I have implemented any of this technology but here is what my research has turned up.

"Symbol Technologies makes two products you may be interested in. The 1740 is a ruggedized Palm OS device with a bar code scanner and IEEE 802.11a wireless Ethernet card integrated into the unit. The unit itself is about 1/2" wider on each side, about 1.5" longer on both top and bottom, and about 1/4" thicker than a Palm IIIx. The 2740 has a Windows CE device instead of a Palm OS device, but is otherwise the same. The users of the apps I have developed for the 1740 find the at-will network connectivity enormously useful. The bar code scanner is useful to many factory workers but the white collar folks have less of a use for them" see http://www.symbol.com/

Here is a great site http://www.wireless-nets.com/

The good thing about CE is that you can leverage any VB or VC++ skills that you have.