Any EVDO phones compatible with Mac OSX?

dmf · EVDO Newbie Joined: 01 Jul 2005 Posts: 10

Are there any EVDO phones that are able to be used as a USB modem on a Mac Powerbook? I have been using the Verizon XV6600 and my contract is eligible for an upgrade. Although I have been mostly happy with this phone I have been extremely unhappy with the fact that I can't take advantage of it's EVDO feature on my Mac. I have been thinking about upgrading to an aircard for the EVDO speeds but would prefer a thethered phone solution. I purposely waited until after CES just to make sure that nothing completely amazing was being released that I would have to wait for. The only thing I saw that may be worth waiting for is the new Motorola Q since Apple seems to support the majority of their phones but a release date wasn't mentioned. My company has accounts with both Sprint and Verizon so I am not just limited to a Verizon phone.

Also another thought, with today's introduction of the new Macbook with intel chips, does this open up more avenues for USB modem support on Macs?

Dave

carlhancock · EVDO Newbie Joined: 10 Jan 2006 Posts: 2

I'm in the same boat and completley frustrated. Apparently none of the phones with EVDO support can be tethered to an OSX laptop... and to make matters worse the new MacBook Pro intel based Mac does NOT have a PCcard slot (it has an ExpressCard/34 slot) so you can't use the aircard with it!

In effect.. YOU CAN'T GET EVDO ON THE NEW MACBOOK PRO.

I've been waiting for the new intel apple machines to come out to make the switch to the Mac (i'm currently a Windows user), and have been waiting to make the switch to EVDO at the same time and now I find out I can't!

I'm frustrated with both Verizon for not having any phones that support the Mac... and at Apple for removing the PCcard slot in favor of ExpressCard technology when no EVDO expresscard's are currently on the market.

Gods way of freaking with me I guess.

headcase · Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 11:24 pm Post subject:

So if the question is "Are there any EVDO phones that work with a Mac (tethering)?", the answer is yes.

Check out SprintUsers.com, and you'll see lots of tips on how set up your Mac with an EVDO phone (tethering via USB cable or Bluetooth). And given Sprint allows this under their Terms of Service (provided you buy the right, errr... expensive tethering plan), it's apparent they are much more supportive than Verizon, who:

a) clearly is getting more integrated with Mircrosoft (which usually means bad news for us Mac users), eg:
http://news.com.com/2100-1039_3-6024852.html

b) states clearly in their Terms of Service that tethering with their phones is not permitted.

and a "by the way" c) tends to criple Bluetooth capabilities of their phones

So until Cingular has decent 3G coverage & phone selection, looks like Sprint is the only 3G mobile dance partner for MacBook Pros (via tethering), until Verizon/Sprint/Cingular offer 3G mobile ExpressCards.

Michael · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2006 9:00 am Post subject:

The MacBook Pro is probably at least 1-2 months from being available. Lets see what options are available in the next 1-2 months.

An EVDO phone may be OK for some but not for all. It would save you $$, vs having 2 plans, BUT:

- you cannot be on the phone and internet at the same time (kind of like years ago, when people had dial-up connections and someone tried to call them and their phone was busy - same issue here - if you are on the net, nobody can call you on the cell and you cannot call out either). This may be a deal breaker for most.

- BlueTooth is easier to tether vs. direct USB. Not all phones work on Mac via USB and need a driver. You are not going to find drivers available from Sprint (or Verizon) for Mac use. So, that limits you to BlueTooth. BlueTooth 1.0 has a limit of around 140K maximum transfer rate, so even if you are in a 700Kbps area, the BlueTooth solution will only get you 140Kbps (which MAY be find for some, but not for most).

For Mac support, Verizon current supports 1 card (Kyocera KPC65) and Sprint supports zero. Verizon will soon be supporting a 2nd card for Mac use and Sprint will be supporting zero. From a Mac support point of view, Verizon wins. I know that Sprint is working on Mac support, but I prefer dealing with what is available today.

There will be solutions for the MacBook Pro and EVDO (not talking about the Kyocera KR1 either).

So sit tight and let the dust settle.
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headcase · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2006 3:24 pm Post subject:

Remember Michael, this thread is asking about Mac-compatible EVDO phones, and that is why I stated that Sprint is much more compatible and supportive (if I dare use such a word) than Verizon, in this regard. For example, there is a SprintPCS driver on Mac OS X today for Sprint phones, and people have tethered an EVDO phone to the Mac via USB and BT.

But to your point, I prefer an EVDO card for convenience, performance, and not having to rely on the same device for phone calls & Internet access. In fact, I use a Verizon card (the 650) for access when traveling.

But like I said, from a Mac-to-Phone tehtering perspective, I hold out zero hope for Verizon supporting the Mac, given they don't even like you doing it with a PC.

carlhancock · EVDO Newbie Joined: 10 Jan 2006 Posts: 2

headcase · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2006 4:59 pm Post subject:

Ahhh, then I guess their marketing material directly conflicts with Item #1 of their Terms of Service (last revised 1/6/06):

Unlimited PDA/Smartphone and BlackBerry® Plans:
?Data sessions may be used for following purposes: (i) Internet browsing; (ii) email; and (iii) intranet access (including access to corporate intranets, email and individual productivity applications like customer relationship management, sales force and field service automation. Intranet access requires the BlackBerry Enterprise Server.). Unlimited plans are for individual use only and not for resale. The Unlimited plans cannot be used: (1) for any applications that tether the device to laptops, PCs, or other equipment for any purpose, (2) for uploading, downloading or streaming of movies, music or games, (3) with server devices or with host computer applications other than the BlackBerry Enterprise Server, including, without limitation, Web camera posts or broadcasts, continuous jpeg file transfers, automatic data feeds, telemetry applications, automated functions or any other ?machine-to-machine applications, (4) as substitute or backup for private lines or dedicated data connections.

And even if tethering with the Blackberry is the exception, it's the ONLY phone you can do this on Verizon -- that I see as "not very supportive of tethering" on their network, Mac, PC, or otherwise. Perhaps Verizon will someday "get it" later down the road, but for now, not much to get excited about.

My 2 cents.