firstorbit84

Hi guys,

I'm trying out Centrafuse to make sure I can get everything working properly before I commit to buying anything. So far I've been able to get my BlackBerry 8120 to pair with Centrafuse and use it to make/receive calls, but I can't seem to get it to work as a modem with the BlueSoleil program running... while it worked as a modem over Bluetooth fine through Window's built-in Bluetooth and MSDUN... even without BlackBerry Desktop Manager Running!!

I'm working on a Asus Eee PC 701 with Windows XP a Generic Bluetooth adapter...

It seems like I have to make a choice as to whether I would rather have my phone tether as a modem or be able to make/receive calls. Has anyone been able to do both of these tasks with a BlackBerry Pearl using the BlueSoleil drivers??

I guess my other option would be to tether via USB whenever I wanted to go online and use bluetooth exclusively for calls. However, I haven't tried this yet, and I know that I'd most likely need to have BlackBerry Desktop Manager Running in the background....Any thoughts??

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firstorbit84

Update: I think I'm going to just use the Bluetooth for the phone feature and use the USB to tether and go online, and leave the device manager running in the background.

VegasGuy

I can't say for sure on your particular device, but I don't think you can actively tether a phone, by bluetooth or usb, and recieve calls at the same time. It's one or the other.

I had my LG Chocolate tethered on its usb cable and it worked fine as a modem, but could not take or place calls while the connection was active. I never got it to tether on Bluesolie either, but I didn't really try all that hard.

VegasGuy

firstorbit84

IIRC my BB when tethered via USB will be able to make and receive calls, but just drops the internet connection and makes you redial, or you just lose all your bandwidth and it slows down to practically 0kbps... so, agreed that you can't do both at the same time, but it won't block calls when online either.

redbeauty2012

does it cost extra money if you use a blackberry data service to get internet on a laptop for a carpc

VegasGuy

Short answer: probably no.

A couple of assumptions:

1. Your BB came with a data plan. not much use without one, I suppose.
2. Your data plan is unlimited, meaning there's no EFFECTIVE cap on the amount of data downloaded.

Hook it up and go for it. Should work just fine. Some plans place a monthly cap on the amount of data downloaded, even on their "unlimited" plans, but you have to really abuse it to get them to enforce the limit.

The reason you want to have an unlimited plan is because the nature of you net usage will change between a Blackberry and a laptop. Net usage on a BB device is a tad more task-oriented, since the keyboard and screen are not all that well suited for casual web browsing and online interaction. More of a get on, get what you want and get off kind of experience. The laptop, on the other hand, delivers a more or less traditional web experience, so more time spent = more data across the pipe.

I have unlimited 4G WiMax in my truck, but I don't spend much time surfing the web in it because the keyboard and screen are optimized for small size, NOT ease of use. Since I run the screen at 800X600 (I can't read anything smaller than that) and most websites are setup for 1024x768 minimum, I have to do a LOT of scrolling round the screen. Not fun.

VegasGuy

redbeauty2012

alright so what do i actually need to gain access from my blackberry storm. i have unlimited data plan from verizon if that means anything.

DarquePervert

Verizon wants you to pay extra to tether your blackberry. That is one option.

There is an app called TetherBerry that allows tethering as well.
I have never used Tetherberry, but have heard good things about it. Supposedly it's a one-time purchase of the app, and nothing else.

__________________

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VegasGuy

Again, if you don't over do it, your existing plan will probably work fine, but I'm sure Verizon would prefer you pay extra for the priviledge.

VegasGuy

firstorbit84

My carrier, T-Mobile, does NOT charge extra for tethering your Blackberry. Mainly for two reasons though:
1. There is no competing product from T-Mobile, like a laptop connect card.
2. There is no 3G on T-Mobile's Blackberrys, so speeds are limited.

AFAIK, every other major carrier DOES want you to pay for tethering. However, as mentioned above, there are sometimes ways around this. For more info, and Blackberry-specific discussion I'd head over to www.crackberry.com 's forums.

To get us back on topic:
Another update on my tethering/phone over bluetooth issue. It looks like using the phone over bluetooth with my current hardware produces too much of an echo to be of any use. So I might as well tether over bluetooth until I upgrade my mic and get a Phoenix SOHO echo cancellation card.

redbeauty2012

so there is no way of getting "free" internet on your laptop by using my blackberry data plan

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