User profile for user: Steven Cohn
Steven Cohn Author
User level: Level 1
18 points

Which Bluetooth phone "just works"?

I have a Bluetooth-equipped PowerBook running 10.4.2 and I live in a country where I can use the cell phone as a GPRS modem. I'd like to get that going, but I want to buy the phone that can be set up most easily and reliably.

I spent hours trying to get my machine to connect with a Sony Ericsson K700i, with no luck, even though the cell phone had internet access and my machine could communicate with it via Bluetooth. Now, I'd like to find a phone that actually is considered completely Mac-compatible, including all the synchronization and other features. Any suggestions/experiences? Thanks in advance.

Posted on Oct 29, 2005 10:29 PM

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14 replies
User profile for user: Trevor Harley
Trevor Harley
User level: Level 2
374 points

Oct 30, 2005 11:51 AM in response to Steven Cohn

I agree with Alexander - I have the Sony Ericsson K700i too and have found it to be extremely easy to use with my Macs - I can connect to it with BT, transfer photographs, use iSync, and so on.

But there are two meanings to "connect" - one is just pairing with the phone via BT and doing things such as syncing, and the other is using the phone as a modem, which is more complex and involves things such as fiding the right modem script. I assume from what you say that the problem is with the second stage?
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User profile for user: Steven Cohn
Steven Cohn Author
User level: Level 1
18 points

Oct 31, 2005 10:41 AM in response to Trevor Harley

Thanks guys. I never owned the phone. I spent a few hours with a VERY patient salesperson in the store trying it out with my PowerBook.

Trevor, you are correct... using the phone as a modem was the problem. After failing with the Mac's included scripts, I downloaded and tried all of Ross Barkman's scripts, to no avail. Every time I tried to get my Mac to initiate a connection, it seemed to fail at PPP authentication. I followed the instructions to the letter and even let the salesperson try setting it up as close as possible to his PC, which was sitting right next to my PB and working fine. No dice.

The guy at the Apple Store here (Costa Rica) told me that Motorola's Bluetooth phones work well with the Mac as a GPRS modem. However, the salesperson at the store selling Motorola products wasn't nearly as cooperative. He wouldn't let me drop my SIM into a phone to try it out, so I didn't buy it. I was thinking about a V600. Any thoughts?

Also, why doesn't Apple publish a list of compatible devices and what the capabilities of each is with the Mac? Seems like a no-brainer.

Thanks again.

Steve
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User profile for user: Alexander Traud
Alexander Traud
User level: Level 4
2,700 points

Oct 31, 2005 1:48 PM in response to Steven Cohn

You can stick with your K700i. It works, both with internal and with Ross Barkman modem script although I recommend the latter one.

Question remains, have you followed all guides of Ross Barkman? http://www.taniwha.org.uk/gprs.html
If it still fails, which network provider are you using? IceCelular? You have to enter icecelular into the number field in System Preferences > Network > Bluetooth > PPP. Have you done that? Have you changed the PPP Options correctly?

If still not working, ask your network provider if you are allowed to access GPRS internet with your data plan. If still not working activate verbose logging in PPP Options and post the result of Applications > Internet Connect > Window menu > Log.
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User profile for user: Steven Cohn
Steven Cohn Author
User level: Level 1
18 points

Nov 3, 2005 11:20 AM in response to Alexander Traud

Unfortunately, I don't have the phone any longer. The store is about a 5-hour drive from me, and I'm pretty sure I tried everything on Ross' page before deciding it didn't work. I read all the documents many times.

The phone itself was able to initiate the GPRS connection, so I know it works with my plan. And my Mac was able to communicate with the phone, but it failed every time when contacting or authenticating with the PPP server. Oh, and yes, I entered icecelular into the number field.

Based on your response, I am considering just ordering the K700i and taking my chances that I'll eventually get it to work, but it's an expensive gamble in this part of the world. Also, having to download third-party scripts, try a all of them to see which one works, and follow a bunch of instructions about what I might have to enter in a few different fields does not qualify as "just working" in my book. That's what caused me to post my original note. If there's a phone I can set up with the Bluetooth Assistant and one of Apple's included scripts (I've heard mention of some older Sony Ericsson models, and some newer Motorolas), that might be a better choice.

Unfortunately, my limited access to both the phone and the internet do not make it practical to troubleshoot the setup online. I need to find a setup that's supposed to work well and then take my PowerBook and SIM card into the store before I buy it.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

steve
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User profile for user: Michael Lafferty
Michael Lafferty
User level: Level 6
16,085 points

Nov 3, 2005 9:37 PM in response to Steven Cohn

You might want to look at something a little more sophisticated than the do-it-yourself with modem scripts approach, because ICE supports 3G service in Costa Rica. Take a look at
b Mobile High Speed for Mac OS X
from
b nova media.
There is a long list - a hundred or more - of mobile handsets and PCMCIA cards supported by this software.

You can obtain more information about it here:
] http://www.novamedia.de
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User profile for user: Alexander Traud
Alexander Traud
User level: Level 4
2,700 points

Nov 4, 2005 6:34 AM in response to Steven Cohn

The K700i works. Period. There is no easier way. Period. It can just work, see the end of the Apple Bluetooth Assistent. Period. Unfortunately then your phone must be set up correctly which is not the case always. Failure of your network provider. Period.

This is why you should go for Ross Barkman's modem scripts, download them, use one – there isn't much options. Simply try it again and post the verbose output of the Internet Connect application.

You will face the same problem with any other mobile phone but nearly all work. Have none here, which does not. The K700i is one of the best choices. Period.
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User profile for user: Ryan Bragg
Ryan Bragg
User level: Level 1
0 points

Nov 10, 2005 7:40 AM in response to Steven Cohn

I have a k700i and have been quite happy with it. The only trouble I have been having is pairing with my powerbook. I have been trying many suggestions I have found online, including initiating from the phone or using Apple's bluetooth assistant. The Assistant indicates it cannot validate the phone and the phone suggests access is denied. Am I doing something wrong or is there a simple setting that I should be looking at!

Any advice will be appreciated.
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User profile for user: Ryan Bragg
Ryan Bragg
User level: Level 1
0 points

Nov 10, 2005 9:14 AM in response to Alexander Traud

I have tried to enter the same pairing key but I am getting nowhere. I am running 10.3.9 and I keep getting told by the phone that the access is denied. The powerbook cannot validate or if I try and browse bluetooth devices it can only find the long hyphenated code, not the phone name. Apple suggests pairing will not work unless the name is found.

I am wondering if there is something set wrong on the phone. I am fairly competent on the Apple end but more of a novice with the phone.
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Which Bluetooth phone "just works"?

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