[dmaria]

Somewhere on RIM's website, I saw a reference to 4.1 firmware that enable using bluetooth to sync with a computer. Since T-Mobile has crippled the bluetooth functions of the 7105t, I would like to be able to do this. Has anyone tried this or know anything about it?

[NJBlackBerry]

It is not out yet and is not even being tested yet within T-Mobile. Sometime in early 2006 is my best guess.

[dmaria]

Does this firmware exist and does anyone know if it will be available for this model?

[NJBlackBerry]

I guess you didn't like my answer

[pilotboy72]

Originally Posted by dmaria

Somewhere on RIM's website, I saw a reference to 4.1 firmware that enable using bluetooth to sync with a computer. Since T-Mobile has crippled the bluetooth functions of the 7105t, I would like to be able to do this. Has anyone tried this or know anything about it?

What Bluetooth functionality has T-Mo crippled on the phone exactly?

[NJBlackBerry]

It works exactly as advertised...

[elguevon]

Originally Posted by NJBlackBerry

It works exactly as advertised...

I'm not sure how its technically "advertised" but features normally found on other Bluetooth phones (i.e. remote address book access) are DISABLED for security reasons on the 7100 series phones by BLACKBERRY...not T-Mobile. It's a limitation of the current Blackberry OS (4.0.x). I've read with Blackberry OS v4.1 Bluetooth features that were disabled are now optionally enabled by the user. Again, this is what I've read and the only current Blackberry device that is publically running this v4.1 is the 8700 series.

It's becoming more common place for cars to include Bluetooth technology that enables drivers to use their existing cell phone to make calls utilizing the cell's address book.

See my response to a similar post in a different thread that details this limitation:

http://www.blackberryforums.com/showthread.php?t=18058

Hope this helps....

[NJBlackBerry]

Originally Posted by elguevon

Again, this is what I've read and the only current Blackberry device that is publically running this v4.1 is the 8700 series.

And the 7100i and the 7130e...

And you must remember that the BlackBerry is primarily used by businesses and not enthusiasts. Not one of the 1000 internel BB customers has ever requested additional BT capability. Or ringtones or themes, but that's a different story.

[dmaria]

Originally Posted by NJBlackBerry

And the 7100i and the 7130e...

And you must remember that the BlackBerry is primarily used by businesses and not enthusiasts. Not one of the 1000 internel BB customers has ever requested additional BT capability. Or ringtones or themes, but that's a different story.

I will agree that most business people are not interested in ringtones or themes, but functionality is the primary reason most of these people purchase a phone of this nature. Now, if anyone were to tell me that synchronizing a Blackberry via Bluetooth, as opposed to having to have a cable on hand for every computer you work with (I have 3) does not come under the heading of functional, then I will argue the point.

All 3 of my computers have Bluetooth because of my PDA and a Razor V3. I would either have to carry 3 cables everywhere I go or have 9 cables. But because Cingular decided not to cripple bluetooth, I can install ringtones, sychronize my phonebook with Outlook and transfer photos to and from the Razor - all without a cable and without going thru Cingular. And if you think to convince me that wireless carriers have nothing to do with disabling these functions, then check out the class action suit that Verizon just lost for this very reason.

Finally, I would like to quote "To each, his own". I have lived with a briefcase full of cables for many years, and now the technology is here to eliminate that. The only reason it is not fully implemented is because they would like 25 cents to send a picture or $2.50 for a ringtone or $2.00 for wallpaper.

[NJBlackBerry]

OK, we had this exact same discussion when the 7100 came out. Verizon advertised full BT functionality and didn't provide it. RIM never advertised it. Doesn't matter. Boy, were there a lot of threads about this.

If you don't like the functionality, you can always find something else...

[pinhead]

The functionality of these Blackberies is so limited anyways that I don't even feel like it is a PDA, rather it is an email device. It just happens to have an address book to make emailing and the occassional phone call easier. If you need a "real" PDA phone look at Windows Mobile or a Treo. The Blackberry's simplicity is its best feature.