Using Your Laptop/Desktop's Modem With Your Pocket PC, Via Bluetooth

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=2368' target='_blank'>http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.a...?contentid=2368</a><br /><br /></div>"If you have a Bluetooth enabled laptop or desktop with a modem, using the dial-up service from your handheld can be easier than sharing an internet connection. One example: you're in a hotel room and want to use your Pocket PC, not the laptop, to connect to the internet. But you don't have a Bluetooth modem. With little configuration you can have use your laptop's modem plugged into the phone line and dial-up to your ISP via Bluetooth from your Pocket PC or Palm OS handheld. This way you can have an Internet connection on demand, from another point in your room without having a cord or without having to have your computer always connected to the internet."<br /><br />There's only one reason I can imagine that anyone would want to do this -- if you're traveling with a friend or spouse and they're using the laptop to do some work. Other than that, if I had a laptop handy, I'd just use <i>that</i>. ;) Nevertheless, it's a clever trick.

[jkendrick]

I actually do something similar when at client's offices but with a different twist. When I spend several hours at one site I always set up my laptop in a corner somewhere and connect to the internet via the Aircard to Verizon's Express Network.

Then through my BT card in the PPC while working at a work table I can share the internet connection and get pinged for email. It works well and impresses my clients. :)

[freitasm]

There's only one reason I can imagine that anyone would want to do this -- if you're traveling with a friend or spouse and they're using the laptop to do some work. Other than that, if I had a laptop handy, I'd just use that. ;) Nevertheless, it's a clever trick.

Or if your laptop gets too hot to have in your lap when you're in bed watching TV and just want to check e-mails or have MSN Messenger up... In this case is quite handy :wink:

[felixdd]

Umm...why on earth can you not just connect to the laptop via Activesync and surf via pass-through connection?

[Sven Johannsen]

Umm...why on earth can you not just connect to the laptop via Activesync and surf via pass-through connection?

You can, but for that to work you need to conect the laptop to the internet first. The point here is that you can initiate and terminate the dialup internet connection from the PPC. It essentially makes the laptop a big expensice BT modem.

[Howard2k]

I do this using ICS and Wifi.. Works great. Not something BT specific :)

[freitasm]

I do this using ICS and Wifi.. Works great. Not something BT specific :)

Hmmm. Let's say you don't have wi-fi available, and you want to use your Bluetooth enabled Pocket PC to connect to the internet, but:

1) you don't want cables
2) you want to be somewhere else not close to the phone adapter
3) you want to dial up on demand and hang up when finished
4) you don't have a Bluetooth modem or a Bluetooth mobile phone, but have a Bluetooth enabled laptop with built-in modem

And knowing that

a) ActiveSync will not dial-up on demand
b) Passthrough ActiveSync via cradle will require you to be close to the laptop and you'll have the cable tangling and you'll have to dial and disconnect manually.

And most importantly, W?BIC

[tccox]

My goodness , I thought this was one of then neatest things about Bluetooth when I first got my 2215. I only have a dial up ISP connection on my desktop at home. I can now dial up , surf the net and send and retrieve e-mail using my 2215 from anywhere in my house and most of my yard. I can also lay in bed late at night and dial up. I can surf the net and e-mail if my kids are using the desktop. Its sorta like having a home network but very very easy to set up and use. I did'nt consider this a "trick" but one of the neatest things about owning a BT PPC.....