There have been a lot of questions about the BlackBerry modem solution that claimed my bounty. I’ll try to answer them below. Please note, this information is current as of writing and may change before a public release of the solution, etc.
- When will this be released?
- As with all software, date estimates can get blown up by various things - but here are some guesses. A version should be available to the bounty contributors within 2 weeks or so. A general public release will happen this year, likely in about a month or so.
- Can I still contribute to the bounty?
- No, the bounty is closed. If you didn’t contribute to help create the solution, you can’t jump in now and reap the benefits along with those who did. You have to wait for the general release.
- How do you connect the BlackBerry to the laptop?
- The BlackBerry is connected to the laptop via Bluetooth (no USB cable). The solution creates a Bluetooth modem profile on the BlackBerry, which is present when you pair the laptop and the BlackBerry.
- Will this work on Windows?
- Yes, it works on Windows as well.
- Will this work on Linux?
- It should, it is basically a standard Bluetooth modem. Of course, Linux users know that Bluetooth can be a bit of a challenge at times so no promises there.
- Does it give you a direct connection to the internet?
- Like other mobile apps like Verichat, this will use a proxy server. The proxy server will be open source.
- How fast is the connection?
- There have not been any performance optimizations yet, so at the moment it isn’t as fast as it will be. The theoretical limit is 110k, which is what the Bluetooth connection speed is set to.
- Will this be a commercial product?
- Yes, this will be a commercial product.
- Will there be a free trial?
- Yes, there will be a time/number of uses limited free trial.
- How much will it cost?
- The pricing will be $50/license. A pre-order will be available for $25/license.
- Can I run my own proxy server?
- Yes, the license will include your own proxy server (that can run on a Linux server as a daemon).
- Will there be a proxy server I can sign up for?
- Yes. If you don’t want to set up your own proxy server, there will be a service you can sign up for. The cost for this will be around $4/month or $40/year. Corporate accounts will also be available.
- Will BlackBerrys other than the 870* series be supported?
- Yes, it is already being tested on the 7290 and other models will be supported as well. Sorry, no list of models at this time, but the goal is to work with all Bluetooth models.
UPDATE: There is now an updated version of this FAQ and Pre-order option on the Brain Murmurs web site.
Popularity: 9% [?]
stephen o'grady adds this Comment:
“It should, it is basically a standard Bluetooth modem. Of course, Linux users know that Bluetooth can be a bit of a challenge at times so no promises there.”
if i can get my UMTS phone working as a modem, anybody can do it.
October 17th, 2006 at 11:28 pm
mario librandi adds this Comment:
I would have contributed to the bounty had I found this sooner. When can we preorder?
October 18th, 2006 at 9:03 am
Everett Vinzant adds this Comment:
I don’t know if I should be happy or mad. Mad because I tried to figure out how to contribute a couple hundred dollars and was ignored, mad because I now get to wait another year even though I would still contribute, or happy that it’s occuring at all.
October 18th, 2006 at 2:11 pm
Everett Vinzant adds this Comment:
Eating crow:
Er after spend a few minutes reviewing how to read, Elated that the wait will only be a month not a year…
October 18th, 2006 at 2:12 pm
Alex adds this Comment:
As far as I know, this is the first time I’ve ever heard from you… were the instructions to contribute not clear? Lots of other folks seemed to have no problem making a contribution.
October 18th, 2006 at 2:14 pm
Daniel Pasco adds this Comment:
Hello Mario,
You can preorder at our website at http://www.brainmurm[...]ts/pulse.php
October 18th, 2006 at 5:07 pm
Azin Mehrnoosh adds this Comment:
cheers to Alex for keeping the hope alive, and thanks to Brain Murmurs for hopping on this!
October 18th, 2006 at 7:52 pm
Jason F adds this Comment:
Good try, but I feel that the real solution would NOT require a proxy server.
When you connect up on Windows with USB cable, you connect directly to the internet.
While I do not discount the work done, I do not feel this is a solution.
October 19th, 2006 at 12:11 pm
Corey adds this Comment:
Anyone know if this work tethering with a USB cable as well? Hopefully Daniel is still lurking…
October 20th, 2006 at 12:32 pm
Adrian adds this Comment:
Could someone please confirm (at some point) that this will also work with the Blackberry 7130e…? I would like to pre-order, but only when it is proven to work with that model…thanks!
October 21st, 2006 at 4:21 pm
Ezra Primack adds this Comment:
Alex,
Excellent work in organizing this. As a recent Treo 650™ to Blackberry™ convert I just found out about your project yesterday. We are eagerly awaiting a a public release of your project as my agency is almost 100% Mac based.
I just have one concern. I read that the only connection protocol you are supporting is Bluetooth™. The EV-DO networks that the 87xx works with have an average bandwidth of 400-700kbs and some users on Verizons™ network have reported sustained speeds of almost 1mbps. Bluetooth™ has a maximum data rate of 110kbs and seems like it could be a bottleneck.
When I use my current Edge data provider I always get faster speeds when using USB on my Macbook™ -vs- using Bluetooth™. Will USB, be an option or is this not a concern as you have already solved this bandwidth limitation somehow?
November 5th, 2006 at 10:17 am
Ezra Primack adds this Comment:
Hello again…
Any info on my previous post?
Respectfully submitted,
-e
November 6th, 2006 at 8:16 pm
Ezra Primack adds this Comment:
Has there been a significant decline in the enthusiasm of this project. I guess attention demands novelty. Any response to my last two posts?
November 7th, 2006 at 9:59 am
Alex adds this Comment:
Ezra, your question is already answered in the FAQ to the best of my ability.
November 7th, 2006 at 10:02 am
Daniel Pasco adds this Comment:
We’re adding USB support over the next month. You can find out more here http://brainmurmurs.com
-Daniel
November 19th, 2006 at 4:43 pm
Daniel Greed adds this Comment:
it seems that daniel pasco has failed the community in this project. he started off by solving a problem, and then was overcome with greed. he is trying to capitalize on this opportunity financially, which is simply pathetic. the solution does NOT allow access to the internet via your blackberry without the use of a Proxy server. this is NOT the same as connecting through bootcamp or parallels for free (granted you have an unlimited data plan). please add me to the list of persons who will NEVER support people who are driven by greed… and i’m sure i’m not the only one with this perspective.
February 2nd, 2007 at 8:17 am
Scott adds this Comment:
I agree with the above comment. This is not a solution it is a hack. It might be a good hack but a hack all the same. We already have a hack… (load windows). A solution requires simplicity and pushing data through a proxy is not simplicity it is antiquated. I respect the work that must have gone into this solution, but I for one don’t see it being worth $50.00 as a hack.
February 9th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
Gite adds this Comment:
Wow, what a huge letdown. Pasco never released this to the community, took the bounty, it’s a proxy-based hack. This is pathetic. Alex, you should get a refund and return the $600+ to all those who contributed. Very poor show boys.
July 21st, 2007 at 8:46 pm