bluetooth phone as modem?

[Glossybear]

I recently upgraded to a Sony T68i to go with my soon to be perchased 12"PB.

I was looking over the KB for Bluetooth info and came across this:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86151
which describes how to use your BT phone as a modem.

At the end of the article it says, ". Click the PPP tab and enter the information for your Internet service provider." Does this mean that I can use my normal ISP (SBC)? Or do I have to have a specific MOBILE ISP?

What is the difference between this method and using GPRS?

 

[Jaykay]

Re: bluetooth phone as modem?

Well theres a number of things here. Its pretty easy to use your bluetooth phone as a modem (even mine works - Nokia 7650 and its not officialy supported by apple). The way i do it is that i have a specific number to dial and just have your username and password setup in the network control panel, just as you would with a standard dial-up modem, as thats what the BT phone is really.

It Should'nt matter what ISP you have.

Originally posted by Glossybear


What is the difference between this method and using GPRS?

Well, GPRS is much faster than a standard modem because its a seperate protocal. You have to have the GPRS service subscribed to on your phone and after that im not exactly sure about it, but im sure theres plenty of peolpe here at MR that do know.

I think GPRS is cheaper as well (On some services).

 

[globalwidget]

I've tried to do this in the past and have gotten nowhere. Upon hitting 'connect' from the modem menu bar item my phone (a Sony ericsson T68) will pair up with my Powerbook, say it is connecting... but then nothing. I've tried dialing an ISP and even my own home phone to see if it will ring but.. nothing.

My phone is AT&T. I have done it using the GMRPS (?) but they charge by the K and that adds up really quick if you are looking at web pages with any sort of graphics.

Has anybody else gotten an ATT T68i to work as a modem? It'd sure be nice to be able to use my laptop nearly anywhere I can get a cell signal.

 

[Jaykay]

Hmmm Hope it helps somewhat.

Originally posted by globalwidget
I've tried to do this in the past and have gotten nowhere. Upon hitting 'connect' from the modem menu bar item my phone (a Sony ericsson T68) will pair up with my Powerbook, say it is connecting... but then nothing. I've tried dialing an ISP and even my own home phone to see if it will ring but.. nothing.

I have my 7650 paired with my 1.25Ghz DP using digicom bluetooth adapter (which just enables the mac os x bluetooth). When it is originally paired it asks you if you want to use it as a BT modem. When that is selected it should come up under network configuration. After that it should setup just like a normal modem PPP.

It should all work as long as the phone and the computer have the same verification code.

If you already knew all this well then, that was a waste. Oh well.

Originally posted by globalwidget
I have done it using the GMRPS (?)

And its GPRS.

 

[topicolo]

So the difference between using the T68 as a normal bt modem and using GPRS through the T68 is that with GPRS, you're only charged with the amount of bandwidth you use?

 

[leprechaunG4]

I work for an ISP and our users can use their cellphones to dial in no problem as long as the cell phone reception is strong enough to sustain the data transfers. Basically you want a strong digital connection with your cell. Then you simply set up your system like a regular dial up and the cellphone is what your modem hooks too instead of a regular phone line. I dunno about using the built in bluetooth, but you can also get specialized modems for computers that hook to the cell phone.