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xMetal · Jan 17, 2003, 09:33 AM

I've seen this topic come up quite a bit, and it's generally met with a lot of confusion and "well I heard..." This whole arena is something that I am researching right now, but there is surprisingly little in terms of solid, straightforward information on using Mac OS X, Bluetooth and cell phones for iSync and connecting a laptop to the internet.

I thought that it would be quite useful to everyone if we posted real-world experiences in this area.

I'd propose that if you have used Bluetooth with a cell phone, please post your experience and give everyone some details on the specifics, such as the Phone Model, Service Provider, Rate Plan, settings or configurations, and the steps you took to get it working.

I would love to get some first-hand information on using, for example, a T68i phone, with T-Mobile (GSM) Service to connect my laptop to the internet via my normal dial-up ISP. Apple alludes to this on their site in a rather vague way, and I've seen snippets of it here and there, but if anyone has done that, please write about it and tell everyone how it works for you.

I just think that using a Bluetooth phone to dial up my ISP from anywhere would be an incredibly cool and useful thing...

Severed Hand of Skywalker · Jan 17, 2003, 01:06 PM

From what I have read everywhere the T68i will work great with your Mac BUT the ISP's block regular analoge dial-up so you have to use their more expensive Data packs.

typoon · Jan 17, 2003, 02:34 PM

I think Apple has info on how to connect it to the internet on ther KBase.

PCTek · Jan 17, 2003, 03:34 PM

I have an Ericsson T68 with T-Mobile. I also have an iceBook with the Apple-sponsored D-Link USB Bluetooth Adaptor.

First, link your phone and your computer. Plug in your USB adaptor, then go to System Prefs -> Bluetooth, "Trusted Devices", blah blah blah.

Next, download the modem script for your phone. I got mine from http://www.taniwha.org.uk/. I am using the "Ericsson GSM 14.4k" script. Put the scripts in your Modem Scripts folder. Now, create a new Location in your Network prefs pane. Choose "USB Bluetooth Modem Adaptor" instead of AirPort or Ethernet. Go to your PPP tab, enter your ISP's settings. go to the "Bluetooth Modem" tab, and choose your new modem script.

Now, go into "Internet Connect" or your PPP menu item ,and choose "Connect."

Done. No GPRS needed, it uses CDPD (I believe) which is basically packets over a cellular call. Speed at best is 9600Kbps.

If you want faster, go with GPRS.

robot prom · Jan 17, 2003, 03:53 PM

lot's of good info here on using cel phones as modems under X, but it doesn't cover Bluetooth (yet).

http://homepage.mac.com/jrc/contrib/mobile_office/

itai195 · Jan 17, 2003, 06:50 PM

You can connect to an ISP with a T68i, but current solutions will be slow and will use up your minutes... That's why I'm still waiting for Sprint to put out a bluetooth phone... Might be a while at this rate.

Severed Hand of Skywalker · Jan 17, 2003, 10:22 PM

Wonder why Apple hasn't included these connection scripts when they support the t68i in other ways.

Diggory Laycock · Jan 18, 2003, 12:03 PM

I've had my Nokia 6310 acting as a GPRS modem via bluetooth - my provider is Vodafone (UK).

However I refuse to pay the ridiculous rates for GPRS so I just use it via plain old GSM.

I found this page invaluable:

http://www.taniwha.org.uk/

solitere · Jan 18, 2003, 02:07 PM

Originally posted by Diggory Laycock:
I've had my Nokia 6310 acting as a GPRS modem via bluetooth - my provider is Vodafone (UK).

However I refuse to pay the ridiculous rates for GPRS so I just use it via plain old GSM.

I found this page invaluable:

http://www.taniwha.org.uk/

A Phonecompany(DNA) in Finland is offering monthly Internet/data access true GPRS for only 19 Euro for unlimited access. Other GSM companies offers usally a basic montly fee for 4-6 Euro and a that includes a couple of megabyte of data. If you exceeds the data limit you pay 1 Euro extra per mb.

How much does it cost in the UK and other european countrys!

don_thomaso · Jan 20, 2003, 08:19 AM

I surf the new with my Mitsumi Bluetooth adapter connected to my Nokia 6310i on Comviq (Sweden, GPRS).

Comviq offers free gprs until 31 january

Diggory Laycock · Jan 20, 2003, 09:18 AM

Here are vodafone's rates:

Note - you must have at least GPRS 1 to use the phone as a modem - GPRS 0 only allows WAP over GPRS on the handset.

Note this is on top of a voice subscription (minimum �14 per month)

Also note that these prices don't include 17.25% VAT.

p.s. you are charged for traffic both ways (over your initial "Free" data allowance)

So - if you are on GPRS 1 and over your 1MB allowance and download a 1MB file - that will cost you: �5

(that's $8)

xMetal · Jan 20, 2003, 01:46 PM

supposedly, Sprint is going to offer this CDMA phone with Bluetooth

http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?id=228

You can connect to an ISP with a T68i, but current solutions will be slow and will use up your minutes... That's why I'm still waiting for Sprint to put out a bluetooth phone... Might be a while at this rate.

itai195 · Jan 20, 2003, 05:34 PM

Yep, still haven't seen any word on when that phone is going to be available though.

MikeD · Jan 20, 2003, 05:46 PM

let's add this other macnn thread to the mix.

Bluetooth GPS Devices Macnn Forum Link

Socket Bluetooth GPS (Direct Link)

Thanks to Diggory Laycoc for the info!

Mike

xMetal · Jan 21, 2003, 11:06 AM

PCTek,

When you connect this way, do you just get billed for your normal minutes on the T-mobile plan? While more speed would be nice, I think that just having a basic wireless connection to check the occasional email or whatever would be great, with no extra bandwidth charges or anything.

Originally posted by PCTek:
I have an Ericsson T68 with T-Mobile. I also have an iceBook with the Apple-sponsored D-Link USB Bluetooth Adaptor.

First, link your phone and your computer. Plug in your USB adaptor, then go to System Prefs -> Bluetooth, "Trusted Devices", blah blah blah.

Next, download the modem script for your phone. I got mine from http://www.taniwha.org.uk/. I am using the "Ericsson GSM 14.4k" script. Put the scripts in your Modem Scripts folder. Now, create a new Location in your Network prefs pane. Choose "USB Bluetooth Modem Adaptor" instead of AirPort or Ethernet. Go to your PPP tab, enter your ISP's settings. go to the "Bluetooth Modem" tab, and choose your new modem script.

Now, go into "Internet Connect" or your PPP menu item ,and choose "Connect."

Done. No GPRS needed, it uses CDPD (I believe) which is basically packets over a cellular call. Speed at best is 9600Kbps.

If you want faster, go with GPRS.

oreixa · Jan 30, 2003, 05:15 PM

I have an Ericsson T39, a DLINK adapter and an Ibook 800. No problem with them, using the http://www.taniwha.org.uk/ scripts.

Also isync also works ok with my phone.

best regards

Simon X · Jan 30, 2003, 05:48 PM

Originally posted by Diggory Laycock:
Here are vodafone's rates:

Note - you must have at least GPRS 1 to use the phone as a modem - GPRS 0 only allows WAP over GPRS on the handset.

Note this is on top of a voice subscription (minimum �14 per month)

Also note that these prices don't include 17.25% VAT.

p.s. you are charged for traffic both ways (over your initial "Free" data allowance)

So - if you are on GPRS 1 and over your 1MB allowance and download a 1MB file - that will cost you: �5 (that's $8)

Ouch. Haven't they learnt anything from BTs initial inflated prices for broadband. These are not the prices the market will bare. The main threat will be WiFi anyway, and especially for 3G. Far cheaper to implement and maintain, faster speeds with lower costs to the customer. Granted you can't implement this nationwide but in key locations where mainly business users, who are the prime target, WiFi is starting to make inroads. And the mobile operators are starting to cotton on to this too.

aaanorton · Feb 11, 2003, 07:22 PM

Anybody have a preference of Bluetooth USB adaptors? I know about the Apple/D-Link unit, but was wondering if there were differences to be aware of. Just got my T68i. Now for my dongle...

aaanorton · Feb 12, 2003, 10:57 AM

Oh, and what about synch'ing the T68i clock to the Mac's clock? Possible?

Severed Hand of Skywalker · Feb 12, 2003, 01:40 PM

Originally posted by aaanorton:
Oh, and what about synch'ing the T68i clock to the Mac's clock? Possible?

Lets not get that obsessive.

aaanorton · Feb 12, 2003, 01:58 PM

Originally posted by Severed Hand of Skywalker:
Lets not get that obsessive.

Wait a sec... "Severed Hand of Skywalker" from "The bottom of Cloud City" is worried about me getting too obsessive?

beverson · Feb 24, 2003, 06:05 PM

Man, those modem scripts for Ericsson phones were just what I was looking for. I have been underwhelmed by my T68i so far (just got my third one today after the first two broke in the last six months), but now that I can use it to connect to my school's dialup network I'm liking it more again. Yeah, it's slow as hell at only 9600, but if I need to get online in a pinch just to check e-mail or something, I can now do so without having to pay for GPRS. And since all my weekend minutes are free, even better!