[Xyxyll]

Tonight while working through my dad's new Verizon XV6800 (HTC Mogul), I came across this interesting feature of Windows Mobile devices (using ActiveSync with computer), which allows a user to access the internet on the phone "through" the computer's internet connection. In essence, this feature is Wifi with a shorter leash (Bluetooth range). I immediately had to know whether there was a BlackBerry version of this feature. I did my searching and discovered that while users had placed interest and inquired (both on the forums and off), the rather disgusting response from everyone else was simply "use the search... no." Nowhere was there any legitimate discussion as to whether or not this is even feasible to develop.

Now, lets look at what we have here. We already know that a computer can tether to a BlackBerry as a modem... both through USB and Bluetooth. We also know that a computer can receive internet feeds directly through the phone's normal internet without tethering (Mobishark's SharkModem application). With this kind of connectivity already in place, it seems logical that an application, if not already available, could be developed to place broadband internet in the hands of any BlackBerry.


Your thoughts?

[TroyDBrown]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8320/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

As great as it sounds I never really liked that feature on my Windows Mobile Device. If I have a laptop in front of me I would rather use it than a pass through connection. I think this could be acheived but RIM for sure would have to be involved.

[Xyxyll]

I can certainly understand that point of view and even pondered it myself before my initial post, but I can see many positive uses of the feature. In my case, my home location, while located in an EVDO-supported region, has little to no reception unless I walk outside to the street, and my school location is misfortuned by a lack of EVDO network. If trying to use the phone's browser capabilities (OTA downloads for example), I frequently find myself waiting considerably longer than I would directly connected to my local LAN. Also, with Bluetooth amplifiers extending the ranges of Bluetooth networks, one could theoretically be outside on the porch grilling, forget which spices you were supposed to apply to the beef, quickly bring up the recipe with your "blue" Wifi, and save the day (Poor example, I know, but you get the point. ).

[rambo47]

I don't see the purpose of an app like that. If I'm near a computer and want to use the internet then the computer is what I'll use. Why would I eschew my computer's larger screen and keyboard to use a tiny Blackberry?

[AlexKidd]

Other posters are correct, there is no way to use a computer's connection from the BlackBerry. I do believe they do it this way for security reasons - the data going back and forth with RIM servers could be a lot more easily tampered with by hackers.

I also have a Windows Mobile phone - the HTC TyTN and it does work as you state where it can use the much faster connection of the desktop once linked up with ActiveSync. To me, this really only has one big benefit and that's to help with the initial sync of a large mailbox when you start syncing folders. A BlackBerry would take longer on a BES connection, but after that all changed are pushed real-time and you hardly notice any delay.

I can also see an additional benefit for users who are on a pay-per-use data model. Obviously it would be nice to eliminate that cost of an initial sync there as well. It returns back to the security issue though.

--Kidd