BT Enabled Cell Phones ??

[bevoy]

I believe I saw threads relating to this question previously, but they may have been lost in the ClieSource crash.

I live in the Phila, PA region of the U.S. and would like to get a Bluetooth enabled cell phone to connect to my SJ30 with a BT MS. I checked websites for Cingular, Verizon, and TMobile and could not easily find such a phone. Am I not looking hard enough? Can someone suggest a phone that is readily available and relatively inexpensive? Are there add-on accessories available that can be added on to a phone to enable BT?

Why is the technology so hard to find in the U.S. It seems like it has not really taken off here yet.

Any help is appreciated. This has been a great forum for my BT education process.

[nsingleton]

I don't know about the US but in the UK the main ones seem to be Sonyericsson and Nokia. I use a T68i with my Clie for accessing email on a daily basis with no probs.

[bevoy]

Thanks for the reply nsingleton. It seems like the Sony-Ericsson T68i with built-in bluetooth and the T61d with an add-on adapter are available.

Does anyone else have any suggestions for phone models?

[blastradius]

Most BT-enabled phones are GSM. Make sure you find one that supports GSM1900 for the US. I haven't seen any CDMA BT-enabled phones (don't know why).

http://www.expansys.us/d_bluetooth.asp

[MonkeyK]

I have a SonyEricsson T68i which is bluetooth enabled. I got it for free from T-Mobile (well, I had to convince them to honor a $200 rebate from Amazon.com, which they did upfront, and then I have a $50 rebate). Just go into the store, they have them. I think that they have recently added them to their website too.

Haven't got any bluetooth accessories yet though...


-Mike

[bevoy]

Thanks for the info blastradius. I looked at the web site you provided and this seemed list a good list of phones.

I did see the T68i on Amazon for free and I am leaning towards this phone. Not bad for free.

[swinter]

Originally posted by bevoy
I believe I saw threads relating to this question previously, but they may have been lost in the ClieSource crash.

I live in the Phila, PA region of the U.S. and would like to get a Bluetooth enabled cell phone to connect to my SJ30 with a BT MS. I checked websites for Cingular, Verizon, and TMobile and could not easily find such a phone. Am I not looking hard enough? Can someone suggest a phone that is readily available and relatively inexpensive? Are there add-on accessories available that can be added on to a phone to enable BT?

Why is the technology so hard to find in the U.S. It seems like it has not really taken off here yet.

Any help is appreciated. This has been a great forum for my BT education process.

The one you want is the Sony Ericsson T68. (I think it's the T68i, but not 100% sure.) AT&T, Cingular, and T-Mobile should all have it. (If T-Mobile doesn't, they will. Alternatively, there are web venders that will sell it or the T39 to you and arrange a T-Mobile hookup.)

Ideally, you want a carrier with GPRS service so you can browse the web on the phone or on your CLIE at faster speeds that old-fashioned dial up. That may limit you to T-Mobile, but you should check AT&T as well.

I am using a T615, BT MS, and an Ericsson T39. Have been doing GPRS on the phone with no problems since April-May. After erratic experiences with Voicestream GPRS on the CLIE, I switched to dial-up access on the CLIE with a regular ISP. Today, I switched back to T-Mobile GPRS service for my CLIE. Must say it is working very smoothly -- like silk. All it took was to create a new data connection on the T39 and then the simple network set up (*99***2#, where "2" is the CID number of the data connection on the phone) on the CLIE. No problems at all.

If you are interested, I am using Xiino for web browsing and SnapperMail for my pop email accounts.

 

[Jaindoire1]

oh please, oh please, oh please swinter, could you post your set-up details, step by step?

I have t-mobile, t68i and Clie w/ bluetooth and Pocket link. I've seen many set-up instructions, but none had the *exact* setup, clearly written. I am lost and draining my clie's battery quickly fumbling with this. I've searched on the forums, but due to the Great Wipe-Out, I'm not finding much...

Thanks in Advance

[swinter]

Originally posted by Jaindoire1
oh please, oh please, oh please swinter, could you post your set-up details, step by step?

I have t-mobile, t68i and Clie w/ bluetooth and Pocket link. I've seen many set-up instructions, but none had the *exact* setup, clearly written. I am lost and draining my clie's battery quickly fumbling with this. I've searched on the forums, but due to the Great Wipe-Out, I'm not finding much...

Thanks in Advance

First, here's the palm webpage with the basic info on how to configure the Palm. (Note that this is pre-OS 5; I don't know if there are any change, though I would think not.)

http://www.palm.com/fi/mobile/gprs.html

Second, I have a T39 and not a T68. I assume the menus are substantially similar.

Okay:

(1) First you have to make sure your SIM card is registered for data services for a PC or PDA. Being registered for GPRS on the phone is not the same thing as they use two different gateways.

(2) Next, on the phone go to Settings and find "Data Comm.", in the "Data Comm." menu click "Data accounts" then "Add new account." Click "GPRS data." It will ask you to give it a name. I called my two data accounts GPRS (for the Palm) and WAP (for GPRS on the phone). Click "yes" after you enter a name and it should take you to a new menu with with three fields: APN, User id, and Password. Ignore the latter two; you need to enter only the APN. What I used for the APN is the old Voicestream data gateway which is "internet2.voicestream.com". (You can call T-Mobile data support at 800-937-8997 and ask if there is a new one, but the old ones for GPRS and WAP are both still working.) Click "yes' then "Save." You should get a prompt saying New GPRS account created (or some such). Before you leave this menu, however, click on the account you just created. You will get a menu with three fields: Edit, Rename, and CID=[n] where n is a number (will probably be 2). Remember that number.

(3) You also need to pair the phone with the CLIE if you are going to use Bluetooth. (This is not necessary for IR connections.) On the phone go to Extras - Bluetooth - Discover. It should search for and find your CLIE. The CLIE has to be put into discoverable mode first, of course: Go to Preferences - Bluetooth and make sure the setting are Bluetooth - enabled, Allow Device to be Discovered  - yes. When the phone finds the CLIE, the latter should give you a prompt "Add to trusted devices?" or something like that. I forget what the phone does, but there may well be something similar. (It's been a long time.) If one or the other asks for a security code, I believe it is 0000 (four zeros). (If that doesn't work, try four ones; if you assigned one or the other of the machines a security code, you may have to use that one.)

(4) Now that the phone and CLIE are paired (each should list the other in the appropriate menu field: "Trusted Devices" on the Palm unit, "Paired devices" on the phone), you have to configure the Palm-side of the connection. In Preferences go to Connection. There should be a list of "Available Connections" that includes "BT to E. T68i." If there isn't you have to go here

http://www.palm.com/fi/mobile/drivers.html#6

first to obtain the drivers and install them on your CLIE. Once installed, select "BT to E. T68i."  (At this point, you can tap on Edit and make sure the next screen's settings all look correct and from there you can tap on Details to set the connection speed.) Then go to Preferences - Network. In the Palm pulldown menu tap New. Enter a name (e.g., T-Mobile or GPRS), for User name just enter the letter A, for Password just enter the letter n, for Connection select BT to E. T68i, and in the box next to Phone enter

*99***2#

Where 2 is the CID number from step (2) above. So, if you got a different CID number when you created the Data account on the phone, use that number.

Before you leave this screen, tap on Details. On the Details screen select Connection Type: PPP, Idle timeout: Never, Query DNS: checked, IP Address: checked. (These can also be added manually, but you shouldn't have to.) Tap OK.

Now you're done. You will be back at the Network screen and can tap Connect. You will get a series of Progress boxes: Initializing, Dialing, Signing on, Established. To double check that you are actually connected you can go to the Preferences pulldown menu, Option - View Log. Scroll down. It should show a Local IP address, a Gateway address and a couple of DNS addresses. (If any of these are 0.0.0.0 you aren't actually connected.) 

Good luck.

 

BTW - I have no idea what Pocket Link does, so you are on your own there.

[chazzz]

(In a related story) I, for one, am not terribly impressed with Verizon Wireless... I've been with them for a few years now, but am growing tired of their lack of staying closer to the cutting edge. Yes, they have a Thera PPC phone, but no BT phones yet. They do, however, have a BT headset which they are trying to push -- Go figure.

I called them about BT phones yesterday and the guy on the other end kept saying, "Well, the headset works with an adapter cable to plug into regular [non-BT] phones." I finally had to say, "Listen: I don't care about the BT headset. I need to know if you have any BT-enabled phones right now." After about five minutes of being on hold, he came back and said, "No, we don't have any... no, we're not sure when we'll be getting any."

Welcome to the wonderful world of high technology. :(

[swinter]

Originally posted by chazzz
(In a related story) I, for one, am not terribly impressed with Verizon Wireless... I've been with them for a few years now, but am growing tired of their lack of staying closer to the cutting edge. Yes, they have a Thera PPC phone, but no BT phones yet. They do, however, have a BT headset which they are trying to push -- Go figure.

I called them about BT phones yesterday and the guy on the other end kept saying, "Well, the headset works with an adapter cable to plug into regular [non-BT] phones." I finally had to say, "Listen: I don't care about the BT headset. I need to know if you have any BT-enabled phones right now." After about five minutes of being on hold, he came back and said, "No, we don't have any... no, we're not sure when we'll be getting any."

Welcome to the wonderful world of high technology. :(

I started out with Verizon (using the Kyocera Smartphone) but switched to T-Mobile (then Voicestream) for Bluetooth and GPRS. At the time, even they didn't support any BT phones or Palm OS machines, but one could get a BT enabled phone with a T-Mobile SIM card from various web vendors. It took several months before GPRS worked reliably on the phone, and even longer on the CLIE. But they're both working now, and I'm a happy camper.

[bevoy]

Chazzz, I had a very similar experience with Verizon. The salesperson said they had a BT headset and when I asked futher questions I quickly realized he had no clue what BT was.

Needless to say they did not have any BT phones to offer.

[n2ifp]

Originally posted by chazzz
(In a related story) I, for one, am not terribly impressed with Verizon Wireless... I've been with them for a few years now, but am growing tired of their lack of staying closer to the cutting edge. Yes, they have a Thera PPC phone, but no BT phones yet. They do, however, have a BT headset which they are trying to push -- Go figure.

I called them about BT phones yesterday and the guy on the other end kept saying, "Well, the headset works with an adapter cable to plug into regular [non-BT] phones." I finally had to say, "Listen: I don't care about the BT headset. I need to know if you have any BT-enabled phones right now." After about five minutes of being on hold, he came back and said, "No, we don't have any... no, we're not sure when we'll be getting any."

Welcome to the wonderful world of high technology. :(

Yes, Verizon is like a big cautious slow moving elephant. Cutting edge technology they are not. A lot depends too on the approvals of all the 3 letter government agencies. In other words, they are slow, but sure!

[MeisterMan]

Bevoy, I had to contact T-mobile by e-mailing their support staff requesting the t68i. I got the e-mail back from them explaining that they do have them in stores now. Luckily, I got one for myself. Since I've also got a BT headset and the BT MS. It is great!!

See ya!

[rob_squared]

I talked to a Verizon rep, they said that they will have BT phones "soon". Most likely that means before the end of the year.

[Baker1369]

AT&T has a Nokia model 6310i that is bt and built like a tank. It is a great phone. (GSM)

[Convert]

Originally posted by Baker1369
AT&T has a Nokia model 6310i that is bt and built like a tank. It is a great phone. (GSM)

This is a much more stable phone than the T68i. I've heard nothing but problems about them, from users, and talking to sales reps at the stores regarding lots of returned T68i for bad reception or simply the phone just crashed.

I've had nothing but good experiences with the Nokia. Eventhough it isn't color (a plus because it doesn't drain the battery) it is black and white vs. monochrome.

[swinter]

Originally posted by Convert


This is a much more stable phone than the T68i. I've heard nothing but problems about them, from users, and talking to sales reps at the stores regarding lots of returned T68i for bad reception or simply the phone just crashed. 

Sorry to hear that, especially since I've had such great experience with the T39 for the last year. I noticed that expansys has stopped carrying the T39, which it lists as "discontinued" (though the phone is still on the Sony Ericsson site). But one can still find it at a good price here:

http://www.1800mobiles.com/ert3un.html

[Convert]

Originally posted by swinter


Sorry to hear that, especially since I've had such great experience with the T39 for the last year. I noticed that expansys has stopped carrying the T39, which it lists as "discontinued" (though the phone is still on the Sony Ericsson site). But one can still find it at a good price here:

http://www.1800mobiles.com/ert3un.html

 

Does the T39 have IR?

[ClieKing]

Originally posted by Convert


 

Does the T39 have IR?

I done think so but Iam not sure I could be mistaken ...:confused:

[ClieMD]

Does anyone know if Sprint will make a Bluetooth Cell Phone?

[big_raji]

Originally posted by Convert


 

Does the T39 have IR?

Yes. IR was all I used with my NR70v for almost a year until I picked up a Tungsten.

[swinter]

Originally posted by Convert


 

Does the T39 have IR?

 

Yes. It has both IR and BT. I used the former to connect to my CLIE until I was able to get the BT MS from Brando.

[Warubozu]

Originally posted by ClieMD
Does anyone know if Sprint will make a Bluetooth Cell Phone?

I also would like to know if Sprint is going to get any Bluetooth phones. I've had Sprint PCS for years and have a very good plan with them. If I changed to TMobile I'd lose out on a great plan. Anyone know if and when Sprint will get some?

[bevoy]

Thanks for everyone's help in this thread. I got a T68i over the weekend from T-Mobile and have found it to be a great phone. The features it offers are unmatched on any phone I have seen offered in the U.S.

The key selling points for me on this phone were the integrated Bluetooth and secondarily the IR port. Hopefully providers in the U.S. will begin offering more BT phones, but for now this is a solid phone.

[rsoussan]

A question about your t-68

I asked t-mobile and they said the internet plans when you use your phone as a modem are different the the text and email plans when you use your phone. (translation.. more expensive)
I was wondering if anyone knew if you could check your email on the t68i then sync it with an email app on the clie using BT?
this would save you the extra internet subscription!

Rony

[rob_squared]

As for sprint, you might be able to pick up an unbranded or unlocked cell phone and tell them to add it to your service. I know that you can do it with Verizon.

[inertia memphis]

Any other T61d users here (with DBA-10 BT adapter).

I can acess the internet and recieve email of any size, but only send email of just a few k in size. (like less than 10) or phone turns off and back on.

I have Cingular phone service and dial up to Earthlink as my ISP.

I'm interested to see if anyone has same or very similar setup with this probelm. I think the probelm is with Cingular, I'm working with them to resolve it. Maybe I can get them to cancel my contract or give me T68, although to be honest I really like that my phone is dual band for better coverage as old fashion cell phone. There is a newer T62U which is TDMA and GSM and still dual band but oddly looks like may not be BT compatable (or SonyEricsson just does not list this as they no longer make adapter, I could not get answer out of them)

[ClieT615]

Could someone please instruct me, or poiint to some instructions, for setting up my Clie TG50 to use my t68i to use my dial-up ISP? Here's what I've done so far:

http://www.cliesource.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9940

I can get teh phone to start dialing, but it hangs up after 1-3 seconds. After a couple of tries, the TG50 reports that no carrier was detected. But if I just dial the same number manually (like a voice call), I get the "modem sounds".

[swinter]

Originally posted by ClieT615
Could someone please instruct me, or poiint to some instructions, for setting up my Clie TG50 to use my t68i to use my dial-up ISP? Here's what I've done so far:

http://www.cliesource.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9940

I can get teh phone to start dialing, but it hangs up after 1-3 seconds. After a couple of tries, the TG50 reports that no carrier was detected. But if I just dial the same number manually (like a voice call), I get the "modem sounds".

I think that one problem may be that you should not have created a data comm file on the phone. I use dial up from my T615 to my T39 as backup to the GPRS connection. The phone is not configured in any way for that. Look at my previous post in this thread and start from Paragraph 3. In Paragraph 4, instead of the *99***2# just use the regular dial up phone number for Earthlink. (You may want to drop the 1 -- unless you dial 1 before all long distance calls on Cingular: I don't on T-Mobile.) You should be able to connect -- though you will still get some occasional "no carrier detected" failures.

Let us know if that helps.

And, BTW, how do you like the TG50?

[Stevo4517]

I purchased the Sony Ericcson R52m off of expansys.com for only $99.00. It was a one or two day special. The phone was voted phone of the year in 2001 or 2002. It's still only $125 or so on expansys. It has a ton of features!!!!

[buckethead]

Stevo4517: you're talking about the R520m by Ericsson. (at that time they've not merged yet with Sony). :)

But i agree, it is a kick-*** phone. A little too big in size by today standard, but the really slim design makes up for it. My favourite feature on that phone (bside the BT function) is the motion sensor.

Too bad most shops in my country have discontinued selling this classic model.

[buckethead]

Originally posted by Baker1369
AT&T has a Nokia model 6310i that is bt and built like a tank. It is a great phone. (GSM)

i'm not sure about this, but if i'm not mistaken most nokia's BT phone does not support BT headset which is a bummer imo.

It's a fact though that even the 7650 model does not support BT headset.