If, like me, you found your new Treo 700p to be AWESOME, except for the $39.99 or $49.99 ADDITIONAL monthly charge to actually USE the Bluetooth DUN feature (that wasn’t mentioned ANYWHERE in the marketing that I saw) so that you can hook up your laptop to it and surf the internet using your phone as a connection, (which I only found out about by calling support and asking why using DUN wasn’t working) then you will probably be VERY interested in this handy $24.95 application from Mobile Stream:
USB Modem allows you to use Treo 600, Treo 650 and Treo 700p smartphones as a USB modem for connecting a desktop or notebook computer to Internet. To surf the Internet from your PC you will need only a USB cable and a Treo with GPRS/EDGE service or CDMA 1x/EvDO data plan.
Features
* Support for Treo 600, Treo 650 and Treo 700p smartphones
* Support for Windows XP, Windows 2000, Mac OS X and Linux operating systems
* Support for USB and Bluetooth connectivity
* Support for background mode so it is possible to make outgoing voice calls or perform other activity on the Treo without disabling the modem mode
* Support for Fax modem operation
* Small memory footprint (30 KB)
I couldn’t get the Bluetooth connectivity option to work. The USB connection option seems to do the trick however. I’m now able to use my phone now exactly as I wanted to without paying the extra EVDO connection fees (hopefully).
Also, I found a bug where if you have Menu Meters installed and the Bluetooth indicator in the menubar as well Menu Meters keeps on restarting while you are connected. If you turn off display of the Bluetooth icon then everything is fine.
Hopefully this won’t get shut down, since it basically enables exactly what you want — internet access on your laptop (in my case a Mac OS X G4 Powerbook) using EVDO speeds.
Directions:
- First, download the trial of the USB Modem software to make sure this will all work for you.
- Follow the User Guide instructions to configure your laptop, and install the USB Modem .prc onto your Treo 700p.
- Go to Prefs, click on Networking. Make sure that you are currently disconnected. Otherwise the USB modem won’t work.
- Click on the USB Modem application
- Click the Enable Modem Mode button. Leave the Connectivity method set to USB, and the Background mode set to checked.
- Under OS X, open Internet Connect application, and select the Treo 700 USB Modem option. You should see #777 in the Telphone Number, leave everything else blank.
- Click Connect.
- You should see it saying Contacting PPP Server… then Authenticating, then Connected.
- Use the internet on your laptop to check your email, ssh, surf the web, instant messenger, whatever
- When you’re done using the internet, click Disconnect in Internet Connect, then click the Disable Modem Mode in USB Modem. If you don’t do this, the next time you try to sync using the USB cable you will get an error message stating that the connection is already in use.
- Enjoy super-fast EVDO speeds on your laptop wherever you go…!!!
I did find that occasionally you will need to turn the phone off and then back on again to reset the internal networking features after you’ve used it as a modem.
I purchased the software since it seems like exactly what I need, and I’d encourage you to do the same. Also, I haven’t gotten my first bill with the new phone yet, so I’m not 100% certain that there won’t still be a charge for using the phone as a modem. But you may as well give it a shot.
I’ll update this post if I see anything on my next bill — I don’t expect to be using the phone as a modem all the time since I’m usually in the vicinity of a WiFi connection.
Update 1: I haven’t seen any additional charges on my bill, so this looks like a pretty great solution.
Update 2: Warning: please see comment #23 below for a problem that David had with this where it “fried” his hard drive. I’m not sure exactly what happened, but please use caution when following these instructions. I haven’t had any problems with it at all, but you may want to backup your hard drive before you proceed.
Update 3: – Jan 28, 2008 – Note: it appears that Sprint / Nextel has changed their terms and conditions to specifically exclude using workarounds like this. Here is the exact text of their current T&C as it applies (emphasis added):
Vision/Power Vision: Services are not available with all Sprint phones. Usage is calculated on a per kilobyte basis and is rounded up to the next whole kilobyte. Rounding occurs at the end of each session or each clock hour and, at which time we deduct accumulated usage from your plan, or assess overage or casual usage charges. You are responsible for all data activity from and to your phone, regardless of who initiates the activity. Estimates of data usage will vary from actual use. Your invoice will not separately identify the number of kilobytes attributable to your use of specific sites, sessions or services used. Premium content (games, ringers, etc.) priced separately. Services are not available for use in connection with server devices or host computer applications, other systems that drive continuous heavy traffic or data sessions, or as substitutes for private lines or frame relay connections. Except with phone-as-modem plans, you may not use a phone (including a Bluetooth phone) on a plan with unlimited Vision/Power Vision as a modem in connection with a computer, PDA, or similar device. We reserve the right to deny or terminate service without notice for any misuse. Availability of downloadable or streaming content is subject to change.
You can read my response below, but basically I think they’re shooting themselves in the foot here. I haven’t heard anything from them about this, and probably they’ll only use that T&C to address specific problem usage (for them) where they have a customer using too much of their “unlimited” data plan. I don’t think it’s a real great strategy to tell some of your most fanatical customers and fans that they are basically screwed. Because heres the thing: we have options, some great ones. It’s probably time to look at shopping for a different carrier if you care about regular computer usage without having to pay their extortionate fees for using your computer with this phone as a modem.
206 responses to “How-to: Use your shiny new Treo 700p as a USB Modem for your laptop and get super-fast Sprint EVDO speeds”
The USB sync cable supplied with the Palm Treo 700p IS a sync/charge cable AND the USB cable you need for modem use.
Good luck!
I tried doing everything. I just got a mac today and I was using PDAnet, I am finding that it is not compatible with the mac os. What am I can not find out how to configure my network or connection either for myh phone or my laptop. Please help.
Can you use the treo 700P phone as a modem to play games such as World of Warcraft? Ive tried and all ti does is sit there saying connecting but nothing happens. When I exit the window however it works but when I return to the game it stops again.
I know that it was mentioned above that phone calls will still come through when using the Treo as a modem. I am pretty sure that this is only true if you are on an EVDO network. If you are in an area that does not have EVDO then the phone and network connection do not work at the same time.
I have a Verizon Treo 700p with unlimited EVDO package and a new Intel Macbook Pro. I googled several instructions on how to use bluetooth to connect to the internet on my Treo’s EVDO service. First I installed this Verizon PC 5220 Card update http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/verizonbroadbandaccesssupport.html
Then I followed the instructions at this site http://theonda.org/articles/2006/06/12/the-fastest-way-to-get-a-macbook-pro-on-the-verizon-evdo-network-with-a-treo-700p
Although most other guides state you do not need to complete the username/password on the Mac during the setup, I found it was critical to getting it to work. However the connection could often not be maintained more than a 10-15 minutes and trying to reconnect often took several dials (and sometimes a soft Treo reset or restart on the MBP. Someone suggested a fix for this for his Sprint 700p here http://vocaro.com/trevor/treo-dun/#verizon
I don’t know if it will work for Verizon but I’m going to try it.
Hi,
I downloaded the trial version of your software.
I have a 700p. I am using a Mac Core2Duo. The cable works but the bluetooth does not.
I don’t want to use the cable as it is another item to pack around with me.
Any suggestions how to get the bluetooth to work? I have 26 more tries with the software before it expires. I would at least like to have it work for bluetooth.
Regards,
David
Hi,
I downloaded the trial version of your software.
I have a 700p. I am using a Mac Core2Duo. The cable works but the bluetooth does not.
I don’t want to use the cable as it is another item to pack around with me.
Any suggestions how to get the bluetooth to work? I have 26 more tries with the software before it expires. I would at least like to have it work for bluetooth.
when I try to enter the image id to send this comment, I don’t see anything.
Regards,
David
I have a HP lab top and for the life of me i cant get the USB Modem program to work with my Treo 700p, Ive tried everything I download the connection program from Sprint and i have USB modem on my phone What am i Missing any HELP!!!!Do i do a manual connection please HELP
Should have my sprint 700p waiting for me at home today.
I got a new sprint plan and managed to get the phone for free….YAY
I still have my cingular treo 650 GSM….Always had problems with DUN…..it was just shity.
End my plan last month so I am really hoping this is the ticket…:)
Works great. For Mac Users you must select WWAN Support for your modem I haveVerizonwireless
Worked great for me. Had to install palm desktop on computer first…but then it worked. Very cool.
I download software. I have install it on my 700p and i can see the usb modem application but I did not get the softare for my Windows PC. can you please send me hat file.
Thanks
Tim C
I downloaded the trial version of this last night and I got it to work great the first time. However, every other time I get booted off (apparently on the mac end) after only a few minutes. Any ideas?
Jack
I downloaded the trial version of this last night and I got it to work great the first time. However, every other time I get booted off (apparently on the mac end) after only a few minutes. Any ideas?
Jack
Gabriel,
I have not seen any comments from you in a
while concerning using your Palm 700P as a
modem with the Mobil Stream software
Have you received any extra charges up to this
point when using your Treo as a modem?
Please give me an update.
Also, did you ever find out why David fried his Macbook, I am referring to his August 1,
2006 comment. How could that happen?
I have a 700P and Sprint.
Thank you,
Gerhard
Wow.
This is great.
Jack, I had the same problem, but I just turned the phone off and on and it worked again.
Hal
I have received a bill since starting to use this product and have not seen any additional charges. I will keep an eye on the next couple of bills as well. I used it extensively during a trip in February so I would have expected to see extra charges already if they were going to be coming. I am watching closely though.
Frank
I just intalled the trial version & it works great.. i will try it till trial finishes before i will purchase to make sure i do not get charged,,, will keep everyone updated
I installed USB Modem on Treo680. After select USB as Connetivity method and check Background mode, tap Enable Modem Mode has no response. I think the button should be changed to Disable Modem Mode. BTW, if Bluetooth selected instead of USB, it’s ok. Could someone give me any clue?
i just installed usb modem trial on treo 700p with verizon… all i can say is WOW!!!!!!! i installed it in about 5 mins tops and it works GREAT and really fast! no problems with install. my connection speed was 961kps!!! the max is 1000kps i believe. i’m REALLY excited about this ability! thanks!
Just an update, I’ve still had zero problems with this software and have continued to enjoy being able to use my phone when I’m on the road for Internet access. I haven’t seen any additional charges for using this beyond the initial purchase of the software.
I’m glad to see people in this thread helping others to get their setup working.
My install went quick and easy, and this thing screams! However, in testing it on a pretty intensive online game, the Treo got pretty darn warm. Anybody else experiencing this, and is it dangerous?
Thanks
Hi Gabriel,
Thanks for this web site.
I have a 700p with Sprint and would love to have an interface such as this to be able to at least access the internet in remote places where there may not be Wi-Fi access.
Just wondering the latest if you know of anyone who has been charged by sprint???
Thanks
So apparently this works fine on the TreoP but has anyone been able to get this to work on the TreoWX. Im torn between Palm or Windows.
Thanks
Thanks for this… was at a skiing resort with no wifi access for the Macbook. The on-line banking does not like the Treo Blazer software. Used this tip to hook up the Treo 650… took about 1/2 an hour to get set up…. wife is happy to use her Macbook with my Treo now…even works in the car!!! I have a Treo 650 with a Cingular 19.95 data plan (unlimited). Do not waste your money on their more expensive “pda connect” $39.95 smart phone plan. Thanx again!!!
Oh one more thing… I used it to Skype my relatives overseas… IT WORKS!! … this is really cool.
THIS IS AMAZING!
I have two line on my Sprint that share the minutes and my Treo 700p has the vision plan and I use mac. I had gotten a free aircard but was paying $69.99 per month. It was too much for me to keep. So I returneed it and decided to google the Treo as modem and you guys came up. GOTTA LOVE GOOGLE!
Downloaded the trial tonight, installed it with some minor tweaking on the modem to set it as a Sprint Vision account and WHALLA! Works like a charm and as fast as their $69.99 plan. I am on the trial version of the software but will buy it tomorrow or the next day.
Who ever has a Treo can get this working very well. Seido makes a cable that is USB and powers and syncs the Treo to your machine.
For Sprint customers you can get a second line for free to share the minutes. Put Vision on the second line and for $15 and pay for the phone and your good to go.
Make sure you tag show modem in menu bar and make sure you rename the modem name to 700p so you can access it. Turn off airport and you are good to go.
This really blows me away.
Gabriel thanks so much for this wonderful resource. Do you have a paypal donation page?
Richard
Has anyone applied the MR for the 700p yet? Does this still work after the ROM upgrade?
Wondering if it’s worth updating…thanks!
What is MR? I have not seen a ROM update listed on the PALM website.
Hopefully it is not a tweak for it not to work.
Please advise.
Gabriel – this is slick! USB connection works fine on both the Core 2 Duo MBP and on the PB G4 in combination with a Verizon (CDMA) 700p.
This is the end of $9.99 connection fees in American airports!
Works great lets see how my bill looks …
using windows XP
It works for me, got speed of 9XX.KB depending on the time and environment. By doing myspeed.coxinet.net, got 4XXkbps/57kbps. Thanks and will see if the bill changes.
Just installed the trial version, and after a few tweaks, connected my laptop via my Treo 700p to the internet!!! This is the holy grail I’ve been searching for.
My one question is: I have the powervision plus pack. Does Sprint charge for excessive bandwidth usage?
In other words, has anyone since using their treo 700p this way seen extra charges on their bill?
Just installed the trial version for my Treo 700p… 1MB per sec!
Ditto the last question. Has anyone seen extra charges on their Sprint bill?
Works great with USB and bluetooth with Verizon Treo 700p and Intel Mac.
I would like to send faxes from my Mac via the Treo, but I can not get it to work. Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks for the great posts!
Although this site is for Treos, Just to let you know that it works great with my MacBook Pro and Sprint Mogul (6800) phone. I had a little problem setting it up on the Mac but that is probably because I didn’t read the instructions very well.
So I have Verizon and a Mac and I can get everything to work correctly, but I get kicked off after a few minutes of letting the connection go idle. Therefore I usually can’t even type an email before I have to reconnect.
I’ve seen that a few people have had this problem, but no one has responded with a solution yet. Any ideas?
Thanks.
So I have Verizon and a Mac and I can get everything to work correctly, but I get kicked off after a few minutes of letting the connection go idle. Therefore I usually can’t even type an email before I have to reconnect.
I’ve seen that a few people have had this problem, but no one has responded with a solution yet. Any ideas?
Thanks.
So I have Verizon and a Mac and I can get everything to work correctly, but I get kicked off after a few minutes of letting the connection go idle. Therefore I usually can’t even type an email before I have to reconnect.
I’ve seen that a few people have had this problem, but no one has responded with a solution yet. Any ideas?
Thanks.
I use PDANET with a 700P and it works absolutely perfectly. I checked off “remain connected on exit” and I wasn’t sure if that would cause me problems so now I uncheck it when I’m done with my workday.
I used to use PDANET and it worked perfectly before.But after I applied the latest Sprint 700p MR, it got disconnected frequently. Does anyone have the same experience? I doubt Sprint has added some code in MR to check whether you use the phone as a modem if you don’t pay the $40 monthly charge.
I downloaded the software yesterday. I cant beleive how well it works. The only issue now is that my Internet Explorer tries to connect using the 700P. It won’t connect via my wi-fi network. How do I get this fixed. I am running into a brick wall on this.
This worked like a charm! Thanks so much, I originally planned on actually throwing down that $40 a month. Thankfully I found your web-site first!
I have a treo 700p, and use an XP laptop. I’ve been trying to install the software and got stuck. I downloaded the program usbmodem_retail.zip and a folder with four sub folders pops up: drivers, readme, USBModem and USBModem_UG. I added the USBModem file to my treo, installed it and activated it. A “found new hardware screen†pops up and I choose browse, as instructed in the guild, but can’t find the “divers
\windows folder in the unzipped USB Modem distribution.†Where on my computer would the drivers/windows folder be located and can I get there from Browse? I searched high and low on my computer and didn’t find it. Did I do something wrong when I downloaded the orginal usbmodem_retail.zip file?
Sprint has a new palm system update, v1.10 for the Treo700p. I currently use v1.08. I have no problems using the USB Modem with the older v1.08. Has anyone treid the new v1.10 Treo system update yet?
Also, I travel a lot. I was able to connect to the internet with my Treo 700p and MacBook using the cable or bluetooth while in a car on a New York freeway. And lastly, I have been able to connect with iChat, (Video and audio!!) with family members from across the country. This software works great!!! Just follow the manual closely. Read it 2 or 3 times to understand it.
Do not upgrade your Treo 700p to the new v1.10 as it will drop your tethering data access every 90 seconds which makes software like PDANET useless.
I have sprint version 1.10 and had no problems with it dropping the connection. I used it both tethered (which I just installed this morning) and bluetooth. Seems fine so far.
Greg
Does the new 1.10 update place any extra charges on Sprint bills? Does 1.10 let Sprint know that you are going through the backdoor with the USB Modem software?
Hey Greg,
Are you still using the new sprint upgrade to v1.10 without any problems? Is it worth it to do the system upgrade or has any one else found any problems upgrading and using usb modem?
What exactly does checking (or unchecking) Low latency (vs high throughput) do?