The new Macs just came out.

Fine. I've been waiting for the latest tweak.

So I walk in the Apple Store, tell them what I want... and while I'm waiting... I feel like shooting the bull. So I ask, "Hey, so my blackberry can tether to a Mac, right?".

I honestly thought that it was just a time filler question... but as it turns out, the answer is no!

What????

This is totally unexpected. I had to walk away empty handed because of this. I have *got* to have the ability to tether. (no, I don't want a kooky bluetooth method.)

So does my blackberry force me to stay with Windows????

I see a $70 bit of software that *might* work, but it doesn't seem like the most graceful solution....and it's not ready yet.

Heck, walk into a Verizon store with your Windows machine and they will happily sling you free tethering software like they can't wait to get rid of it and it works great.

I have read all kinds of gripes in forums like these, but why is this news to me? Isn't this a huge issue?????

** Moved to Mac Users Corner **

Sounds like somebody tried to feed you a big steaming pile. I tether all the time with my MBP and 8310 on ATT. I just had to load a script, pair via Bluetooth and enter a few modem parameters. It's pretty worthless without 3G though. That's the only reason I keep my Windows Mobile device around!

I've heard from others on Verizon that you must have a specific tethering data plan though. Really I don't know why tethering on any platform is such a great mystery. There's nothing to it, just a few details change from carrier to carrier.

The main problem is you can't get a straight answer from most carriers, let alone decent tech support.

Could you post instructions of how you managed to tether your 8310 w a MBP, and perhaps post the modem script you used and the modem parameters you entered. I would greatly appreciate it. I have had no success with getting my 8310 on ATT to work. Thanks.

Knocka

Apple will tell you this and so will Verizon because tethering is not SUPPORTED via Mac OS X or even a Mac running Windows. The key word here is supported, which means if you ask this question instead of saying the truth in that they don't know how to tether via a Mac they instead say there is no way to do it.

I have a month old Macbook Pro (I didn't want to wait for the Penryns and I'm glad I didn't) and tethering my 8830 from Verizon via Windows Vista was an extreme chore because I had some issues installing the VZ Access Manager and it recognizing the correct modem. It literally took several hours (I was probably just a random case, most people wouldn't have this issue) to do this but it only took maybe 3 minutes tops tethering via bluetooth in Mac OS X.

I haven't tried tethering via a cable (like I do when I run my Macbook Pro in Windows Vista) so I don't have advice on how to do that. For bluetooth in Mac OS X I just easily paired the devices together (it doesn't matter which device initiates the pairing) and then after the BlackBerry 8830 was listed as one of my bluetooth devices. I then clicked on BlackBerry 8830 listed under the bluetooth icon and clicked the wheel looking icon next to the add and subtract button and selected "configure this device". I then checked "Access the Internet with your phone's data connection" and selected continue. For Phone Vendor I selected "Other" (at the bottom of the list) and then the only phone model available was "Verizon Support (PC 5220)". I was very excited about this because I thought I would have to load custom modem scripts but apparently Mac OS X 10.5.2 already has these scripts. I then entered my username as "XxxXxxXxxx@vzw3g.com" where XxxXxxXxxx was my phone number, used "vzw" as the password, and used "#777" as the phone number.

After doing these things I clicked on the phone icon that was added after doing this setup and selected "Connect Bluetooth". Within 5 seconds my Verizon 8830 was connected and I was able to verify this my seeing that my 8830 displayed "Modem Mode Enabled" at the top of the device. I was now able to browse the internet wirelessly using my phone and have had no issues yet. One thing you must know is that you have to call Verizon and tell them you want tethering added (it's an additional $15/mo. with the first month free) and there is no way to use tethering without paying this fee.

Wow, thanks. Of course, bluetooth isn't of high interest... I want the higher speeds allowed through the use of an actual USB cable.... but I will certainly try to set it up.

I already tether my 8830 to my windows machine through the usual verizon software.... nice snappy internet browsing.

OK, so can I at least assume that I can use *wired* tethering to a Mac when under bootcamp?? (

I think someone said that VMfusion or Parellels won't work with wired tethering.

BTW, the Motorola Q *does* work with the Mac OS X!

If I have to run Bootcamp, then I have the additional concern of partitioning hard drive space and having a large enough hard drive for all the extra software. (I don't know how bootcamp works exactly)

After looking at my Windows options for the past few days, I am starting to look back at the Mac. Lenovo and possibly the new Dell business computer (Vostro) looked interesting. I can get them with slightly more power for less money, but it is difficult to find windows machines that are the right *size* (smallish), with decent build quality, and battery life for the same price.

So I can use wired tethering with the blackberry 8830 through bootcamp?

No idea about Boot Camp, never used it myself. I prefer Parallels since I don't have to reboot, it's just another application. I have had no problem tethering via USB to Windows XP running in Parallels. Desktop Manager 4.3.

I have been told that the virtual Windows applications (Fusion/Parallels), won't do a darn thing for you when it comes to tethering for internet use.

Just to be clear, are you saying that you are able to tether with your blackberry for *internet* access? using Parallels? That would be wonderful, but i have heard otherwise.

Syncing isn't what I'm talking about, and I assume your "desktop manager" quote is in reference to that.

On my XP machine, the desktop manager is a syncing program. The program used for internet access is called "Verizon Access"... and only works in Windows.

Yes, I'm telling you that I can access the internet just fine tethering my 8310 to XP under Parallels by USB. Of course, you can not easily share that internet access with the Mac side.

So I don't know how I can state it any clearer. XP can get on the internet through a BB when running under Parallels. The fact that its a virtual machine has nothing to do with it.

There were problems with BB's connected via USB to eariler versions of Parallels, but 3.0 build 5584. The reason I stated Desktop Manager 4.3 is that you have to have DM installed as it is what installs the USB drivers for your BB. Of course it does not have to be running for internet access.

Further, I'm able to do this without any further software (from AT&T or other) installed. I don't know if you can be so lucky on Verizon. You may just need their software too.

I haven't successfully tethered my SR MacBook 2.2 to my 8320 but I will try to check if SVT's setup would work for me.

Oh yeah, I want the newer Penryns, too!

Sorry, but I had to clarify. In prior conversations, some people say "tether" in reference to simply hooking the BB to the PC for simple syncing. Just getting our vocabulary on the same track here!

Well, I hope you are right!

Now, I'm trying to think of a way of testing it out. I do *not* want to buy a Mac only to discover that it won't work.

I wonder if the Apple store would allow me to use one of their own computers w/ parallels and install BB desktop and testing it. I'd be surprised if it doesn't require Verizon's software, but...

When I had a Verizon Cellular modem, the salesman said: "if you have a Mac, no software is needed. If you have Windows, you'll need some extra software".

This is why I was stunned to find that blackberrys had this issue with Macs...actually, most tethered cell phones have this issue with Macs.

So cool, I'm off to investigate. Any further tips are appreciated!

Kelton

Wirelessly posted (Curve 8310: BlackBerry8310/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

Problems? Heh, that's why I use a Mac and Bluetooth... There are no problems. From Sprint to ATT, from Palm to Windows Mobile to Blackberry, I've never had a problem tethering.

Now syncing... That's an entirely different story!

Right

I haven't actually tried to tether yet as I wasn't so sure about 10.5.2. But I will try SVT's later.

@BfSkinnerPunk -- I don't think you can sync with the DM on either Parallels or VMWare (as has been posted a lot of times on the other Mac-related threads)

This makes perfect sense. I am able to connect my 8310 to a Mac running Windows XP under both VM Ware Fusion or Parallels (I have tested both) for purposes of backing up the BB, installing software, etc. I do not synchronize because I am on a BES, but there is no reason that synchronization with Outlook running under XP would not work. I synchronize the BB with Cryptmagic and it works fine. However, this would not allow any synching with programs on the Mac side, to my knowledge.

Thus, I see no reason why one could not also connect to the internet on the "XP" side, just as you can from any XP box.

What I thought you had accomplished was to establish the internet connection on the Mac side, without XP, or a way for the Mac side to "see" and use the internet connection established on the XP side. Can you do that?

I've asked this in the Mac forum, and also called the Apple store.

I was excited to buy my first Mac in 10 yrs when, just shooting the bull, i asked, "Hey, I can tether may blackberry to the mac, right?".

Nope.

OK, so I'm not talking about syncing with the Mac... and I'm not talking about using Bluetooth.

I'm talking about using my Verizon 8830 that has the data plan and tethering plan which allows internet surfing when connected to my Windows machine with a usb cable.

So, in another forum, a guy is saying that I can do this so long as I have the latest Parallels 3.0 ... but I get conflicting reports.

Does anyone have any success with the internet-tethered blackberry-Mac?
If Parellels works... does VMFusion?

Thanks for any help or confirmation!
Kelton

moving to Mac Users Corner. you might get an answer a bit quicker there.

Parallels and VMFusion will allow you totether, but those are tethering via Windows, not Mac OS X

I'm not an expert regarding tethering with a BB, but I do know there is VZAccess software (The dialer Verizon uses for broadband access with their other broadband capable handsets) available for mac OS X. I use it all the time for my Data Card

Darn, I asked this question in another forum to get more bites, but it was moved here!

Anyway, the Apple store returned my call and said they don't currently have an computer with parallels or VM fusion on the floor... if they did, they'd be happy to let me install whatever software I have to see if it works properly.

Otherwise, they have no idea.

I think I'll bring my software to work and find a co-worker with a new MacBook and try it out on their's (if they have Parallels 3.0).

So far, only one poster has said that they are sure it will work.

Man, i can't believe this is such a rare and "unknown issue"! Aren't there zillions of blackberry users who would want to tether????

I'm surprised to find that so many are unaware of this void in Mac-Blackberry compatibility.

didnt see this post. i am going to merge the threads.

So here is your question:

"Can I tether my 8830 to my Mac using Mac OS X with a USB cable?"

It seems like no one has successfully (at least on the forums) done this without using Parallels or Fusion, which means you are actually running Windows while running Mac OS X. I'll try personally to see if I can do this myself (just using Mac OS X as I use Boot Camp to run Windows) and see what I can figure out.

Still a no go on the USB. Unless you want to run Fusion or Parallels (which means you will have to install Windows) you will not be able to use your 8830 as a USB modem. It seems like there is a program out there which allows you to do this but I can't find it and it supposedly costs money.

Geez guys, you're getting pretty scattered here. Let me summarize with that I know I can personally do on my machine.

My equipment:
1. MacBook Pro 17" with 2.33 GHz Core2Duo and 3 GB of RAM
a. OS X 10.5.2
b. Microsoft Office 2008
c. Mark/Space Missing Sync for BlackBerry 1.03
2. Parallels 3.0 build 5584
a. Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2, all updates applied
b. BB Desktop Manager 4.3
c. Microsoft Office 2003
3. BB Curve 8310
a. OS 4.2.2.184
b. AT&T Service

My capabilities:
1. USB to Parallels: Sync, tether, transfer files, install apps, update OS, etc.
2. Bluetooth to Parallels: no point, haven't tried.
3. USB to Mac: Sync and transfer files.
4. Bluetooth to Mac: Tether and transfer files.

While tethering to either the Mac or Parallels, it is in fact possible to share the internet connection with the other OS. However, this is a big PITA. You must have your Parallels VM Network Adapter set to the "Shared networking" mode and this causes a few problems.

1. It seems that more often than not, both the Mac and PC side fail to get DHCP information from the other. So this requires some static IP assignment. Each time you enable/disable internet connection sharing on each OS, the IP schema can change, so you have to reset static entries each time.

2. Using "Shared networking" mode on my virtual machine prevents me from connecting to my work VPN, so I just don't use it.

So pick your mode of operation. It will depend on what capabilities you want on each OS. You can have full functionality on both sides, just that simultaneously on both side may be cumbersome or simply not practical.

Further, tethering with an Edge device is very painful. Can't wait for 3G BB's. Until then, I just don't tether unless I really have to. And when I know I'll really have to, I bring my Windows Mobile handset and swap SIMs!

OP, I've got good news. I just successfully tethered my Verizon 8830 using the USB cable and I'm posting this using that connection.

What I did was download the VZAccess Manager for Mac which can be found on the Verizon Wireless website. They say the BlackBerry 8830 is not supported but I just installed it with no issues. It definitely seems faster than using the 8830 as a bluetooth modem.

Here's the link for the software for any of you Verizon Wireless BlackBerry users who want to tether with the USB cord in Mac OS X:
VZAccess Manager

I chose Mac 10.5.x as my operating system, PDA / Advanced Device as my device, and Motorola Q as my hardware. I know it isn't anything close to the BlackBerry but the software is the same for all devices.

I had no problem setting up the BB 8730e as a tethered modem using a USB cable. I was unable to setup the BB 8730e as a tethered modem using Bluetooth - the 2 devices pair just fine, but when I go to configure the phone, I get a message: "There were no configurable services found on your device. This could be due to services not being enabled on the device, or the device migh not have any services that need to be configured with the computer."

If anyone has been able to use the BB 8730e as a Bluetooth tethered modem, please say so. It sure would be nice to connect to the Internet and especially to my network at work without a cable connecting my laptop to my Blackberry. Or is the throughput too slow using Bluetooth?

How unpleasant/slow is a Bluetooth-Internet connection using Verizon's faster network? I know that everything is quite unpleasant using ATT's Edge but my USB connection using Verizon on a PC has always been excellent. When I tried it from the Mac side with a USB cable just now it seemed just fine. Should I keep trying to use Bluetooth or is it too slow to bother?

Thanks.
Jon