[MattiMattMatt]

Hi.

I plan to get one of the new 15" Al powerbooks (with bluetooth).

My first mobile computer!

I would like to be able to access email and internet on the road.

Do you know:

1) Which cell phone company (Verizon, AT&T, etc.), and

2) which cell phone (Ericson, Motorola, etc. -- model #?)

would work best with an Apple powerbook for accessing the net on the road?

TIA,

MattiMattMatt

[PeterKG]

I have a SE T616 on AT&T. It's a Bluetooth phone and it works great with my Powerboook and also Sailing Clicker.

[CMYKid]

I think yer nutty if you pick a non CDMA option for internet and expect good service both now and in the future. You dont have any serious providers of REAL high-speed internet in that realm now and all of the upgrade paths to true high-speed incorporate elements of CDMA pretty heavily, so I'd just hop on that from the start.

I use my Sprint phone with my Powerbook and get 80-120k consistently ANYwhere I have a Sprint signal. I've literally been non-stop connected on a 6 hour drive cross-country, emailing and IM'ing the entire way...

[donutogre]

Originally posted by CMYKid:
I think yer nutty if you pick a non CDMA option for internet and expect good service both now and in the future. You dont have any serious providers of REAL high-speed internet in that realm now and all of the upgrade paths to true high-speed incorporate elements of CDMA pretty heavily, so I'd just hop on that from the start.

I use my Sprint phone with my Powerbook and get 80-120k consistently ANYwhere I have a Sprint signal. I've literally been non-stop connected on a 6 hour drive cross-country, emailing and IM'ing the entire way...

how much do you pay extra for that sort of service? does it take off your minutes like you were using the phone? and are you still able to receive calls when doing that? i didn't realize that getting on the internet was that easy now...i've got the PB w/bluetooth, and i've been thinking about getting a new cell phone...that's pretty sweet.

[chrisutley]

I too have Sprint and have used my Treo 300 to connect to the Net with my PowerBook 667 DVI. It works quite well, and while it's not fast - it's fast enough for email and light browsing.

Sony Ericsson is coming out with a bluetooth phone for Sprint, the first ever. If you want to do this without wires, I suggest calling Sprint and finding out when that phone is out. It might be worth the wait.

[slffl]

Easy

Sprint $10 unlimited data with Treo 600 and bluetooth SD card. Just don't abuse it.

[chrisutley]

Originally posted by slffl:
Easy

Sprint $10 unlimited data with Treo 600 and bluetooth SD card. Just don't abuse it.

Treo 600 isn't out yet, and how in the heck could you abuse it?

[MattiMattMatt]

Thanks for the replies.

It sounds like Sprint may be the best option for surfing the net on a Powerbook; and for phones, either wait for a bluetooth model to ship or get a USB phone to get up and running today.

Otherwise, does anyone know of any currently-shipping bluetooth phone that would work with Sprint (is that what slffl's "bluetooth SD card" does -- add bluetooth capability to his treo?)?

Plus, does anyone know of a good web resource that monitors this sort of thing? It seems like something that a lot of Powerbook users would want to know, especially in light of the "don't know nothing bout using our phone service with an Apple computer" I've gotten from wireless company reps.

Thanks,

MattiMattMatt

[SEkker]

I, too, would like this ability with Sprint. The problem is none of their standard phones are BT yet. The Sony Ericson is only a year behind schedule.

As for abuse, the issue is bandwidth. Connecting for light email and surfing is fine; downloading 1 GB of mp3 files is definitely abuse. If you want to do the latter, Sprint sells a data plan.

[chrisutley]

Downloading 1GB of anything using my Treo would take so long, it's not practical. I don't think they have to worry about abuse.

Originally posted by SEkker:
I, too, would like this ability with Sprint. The problem is none of their standard phones are BT yet. The Sony Ericson is only a year behind schedule.

As for abuse, the issue is bandwidth. Connecting for light email and surfing is fine; downloading 1 GB of mp3 files is definitely abuse. If you want to do the latter, Sprint sells a data plan.

[smitty825]

1) T-Mobile. They are the only ones who offer an "unlimited" internet plan for all devices that is somewhat affordable. The Sprint internet plans are only supposed to be used on the phone only! (The unl

2) Any Nokia Series 60 (3650, n-gage, etc) or any SE w/ bluetooth phone will work fine via bluetooth for both internet access any syncing.

[yticolev]

Sprint quietly changed their TOS just a few months ago. You can now use a laptop connection without fear. Actually, you could before as well as there were no terminations of service or even complaints. This I get from reading cell phone forums, talking to Sprint employees (I asked quite a number of them about the fine print in the TOS), and Powerpage.

And if you can put up with a 14.4 connection, both Sprint and Verizon are no additional charge, only minutes used. I have used both, and both are fine at that speed for email and very light browsing. Remember, it was not so long ago that 14.4 was fast!

[beijinger]

Originally posted by MattiMattMatt:
Thanks for the replies.

It sounds like Sprint may be the best option for surfing the net on a Powerbook; and for phones, either wait for a bluetooth model to ship or get a USB phone to get up and running today.

Otherwise, does anyone know of any currently-shipping bluetooth phone that would work with Sprint (is that what slffl's "bluetooth SD card" does -- add bluetooth capability to his treo?)?

Plus, does anyone know of a good web resource that monitors this sort of thing? It seems like something that a lot of Powerbook users would want to know, especially in light of the "don't know nothing bout using our phone service with an Apple computer" I've gotten from wireless company reps.

Thanks,

MattiMattMatt

Think you must ask yourself first what is your usage style. CDMA 1X is faster than GPRS on GSM BUT you must realize that when you are out of the US, its mostly GSM systems on which you can roam. Since I spend most of my time traveling outside the US, T-Mobile's global roaming is a much better choice. By the way, tried most bluetooth phones around and currently using the Sony Ericsson T610 and the P800 when I am not lugging my PB around. Fantastic synching with OS X. Try the bluetooth SMS service, just so easy to use. When SMS arrives, it pops right up on your screen. Click on a name on the address book and you can send SMS out immediately. With this I am sending out five line messages in seconds, rather than on the tiny phone screen and through funny entry method.

[beijinger]

Originally posted by MattiMattMatt:

Plus, does anyone know of a good web resource that monitors this sort of thing? It seems like something that a lot of Powerbook users would want to know, especially in light of the "don't know nothing bout using our phone service with an Apple computer" I've gotten from wireless company reps.

Thanks,

MattiMattMatt [/B]

The most interesting web site for this is http://www.infosyncworld.com/, which is an european site with the latest and greatest. also, www.phonescoop.com

[sjake2]

I use a Samsung A500 with a USB cable on my Al15. With the Vision plan, there is no extra cost for the usage and it doesn't use minutes. I don't think Sprint wants you to use their bandwidth this way, but until they send me a letter I'm going to keep using it.

All you need is the Future Dial cable that you can get from Radio Shack. Works like a charm.

When they yell at me I'll probably go with the card and unlimited plan from T-Mobile.

[Liquidity X]

I am looking at tmobile for this same kinda setup with my powerbook.

[filmmaker2002]

I use a SonyEricsson T68i to hook up to my AlBook 1.25Ghz 15". T-Mobile has this thing called T-Zones that you pay $10 a month for unlimited data. You're only supposed to be able to use it on your phone, but many of us have been able to surf the net at 33.6K speeds (not great, but it works for iChat, Mail, and light Safari) For $10 a month for internet ANYWHERE...pretty good deal.

[dreverhart]

I use a Sprint PCS Vision unlimited data plan for $10 with my Samsung a500 phone and an USB cable. I do not use it all that much, but when I do it is really reliable and faster than 56k dialup. This past weekend I was sitting in the passanger seat, speeding along at 80mph between Miami and Orlando and surfing the net at a decent speed looking for directions to our hotel, tracking FedEx packages, downloading emails, using ichat, etc. Even the fiancee had to confess that it was pretty cool technology. Now, if they could only release a bluetooth phone to go with the 12" powerbook that is on the way.

[mittewil]

The SE T616 is a very nice gsm bluetooth enabled device that works great with iSync and mobile internet with my Powerbook 15" Al. I am also testing the SE T608 bluetooth enabled device from Sprint PCS and so far it works just as good with iSync and mobile internet but not sure how easy it will be to get a T608 since SE pulled out of cdma. Last I heard it will be released but with limited availability.

[spalding12]

Originally posted by CMYKid:
I think yer nutty if you pick a non CDMA option for internet and expect good service both now and in the future. You dont have any serious providers of REAL high-speed internet in that realm now and all of the upgrade paths to true high-speed incorporate elements of CDMA pretty heavily, so I'd just hop on that from the start.

I use my Sprint phone with my Powerbook and get 80-120k consistently ANYwhere I have a Sprint signal. I've literally been non-stop connected on a 6 hour drive cross-country, emailing and IM'ing the entire way...

that sounds great
but do you spent $100.00's a month to have that kind of connectivity and data transfer?

greg

[redcalx]

Anyone know if you can do this in Canada with any phones? If so which ones? I currently reside in Alberta, so Bell and Telus are the main providers.

Also... is it just as simple as hooking your cell phone up to the modem in the powerbook and dialing out to a dialup line?

Somebody in this thread mentioned geting 120k/second... but how do you do that with a dialup line?

[omegahack]

for all the sprint people doing this what software do you use? and do you use a usb connection cable or a modem cable? I have a sprint phone with vision and i think this would be a neat idea. Thanks for the info.

[mittewil]

Originally posted by redcalx:
Anyone know if you can do this in Canada with any phones? If so which ones? I currently reside in Alberta, so Bell and Telus are the main providers.

Also... is it just as simple as hooking your cell phone up to the modem in the powerbook and dialing out to a dialup line?

Somebody in this thread mentioned geting 120k/second... but how do you do that with a dialup line?

You don't use the modem in the Powerbook. Most mobile devices will use a usb cable, serial cable or bluetooth to talk to your system. The settings you use for the data connection depend on the mobile provider you are using.

[mittewil]

Originally posted by omegahack:
for all the sprint people doing this what software do you use? and do you use a usb connection cable or a modem cable? I have a sprint phone with vision and i think this would be a neat idea. Thanks for the info.

If you do a google search with "sprint pcs vision mac os x" you will find lot's of info on how to set up your Sprint PCS vision device with your system for data services.

[dreverhart]

Using a Sprint Vision Phone with a USB cable in Mac OS X could not be easier - here are the steps.

1. Purchase a Sprint Vision phone (I use the Samsung a500) and USB cable (from Radio Shack for $20) and sign up for the Vision plan (I got it for $10/month when it first came out, I think it is $15 now for unlimited data use).

2. Plug usb cable into phone and computer. The phone will be detected automatically and a dialog box will show that a new device has been detected.

3. Set up a new location in the network preferences and call it something like "Sprint Vision". Chose the Vision modem script (it is installed with 10.2.6) and enter #777 as the phone number. No login or password.

4. Click connect and begin surfing at 80-120k.

No additional software is necessary. Isn't Mac OS X beautiful?

[doyouflip]

Originally posted by chrisutley:
I too have Sprint and have used my Treo 300 to connect to the Net with my PowerBook 667 DVI. It works quite well, and while it's not fast - it's fast enough for email and light browsing.

Do you need special software to do that? I have a Treo 180 on T-mobile now, but am going to get a Treo 600 and switch to Sprint. I'm trying to figure out if I'll be able to use the T600 as a modem. The Sprint reps can tell me is that June Fabrics' PDANet software will do it. But that's PC only.

How'd you do it? Is it as easy as all the other phones people are talking about here?

[TiUser]

This might be a dumb question, but do you need to sign up to a monthly fee with a provider? If I have email/internet through my university, can't I just use the mobile phone and call the remote access number provided by the school? Please advise. Thanks.

[CMYKid]

sorry, i've been away, but it looks liek the rest of the Sprint users have given good info in the meantime.

what you need to keep in mind is this: YES, you can call your regular ISP over your cell phone and not pay any more (except it uses your minutes of course) but what WE are talking about is actually hijacking the over-the-air Internet intended for your phones built-in browser and routing it to your laptop.

The fastest you can hope to connect by dialing your regular ISP via your cell phone is about 19k/sec. Dialing directly into Sprints Vision service usually yields around 100k/sec. They predict bandwidth available at DSL speeds within the next 6 months.

[CheesePuff]

Treo 600 is now out at most Sprint stores.

SE T608 will be out any day now, was suppose to be out last week but it was delayed again. If you have a business account and ask about it you can actually order it.

As long as you don't go over 335 MB of data transfer, you're fine. Even if you do (which I have) nothing really happens, but if you hit a GB then maybe you will get a call from Sprint.

[yticolev]

Originally posted by CMYKid:
sThe fastest you can hope to connect by dialing your regular ISP via your cell phone is about 19k/sec.

Hmmm, I wonder. The advertised speed of non Vision Sprint is 14.4 and this is what my PPP control panel and my handset shows. And if you are dialing up an ISP, is it digital all the way? I am thinking that you have to use an ordinary modem script and sending analog which will slow things down considerably, not to mention a really slow negotiation of initial connection which will cost you minutes.

I remember years ago when I first tried to figure out handset connection to my 3400 that I was able to connect successfully to both an ISP as well as AOL but poorly. It was useable. Then I was out of it for a while and then discovered that Verizon and Sprint both had network ISPs free with digital throughput. I canceled my online services because this works so well. Even at this slow speed, I can connect and upload and download 10 emails in about 25 seconds of phone time.

I cannot think of a good reason to use a dialup unless they do not allow email access from a network connection.

[MacsGalor]

How fast does this activity drain your phones battery?

[SOLIDAge]

Originally posted by MacsGalor:
How fast does this activity drain your phones battery?

Well, using a T610 and T-Mobile...i can say the battery is effected like normal talk time, plus some...because of the Bluetooth.

So what is the difference between T-Zone's $10 a month, and The $20 a month unlimited Data? i currently have the unlimited data plan, but if the $10 a month works for me, then i'll go that route.

anyway, the T610 or the T616 is a wonderful phone, and it ROCKs, if the Nokia 3650 was able to act as a modem, i might have been tempted to go that route, but as it stands the T610 is the king in my mind.

Originally posted by CheesePuff:

SE T608 will be out any day now, was suppose to be out last week but it was delayed again. If you have a business account and ask about it you can actually order it.

The T608 was canned, SE didn't think there was much demand for it, and didn't forsee CDMA i guess as a viable option for a phone.

[jokell82]

How exactly do you get the T610 to work as the PB's modem? I have a T610 and T-Mobile, but I could never figure out how to get it up and running...

[MacsGalor]

Originally posted by dreverhart:
Using a Sprint Vision Phone with a USB cable in Mac OS X could not be easier - here are the steps.

1. Purchase a Sprint Vision phone (I use the Samsung a500) and USB cable (from Radio Shack for $20) and sign up for the Vision plan (I got it for $10/month when it first came out, I think it is $15 now for unlimited data use).

2. Plug usb cable into phone and computer. The phone will be detected automatically and a dialog box will show that a new device has been detected.

3. Set up a new location in the network preferences and call it something like "Sprint Vision". Chose the Vision modem script (it is installed with 10.2.6) and enter #777 as the phone number. No login or password.

4. Click connect and begin surfing at 80-120k.

No additional software is necessary. Isn't Mac OS X beautiful?

Thank you, and mittewil you guys rock I went out and got a cable today signed up for vision (two mnonths free ) And now I am on the web! The only thing is you said the connection is 80-120K which should be fast however I load pages really slow. Did I miss something? How do I get my speed up? I did not use a different modem script than the Sprint PCS on that came pre-installed. Should I look for one?

[MacsGalor]

One more thing I forgot to ask is, Can you download something to your phone (ie a ringer) when connected this way? If so how? Lastly, the last time that I flew my phone had service throughout the flight although I did not make a call, do you think (I know this is evil ) that you could be surfing the web in flight?

[damonledet]

I went to sprint today and i got the 8100 I also stopped and got the data cable everything works good got connected to the net with no problem. Only one thing i can't get it to work with isync has anybody had any luck?

[mattyd]

hey all -

there are a few threads about the t616, so please excuse my posting the same question in a few places.

i just got a sony ericsson t616 with at&t gsm coverage. so far everything is great. i don't seem to be having trouble with reception or dim screens like some others have reported.

however, i can't get iSync to sync all-day calendar appointments. there's a symbol in the manual to signify all day events and if i add an appointment to the phone's calendar i can set the start time at midnight one day to midnight the next and it recognizes it as all-day.

has anyone figured this out, or is this a limitation.

also, the manual says that you can include a mailing address for contacts, but i haven't seen that either.

thanks!

[EvanV]

Has anyone gotten any luck for this to work in Canada?

Unlimited data, cheap/month plans? If so, post em!

[Chemmy]

Originally posted by MacsGalor:
One more thing I forgot to ask is, Can you download something to your phone (ie a ringer) when connected this way? If so how? Lastly, the last time that I flew my phone had service throughout the flight although I did not make a call, do you think (I know this is evil ) that you could be surfing the web in flight?

The reason you aren't supposed to use your cell phone on an airplane is because your calls will clog up lots of cell phone towers at once.

Be considerate and turn your phone off while flying.

[Fellow2000]

Originally posted by MacsGalor:
Thank you, and mittewil you guys rock I went out and got a cable today signed up for vision (two mnonths free ) And now I am on the web! The only thing is you said the connection is 80-120K which should be fast however I load pages really slow. Did I miss something? How do I get my speed up? I did not use a different modem script than the Sprint PCS on that came pre-installed. Should I look for one?

Why do you think that this should be fast? It is only twice the speed of dialup. It shouldn't be that fast at all, especially if you are used to a 10mb connection or something through a dsl or cable line.

It is fast though compared to 56k, so at least you do not have to deal with that.

[MacsGalor]

I realized after I made the post on what that connection speed should get so you are correct, and the airplane thing I was speaking Hypothetically, I would not use my phone in flight unless it was an emergency.

[danbrew]

The agency that decided you can't use your phone in the airplane is the FCC, not the FAA. A plane won't fall out of the sky because you make a call during the flight - but you will jump around to a bunch of towers due to your altitude and speed - and it would be pretty easy for your cellular provider to demonstrate you were using a phone inflight.

Of course the FAA is going along with the FCC. I've used tmobile service from flight several times with no problems - and the plane didn't crash or explode or anything either.

[wanderlust]

Originally posted by mattyd:
hey all -

there are a few threads about the t616, so please excuse my posting the same question in a few places.

i just got a sony ericsson t616 with at&t gsm coverage. so far everything is great. i don't seem to be having trouble with reception or dim screens like some others have reported.

however, i can't get iSync to sync all-day calendar appointments. there's a symbol in the manual to signify all day events and if i add an appointment to the phone's calendar i can set the start time at midnight one day to midnight the next and it recognizes it as all-day.

has anyone figured this out, or is this a limitation.

also, the manual says that you can include a mailing address for contacts, but i haven't seen that either.

thanks!

This is a limitation that has no solution yet. I know others have seen this earlier with the t68i, and although there are many things that have been improved with the t610/t616, that issue seems not to have been addressed. If there is a solution, you might find it on one of these forums:

http://www.wirelessadvisor.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/maccellphone/messages/
http://www.howardforums.com
http://www.esato.com
http://www.mobiledia.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=4

Good luck.

[MacsGalor]

Like I said earlier I have a Sprint phone and this works good for me but does Verizon have anything similar? I am looking for a friend. Thanks

[Ryan1524]

for a BT phone, nothing beats the T630 or the Z600. thy're awesome and fixes anything that was wrong with the T610/6 (weak RF).