Sprint Smart Phones w/ USB connect Modem capable

[Islandvic]

What do you know of Sprint Smart phones such as the Sprint Power Vision Treo™ 755p.

When I looked at the Treo's last year, they did not have the Sprint supported capability to connect to laptops and act as a wireless modem. You had to download "hacks" to trick the phone into doing this.

Now, "Smart Phones" have

"Phone as Modem Capable:
Connect to your PC with the USB cable or Bluetooth Wireless technology for Internet and email access on the Nationwide Sprint PCS Network. "

Does anyone use their cell phone as a modem to connect laptops to the internet?

Your thoughts and comments.

Thanks

 

[mstrjon32]

A few years ago, I used a Motorola Timeport (a GREAT phone) connected to my laptop to connect to an ISP via a dial-up connection. It worked well, didn't require any special software, and provided a pretty-brisk (for my needs at the time) 14.4 connection. There was no additional fee for the service.

It seems that lately everybody wants to sell data access plans and locks out phones from making data calls, requiring you to either pay for an upgrade or buy a separate unit to connect to the network. Unfortunately, what used to be "free" (make the connection at night/weekend to your own ISP) now costs typically $30+ a month and comes with a bunch of hassles.

Unless you REALLY need it, I think you're better off just hunting for open access points and saving your money.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Quote:

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Does anyone use their cell phone as a modem to connect laptops to the internet?

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I do, but I'm with Cingular. No special software required. You just have to subscribe to their data plan and know the standard username and pass.

It's not lightning fast, but it's ok for checking/responding to email. Web browsing is OK too as long as you don't mind waiting a little for pages to load. It's kind of like being on dialup, maybe slightly faster. I use it all the time when I'm traveling and if no free wireless hotspots are available.

 

[bretfraz]

I just bought a Motorola Q from Sprint and tethering it looks to be pretty easy. http://www.qusers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1274&highlight=

 

[JeepZJ4.0]

I have a Q. I haven't used the modem function yet but mainly because I have a Mac. On my work laptop, I haven't tried using it yet. I do use the phone itself to browse and I find it ok. It works better in downtown Houston than it does out in Katy.