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View Full Version : Surfing the web via Bluetooth?




Freg3000
Apr 10, 2003, 04:39 PM
Is it possible to access in internet using bluetooth between my powerbook and powermac? I am planning to get Airport Extreme in the future, but I'd like to try this in the interim. I know I'd be restricted within 20 feet or so of the Powermac, but I still want to test it out, if at all possible.

I also have a T68i phone which i know can aid in me getting online, but I haven't figured out to do that yet. Has anyone with this phone got online?

Thanks in advance.



BubbaTAC
Apr 10, 2003, 05:32 PM
I'm also interested in this, I have a 12" powerbook and I am looking for a good BT phone to surf the net from the laptop. Do I need a phone with a built in modem, or can I use apples internal modem and just use the BT cellphone to get a dial tone? I know there are older nokias with BT but not built in modem.

Do I need a plan with data service? I know I do for high speed, but I am ok with 9600 since I am just downloading text emails, regular modems just work with audio signals, could I do this with regular minutes on a cell phone? What services to people recommend? How about which phones?

Thanks for your help, I'm looking forward to surfing the forums while stuck on the train

Wildcat
Apr 10, 2003, 05:38 PM
I think that Bluetooth is too slow to even be considered for this aplication.

kaizer
Apr 10, 2003, 10:45 PM
Using Bt for normal surfing is possible. My friend has done it with his PC. He says it's a bit slower because he uses a Pocket PC to surf, and the browser he's using is constantly resizing everything at the background. I think that's the reason for the slowdown, not the BT bottleneck.

Range wise, he told me there's three types (3 classes) of BT. It varies in coverage distance. I'm not sure which class of BT adapter he's using but he told me he could get the signal anywhere within his house (terrace house), so I guess it's more that 30ft.

Hope this helps.

janey
Apr 10, 2003, 10:55 PM
use a T68i...it's a really cool bluetooth phone...but so far it took me about two hours to get my T68i working with my AluBook and i forgot how to do it so by the time i come across a good set of directions i'll tell ya about it.

ibookin'
Apr 11, 2003, 01:23 AM
I got my Audiovox CDM-9500 working as a modem for OS X. If you have Verizon service an ISP is included in your service plan and it only uses your minutes if you connect. It is only 14.4Kbps, but you can get 144Kbps service for $100/month for unlimited access. Unfortunately, my phone does not have Bluetooth, so I have to use a USB cable, but it still works very well for me. If anyone needs directions for setting this up PMor email me.

Freg3000
Apr 11, 2003, 03:25 PM
Originally posted by übergeek
use a T68i...it's a really cool bluetooth phone...but so far it took me about two hours to get my T68i working with my AluBook and i forgot how to do it so by the time i come across a good set of directions i'll tell ya about it.

I would really appreciate it if you could find those directions, or if you could remember how to configure it. This is driving me nuts.

Foxer
Apr 11, 2003, 04:54 PM
There is a good article in the new issue of MacAddict that discusses bluetooth in general and specifically addresses how to teach your Mac to use the BT to do this. I advise you to check it out. Complicated, but doable. Speed will be about the same as a dail-up connection.

yogi477
Apr 11, 2003, 05:37 PM
It took me about 5mins to get my T68i working with my 12"PB on bluettoth just pair them up then connect via bluetooth modem adaptor in the Internet Connect application that comes with the system. You will need to enter your ISP details for a dial up account into the Bluetooth Modem Adaptor bit of the Network settings first. All in all it shoudl take 5-10mins but I would only recommend using it for mail checking not web surfing the connection speed isnt up to mcuh. Unless you have GPRS that is but I am pretty sure configuration of that is a different ball game.

janey
Apr 11, 2003, 09:48 PM
Originally posted by yogi477
It took me about 5mins to get my T68i working with my 12"PB on bluettoth just pair them up then connect via bluetooth modem adaptor in the Internet Connect application that comes with the system...
it normally does take about 5 minutes you are right but i wanted to play around with my T68i and my laptop and see what they can do...so it took me longer :p
Anyway connecting the phone to the laptop is easy, it's all the other stuff i tried to do with it that drove me nuts...

yogi477
Apr 12, 2003, 08:19 AM
Get Sony Ericsson Clicker though, its really fantastic once setup if you want to use your Mac as a digital jukebox especially.