BT cellphone + iBook = modem?

[B Gallagher]

Hey all,
This is a question out for anyone who knows much about BlueTooth - I'm going to get a BT-enabled iBook before I head over to Japan in October this year. I'm also going to pick up a cellphone in Japan.

Can anyone suggest any good BT-enabled cellphones? I want to be able to connect to the internet on my iBook through the BT connection between the iBook and the cellphone - any suggestions?

Thanks.

[FG Lurker]

Hey all,
This is a question out for anyone who knows much about BlueTooth - I'm going to get a BT-enabled iBook before I head over to Japan in October this year. I'm also going to pick up a cellphone in Japan.

Can anyone suggest any good BT-enabled cellphones? I want to be able to connect to the internet on my iBook through the BT connection between the iBook and the cellphone - any suggestions?

Thanks.

The 3G Vodafone handsets by Sharp, Nokia, and Sony have Bluetooth support. The NEC and Motorola sets do *not*! I imagine Docomo also has some BT-enabled stuff but I am not familiar with their product line.

Vodafone also offers a PC-card with OS X support that has 384Kbps data rates with various plans. You might find that a cheaper alternative to paying for packets with the phone... Or maybe not. You'll need to check it out in person. Be prepared though -- cell rates are EXPENSIVE here. No, not "expensive". E-X-P-E-N-S-I-V-E. There are lots of free hotspots around though, you might be better off going that way instead.

Good luck!

[Caustic Saint]

Get a BT keitai if you want, but don't bother with using that to get online.

Just get an Airport Express card in your iBook and you'll find all sorts of free net access waiting for you.

[Charles]

Just get an Airport Express card in your iBook and you'll find all sorts of free net access waiting for you.

It's my understanding that all iBooks now come with Airport, no extra charge.

But if you're spec-ing out an iBook for purchase, you better wait a bit. The rumor mill says that new iBook revisions are coming within a couple of weeks, with updated Bluetooth 2 options and a speed bump.

[Caustic Saint]

Just get an Airport Express card in your iBook and you'll find all sorts of free net access waiting for you.

It's my understanding that all iBooks now come with Airport, no extra charge.

But if you're spec-ing out an iBook for purchase, you better wait a bit. The rumor mill says that new iBook revisions are coming within a couple of weeks, with updated Bluetooth 2 options and a speed bump.

Nice that they include it now, what with all the wifi pimping they're doing. (Pity they weren't giving it away last year when I got mine... )

They really need to update the PowerBooks. The 12" PB doesn't have much to offer over the 12" iBook. $1124 (after upgrading the HD and adding BT) vs. $1599 and the only differences are the case material, 32MB of VRAM and a mini-DVI port? Oh, and .13GHz and DDR333 RAM as opposed to DDR266 in the iBook. How's that worth $475 again?