IRTalk is a wireless communication protocol developed by Apple Computer and introduced with the PowerBook 5300 series in August 1995. It uses infrared line-of-sight connections over short distances.
Usage
Infrared control panel icon
IRTalk is based on the AppleTalk protocol with file transfer rates up to 230.4 kbps, the same as LocalTalk. It can be managed in classic Mac OS through the Infrared control panel.[1] IRTalk is not supported by Mac OS X.[2]
IRTalk was superseded by IrDA, a faster infrared industry standard protocol that was introduced with the PowerBook 3400c in February 1997.[3] Both infrared systems were eventually replaced by AirPort, starting with the introduction of the iBook in July 1999.[2]
Supported models
- PowerBook 190
- PowerBook 1400 series
- PowerBook 2400c*
- PowerBook 3400c*
- PowerBook 5300 series
- PowerBook G3 (Kanga, Wallstreet, Wallstreet II)*
- * also supports IrDA
Third party support
Farallon produced an infrared peripheral, called the AirDock, which allows LocalTalk-capable devices without an infrared port to be able to support IRTalk.[4][5]
References
- ↑ Infrared Communication, Mac Repair Central. 2021-01-06.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 IRTalk, IrDA, and the Mac by Daniel Knight, Low End Mac. 2015-01-03.
- ↑ Apple and IR: A Brief History by Tom Negrino and Dori Smith, Mac OS X Unwired: A Guide for Home, Office, and the Road, p.185. O'Reilly. 2013-05-02.
- ↑ AirDock Adapter, Farallon. Archived 1998-05-24.
- ↑ AirDock Printer Adapter, Farallon. Archived 1998-05-24.
External links
- Infrared by Maria Langer, Mac OS 9: Visual QuickStart Guide at O'Reilly
- Join the Infrared Revival by Joseph Schorr at Macworld (1998-12-31)
