Hi,
Has anyone been able to use their 8700 on Tmoble to a mac os x as a modem? If so, I could use a little help?
Thanks

Several threads on this one. No luck to date. No modem drivers out yet.

Thanks, I was doing some searches and had no luck. I was hoping that I was wrong.

To UNIX-experienced Mac users:

A test though; do you have any new serial services in your /dev/ subdirectory? A Linux user reported that a serial port 'showed up' when they plugged their BlackBerry in.

This may be a standardized USB serial port. Can you UNIX users jump to your Mac xterm/terminal and check out the /dev/ folder? (I think that exists on Mac too, I don't have a Mac at hand to check.)

I plugged it in but no devices seen in /dev/.. I added it as a "serial bluetooth" device and there is a /dev/cu.B.... device created. I tried connecting to it with zterm w/o any luck.

Just tried it with a 7100c. Nothing new in /dev.

I have a 12" Powerbook G4, OS X Tiger 10.4.5.

There are new devices listed under /dev/ for me. The following is what I found by doing a "ls -la" in the /dev/ directory (I only list Blackberry stuff)


crw-rw-rw 1 root wheel 9, cu.BlackBerry8700-BlackBer-1
crw-rw-rw 1 root wheel 9, cu.aequitasBB-BlackBerryDe-1
crw-rw-rw 1 root wheel 9, tty.BlackBerry8700-BlackBer-1
crw-rw-rw 1 root wheel 9, tty.aequitasBB-BlackBerryDe-1

FYI, my username is aequitas, for those wondering.

Let me know if I can help out any more! I want to get this working ASAP. I am on travel often and would love to use my Powerbook in airports with no free wireless.

I know *nix fairly well and I know computers even more, so if any of you have any ideas, I would not be afraid to try them.

I initially found the initialization string for the 7100t - you can google it

init string for 7100t:
AT+cgdcont=1,"IP","wap.voicestream.com","",0,0

(T-mobile - of course)

So, last night I was looking for the init $ for the 8700g, I found this - but for Cingular:

AT+cgdcont=1,"IP","proxy"

what the heck, I tried it.. got to "registering on the network" and ofcourse eventually failed

grrr.... but hey, close!!

hmmm, maybe this will work?

AT+cgdcont=1,"IP","wap.voicestream.com"

it did!!

well, it's no broadband but you can clearly SEE the difference between the 7100 and the 8700. Now the 7100 could stream sirius (connected to a laptop - of course) now we KNOW the 8700 can.

so there you have it

I don't see why this wouldn't work on ANY platform:
just add a generic modem to COMx (x defined or rather stated in BBDM)
add the initializatrion string
dial *99#
username: " "
password: " "

" " = space - to ensure that windows isn't giving your password out for free

Rock-n-Roll!!

oh yeah, BBDM needs to be running when you attempt to connect.

Hope this helps errrbody!!

you did this on a mac?

the way it sounds, it was on Windows, because there is no "BBDM" (BlackBerry Desktop Manager) for OS X.

Has anybody been able to select a Terminal script in the Network > BlackBerry > PPP Options? If i could get that to be selectable, I could get further than I am currently.

One could see if PocketMac for Blackberry could work in place of the Desktop Manager software. I can't try it until I get home from work, which will be tomorrow afternoon. Double-shifts are not fun.

Doxology,

That is exactly how it would be done - using PocketMac to keep the connection.

The problem is that (for me anyway) I can not tell the PPP Options to run a selected Terminal Script.

Another option would be to connect to the 7100/8700 via USB and run BBDM in a Parallels Windows virtualization window.

It would seem that Blackberry Manager would function fine in a Windows XP or 2000 window under OSX. USB ports are vitualized and Windows drivers should enable easy communication.

I don't receive my MacBook Pro until Friday. I will install Parallels Desktop for a few needed Windows applications. It won't be hard to confirm Blackberrry modem functionality under Parallels as I have been using my BB as a modem for over a year with my existing XP notebook.

My intention is not to upset any Apple owners (I own a MiniDuo and a MBPro later this week). Instead, this may be an immediate method to get WAN functionality via your BB.

Run a communications terminal on these /dev files (treat them like a serial port, one by one) and try to manually type the "AT" command followed by Enter (carriage return). Does the BlackBerry respond with "OK" messages? If so, then modem over MacOSX should be possible to do with some UNIX command line scripting (ppp client, etc), bypassing the fancy stuff.

If your MacOS X does not include a serial port terminal, you could download a simple terminal such as C-Kermit somewhere - and try sending some Hayes AT modem commands to these ports, see if these devices automatically respond with an OK message. If so, then all you need is some simple command line ppp client script to pull it all off...

I thought the same thing, unfortunately I couldn't get the XP install running in Parallels to "connect" to the BlackBerry - it kept reporting that the device was in use (my guess is by the OS X PocketMac drivers).

I did get it working by booting into Win XP using Boot Camp. I've got a blog post on this forthcoming.

I have an 8700g with T-Mobile too and would also like to use it as a modem on a Mac (12" G4 Powerbook 10.4.6). I'd be interested if aequitas is able to figure this out. I travel as well as would like to use my Powerbook in the airports or other locations where you have to pay big $$ for wireless (or where it doesn't exist. Any help would be appreciated. Mark Rejhon had some good suggestions. Interesting the 8700g can would using Boot Camp on a new Intel Mac, but unfortunately, I don't have that available.

"PocketMac For BlackBerry takes care of everything for you. Install the software on your Mac in 3 minutes, configure which options you want enabled (Entourage Calendar, iCal, Tasks, etc.), connect your BlackBerry device to your Mac via USB or Serial Cable, and start the sync. That's all that's required. That's literally it.

What's more, PocketMac for BlackBerry was just awarded 4-1/2 of 5 mice by MacWorld UK.

Best of all, thanks to Research In Motion® (RIM®) (designer and manufacturer of the BlackBerry device) licensing PocketMac for BlackBerry, it's free for all BlackBerry users! "

Source:
pocketmac . ne t /products/pmblackberry/indexrim.html

I downloaded PocketMac for Blackberry and it has all the syncing capability but not the modem connect - at least that I can see.

OK - I got the Blackberry to showup on my Powerbook under network by enabling the Blackberry network port, so that is progress. I tried to dial out, but I need to configure a modem and setup a phone number. I assume the number is *99# with blanks for the user name and password, but this still gives me an error. At least it now sees the 8700g as a modem due to PocketMac for the Blackberry. Thanks for the tip. Anyone know the settings that needs to be used to configure the Blackberry modem?

No ... that is what needs to be figured out.

To your question, yes, a new port does show up. When connected via PocketMac in 10.4.6, a new port shows up titled "blackberry" there is not much you can do with that port without a driver, but it's a start.

I also connected my blackberry to a Knoppix Build and some crazy things started happening in the console; it looked like a few new ports opened up, but nothing as drastic as 10.4.6.

Although virtual PC, not parallels or bootcamp, virtualizes USB ports fairly well, I cannot get virtual PC to recognize my 8700c when its connected.

(Apologies in advance for cross-posting this in the several threads on this topic, I want to make sure that those who have expressed an interest in this are able to see it.)

I've started a bounty for the ability to tether a BlackBerry 8700 to a Mac (running Mac OS X). I've kicked in $50 to get things started, I'm hoping that some of you will want to contribute as well.

I've posted the details here:

www DOT alexking DOT org/blog/2006/06/08/tether-blackberry-8700-mac-bounty/

(I still am not allowed to post proper URLs)

I'll kick in $50, with the additional terms that it must work with my 7130e on Verizon and must not rely on PocketMac, since I was not able to get it working.

oodude-

I believe that PocketMac WILL be necessary, because my mac doesn't even recognize the BlackBerry as connected and as a possible modem without PocketMac running.

Can we help you fix your installation somehow?

-Matt

My hunch is the same... the fact that the BlackBerry shows up as a port in Network (with PocketMac) looks promising to me.

I'm in for $50.

I'll probably put in also. Alex, we send the money
via paypal to the address on your site to add to the pot?

-Matt

Yes, please do. I've got all the details at the URL above (if someone with more than 10 posts wants to post a clickable link, that would be gre-e-a-a-t).

The payment address is "paypal AT alexking DAWT org", and please put “BlackBerry Bounty” in the subject/comments.

I will pay whoever figures out how to do it, but I'm not simply paypal-ing a user on a web forum $50 or $100 -- it's not that I don't have a reason to distrust you, but I also have no reason TO ;)

Take a look at my site and my history there - you'll see I've done this sort of thing in the past with contests, etc. and I've got a pretty good online reputation. Do a search on Google or Yahoo for "alex". ;)

This has also been picked up by RIMarkable, MacNN and a number of other online news outlets. Couple that with the fact I make a living primarily based on my online reputation and I hope you'll see "a reason to trust me".

Having a bunch of people saying they "will pay" is not nearly as powerful as having one lump sum as a carrot to dangle.

I had an easier time getting my non Bluetooth Treo 600 on Sprint PCS to work as a modem for my PowerBook G4 2 years ago. I thought certainly the bluetooth 8700g would have no problem serving as a modem for my new MacBook Pro with T-Mobile either via USB or Bluetooth but I have been screwing around with this and reading all these posts for 12 hours and haven't come close.

What a joke.

I finally decided to stop waiting for the Mac solution to using an 8700g as a modem - I needed a new computer anyway. I bought a Macbook and loaded Bootcamp, fully expecting to install the Blackberry Desktop Manager and then use it as a modem. Unfortunnately, even after following all the PC instructions I found online I received an error 736. I contacted T-Mobile and they told me the email/dataplan with the Blackberry ($19.99/month) on top of a voiceplan was NOT enough. I was told I also need the $29 unlimited Internet option. Has anyone confirmed this? Are you all really paying the extra $29/month to use the Blackberry as a mdodem.

Thanks for your help!!

That's incorrect, I've done it on my windows computer with the $19 plan a bunch of times. Are your APN settings in place?

-Matt

the $19 plan isn't even offerend anymore, correct? what is the difference between the 19.99 plan and the 29.99 plan?

I checked them and my APN settings on the Blackberry did not match my settings on the Mac. Once I changed these - this worked great!! BTW - I am running this now on a MacBook in Bootcamp - works fine. Has anyone been able to get this to work using Parallels Desktop?

Thanks!

It doesn't work in Parallels yet.

Thanks for the info. Seems that Desktop Manager works fine, but it doesn't see the Blackberry modem.

Just for the record, I'm typing this off a MacBookPro with my Nokia E61 (T-Mobile UK BIS) as a 3G modem - broadband speeds and faultless operation. The only downer is that you have to temporarily disconnect BIS to take over the packet data connection for modem use, but for me it was a killer reason to move from my 8700.

Toby

The 19.99 plan is still available, but it requires a line that has a voice plan on it. The 29.99 plan is the same one, but it can be on a data only line; it doesn't require a voice plan in addition.