bluetooth cell phone for internet access...

Randy Howard wrote:
> I've heard people claim that you can use a cell phone with
> bluetooth and a computer with same to get internet access
> (probably slow, probably expensive) on the computer through that
> connection. Is that true? If so, what do you have to do for it
> to work?
>

Cellular providers offer internet access in a bewildering number of
ways, most of which will work using bluetooth as the link between a
cellphone and a computer.

I use a Motorola V551 & Bluetooth to get 75+kbps unlimted internet
access to the internet through a $20/mo Cingular feature.

In general you must have a data access feature added to your cellular
plan through your provider's customer service.

In article <0003HW.C0B74DF504490140F0509530.RemoveThis@news.verizon.net>,
Randy Howard <randyhoward.RemoveThis@FOOverizonBAR.net> wrote:

> I've heard people claim that you can use a cell phone with
> bluetooth and a computer with same to get internet access
> (probably slow, probably expensive) on the computer through that
> connection. Is that true? If so, what do you have to do for it
> to work?

This is something of a black art. Getting the Mac to talk to the phone
is easy (just start in the Bluetooth system preference panel and do what
makes sense), but setting up the phone to actually access the Internet
-- or even figuring out if your cellular provider lets you do this at
all -- is another matter.

Depending on provider, speeds range from 9600 baud (not kidding) up
through 700 kbps. Some providers let you actually connect to normal
dial-up ISPs though your phone without paying any extra (it just uses
minutes), and some have special data services. There may be arbitrary
restrictions, like port blocking, or your provider may prevent you from
using data services in conjunction with a computer unless you pay extra.
Stated restrictions on the use of data service with a computer may be
enforced though phone firmware patches, or though monitoring of traffic,
or not really at all. And different phones support different modes of
connection as well. You can't even assume the phone your carrier gave
you actually supports all the data service options they might offer.

Your best bet is to go somewhere like HowardForums
(http://www.howardforums.com/) and see what other customers who have the
same provider are up to.

--
"Those who enter the country illegally violate the law."
-- George W. Bush in Tucson, Ariz., Nov. 28, 2005

In article <yobk67dw5ez.fsf.DeleteThis@panix1.panix.com>,
BreadWithSpam.DeleteThis@fractious.net wrote:

> ZnU <znu.DeleteThis@fake.invalid> writes:
>
> > In article <0003HW.C0B74DF504490140F0509530.DeleteThis@news.verizon.net>,
> > Randy Howard <randyhoward.DeleteThis@FOOverizonBAR.net> wrote:
> >
> > > I've heard people claim that you can use a cell phone with
> > > bluetooth and a computer with same to get internet access
> > > (probably slow, probably expensive) on the computer through that
> > > connection. Is that true? If so, what do you have to do for it
> > > to work?
> >
> > This is something of a black art. Getting the Mac to talk to the phone
> > is easy (just start in the Bluetooth system preference panel and do what
> > makes sense), but setting up the phone to actually access the Internet
> > -- or even figuring out if your cellular provider lets you do this at
> > all -- is another matter.
>
> I use T-Mobile and a Sony Ericcson T610 and bluetooth and the phone's
> GPRS (and T-Mobile's $20/mo unlimited internet) almost daily.
>
> It's slow. As slow as old fashioned dialup. Painfully slow.
>
> But it works. It works reliably.

I go on line all the time on Verizon using my LG phone via USB. My
connection got a reading of 50K Bits/s using a testing site. I looked
at the new Razr phone but as far as I can tell the bluetooth is disabled
for anything but a headset. It would be nice to use bluetooth, the
cable is just one more thing to have to pack and it's a nuisance having
to balance the phone and the laptop on my legs.


>
> > minutes), and some have special data services. There may be arbitrary
> > restrictions, like port blocking, or your provider may prevent you from
>
> I don't know if it's intentional on the part of t-mobile,
> but I cannot use google or any *.google.com services over
> the cell-phone. Times out talking to their servers almost every
> time. So I search with a9.com and live without maps or gmail or
> news.google. It's a little annoying, but far less annoying than
> not having 'net access at all.

I haven't run into anything I couldn't access with Verizon. There have
been some sites I've accessed but couldn't get a streaming feed from but
that isn't surprising considering the speed.

>
> If yo udo try this out - make *sure* that your provider
> really gives you unlimited internet. Cingular tried to
> screw me with data charges once. FWIW, I'll never do
> business with Cingular again anyway. T-mobile has been
> a pleasure to work with. I've never tried doing any of
> this with Verizon or Sprint, though Verizon's supposedly
> got great network coverage and high-speeds.

Yeah, my daughters just got new phones and the Internet plan they list
shows 1Mb per mo and $.01/Kb after that. I don't know if that is only
intended for a browser / mail on the phone but it's still small for
that. I've UPLOADED more than 1Mb at a shot, much less downloading.






I have used my cell phone all over the place including:

Driving up I5 in Northern California. The connection stayed up for a
long way so changing cell towers didn't seem to affect it.

Sitting trackside next to a logging road a few miles from Lake Almanor.
This is one of the more remote locations I've done it.

On a bus riding through Virginia.

On board the Coast Starlight except for a long stretch around the
California, Oregon border where there was no service.

Various spots out in the boonies trackside (Watching trains is a hobby).
I've created and uploaded web pages from some of these place.

--
Clark Martin
Redwood City, CA, USA Macintosh / Internet Consulting

"I'm a designated driver on the Information Super Highway"

In article <0003HW.C0B74DF504490140F0509530 DeleteThis @news.verizon.net>, Randy
Howard <randyhoward DeleteThis @FOOverizonBAR.net> wrote:

> I've heard people claim that you can use a cell phone with
> bluetooth and a computer with same to get internet access
> (probably slow, probably expensive) on the computer through that
> connection. Is that true? If so, what do you have to do for it
> to work?

I use a Nokia phone, with BlueTooth and GPRS capability and a Cingular
account which gives me unlimited WAP access for $20 a month
(unlimited). With the right information (account names and passwords),
which can be found on the web, and some CCL files (which can be found
on the web) Internet Connect cab dial our I get online.

GPRS is a high speed data system for GSM cellphones. It has a data rate
o something like 144kb/s so its as fast as low end DSL. However, it has
really sucky latency, you get ping times of about 1s. (1000ms). That
keeps things pretty slow.

WAP is supposed to be a way of getting web pages on your cell phone,
but you can persuade the phone to pass the data to your Mac instead. I
suspect if I used it to much Cingular might get upity that I'm using it
for data connect instead (for which they want a lot more money), but I
only use it sporadially when I don't have a real connection to use.

--
Barry
Barry DeleteThis @netbox.com
------
(I should put something down here).

In message <cmnews-09143D.09501720062006 DeleteThis @nnrp-virt.nntp.sonic.net>, Clark
Martin <cmnews DeleteThis @sonic.net> wrote:
>
>
>
> In article <yobk67dw5ez.fsf DeleteThis @panix1.panix.com>,
> BreadWithSpam DeleteThis @fractious.net wrote:
>
> > ZnU <znu DeleteThis @fake.invalid> writes:
> >
> > > In article <0003HW.C0B74DF504490140F0509530 DeleteThis @news.verizon.net>,
> > > Randy Howard <randyhoward DeleteThis @FOOverizonBAR.net> wrote:
> > >
> > > > I've heard people claim that you can use a cell phone with
> > > > bluetooth and a computer with same to get internet access
> > > > (probably slow, probably expensive) on the computer through that
> > > > connection. Is that true? If so, what do you have to do for it
> > > > to work?
> > >
> > > This is something of a black art. Getting the Mac to talk to the phone
> > > is easy (just start in the Bluetooth system preference panel and do
what
> > > makes sense), but setting up the phone to actually access the Internet
> > > -- or even figuring out if your cellular provider lets you do this
at
> > > all -- is another matter.
> >
> > I use T-Mobile and a Sony Ericcson T610 and bluetooth and the phone's
> > GPRS (and T-Mobile's $20/mo unlimited internet) almost daily.
> >
> > It's slow. As slow as old fashioned dialup. Painfully slow.
> >
> > But it works. It works reliably.
>
> I go on line all the time on Verizon using my LG phone via USB. My
> connection got a reading of 50K Bits/s using a testing site. I looked
> at the new Razr phone but as far as I can tell the bluetooth is disabled
> for anything but a headset. It would be nice to use bluetooth, the
> cable is just one more thing to have to pack and it's a nuisance having
> to balance the phone and the laptop on my legs.
>

I regularly use my unlocked Razr v3 with Cingular to access the Internet
from my PowerBook through BlueTooth without any problem.

-Laurent.
--
=================================================================
Laurent Daudelin Logiciels Nemesys Software
mailto:laurent.daudelin@ihatespam.net <http://nemesys.dyndns.org>
Replace ihatespam with verizon to reply
+++++++++++ Sent using an Apple Newton MessagePad 2100 ++++++++++

In article <3Lumg.26980$YI2.18308@trnddc01>, Laurent Daudelin
<laurent.daudelin RemoveThis @ihatespam.net> wrote:

> I regularly use my unlocked Razr v3 with Cingular to access the Internet
> from my PowerBook through BlueTooth without any problem.

I'm considering a Razr. Can you sync contacts from Address Book with it?

In message <220620060708546363%dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_Sbalderstone.ca>, Dave
Balderstone <dave DeleteThis @N_O_T_T_H_I_Sbalderstone.ca> wrote:
>
>
>
> In article <3Lumg.26980$YI2.18308@trnddc01>, Laurent Daudelin
> <laurent.daudelin DeleteThis @ihatespam.net> wrote:
>
> > I regularly use my unlocked Razr v3 with Cingular to access the Internet
> > from my PowerBook through BlueTooth without any problem.
>
> I'm considering a Razr. Can you sync contacts from Address Book with it?

Not only the Address Book but also iCal if I want. This is with the latest
version of iSync under 10.4.6.

-Laurent.
--
=================================================================
Laurent Daudelin Logiciels Nemesys Software
mailto:laurent.daudelin@ihatespam.net <http://nemesys.dyndns.org>
Replace ihatespam with verizon to reply
+++++++++++ Sent using an Apple Newton MessagePad 2100 ++++++++++

In article <2X8ng.2666$Xn.2619@trnddc05>, Laurent Daudelin
<laurent.daudelin.DeleteThis@ihatespam.net> wrote:

> Not only the Address Book but also iCal if I want. This is with the latest
> version of iSync under 10.4.6.

Well, I bought the RAZR V3C yesterday. Address book sync was simple,
but iSync tells me calendar sync isn't supported.

10.4.6, iSync 2.2.

Apple's site tells me the Verizon version of this phone doesn't support
calendar sync, but I'm in Canada and not with Verizon.

I suppose I'll check with my provider.

So far, though, I really like the phone. My kids think voice activation
is way cool.

In article <240620060826014044%dave@N_O_T_T_H_I_Sbalderstone.ca>, Dave
Balderstone <dave RemoveThis @N_O_T_T_H_I_Sbalderstone.ca> wrote:

> Well, I bought the RAZR V3C yesterday. Address book sync was simple,
> but iSync tells me calendar sync isn't supported.

Turns out hacking a plist file in iSync solves the problem.