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With This Tether "I Take Thee To Have" and To Use Everywhere!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with KGC Properties LLC, Tucson Property Management & Real Estate

Little did I know that for the past few years I had a couple of things around that could have made things a little easier in many situations with Buyers and Sellers - or even spending more time on Active Rain to read, search and comment.  (For many people who have smart phones - you've likely been doing this for a while now.  So this is geared toward the newbie or "basic-tools" only smart-phone user like myself.)

I've had a Blackberry Curve for a little while and love it! With the exception of a couple features- it's pretty simple for someone like me to use and set up.  The downside is that it takes me a while to learn one or two things the phone can do - and then I don't explore the rest!

Talking with a techy friend who has every phone, computer, gaming console, etc., known to man - we discussed my plight about last minute property searches and the difficulty of showing pictures to clients on the phone screen. 

Techy friend says to me, "You likely have interfacing capabilities with your Blackberry."  "I DO?"  "Yes, why don't you just tether it to your laptop?"  

Foreign Language.  Please speak English.

Translation:  make a phone call to your cell phone carrier tech support department and in about 5-10 minutes, they will walk you right through the process of configuring your laptop to use your cell phone as a modem. It's FREE and using it is SIMPLE! Just plug your phone into the laptop then connect to the Internet like you normally do!  And surf away!  And guess what else?  While using the phone as a modem - it's getting charged up at the same time!

Where can this come in handy?  Anywhere that you need (or want!) a computer and have phone service.  I feel like I struck gold!  Especially since I was considering buying a modem and service plan specifically for client-related situations! So if you have a smart-phone - call your carrier and get your phone and laptop

"married up"!

Here is my cell phone hitched to the laptop logging on to Active Rain!

One last bit of information -- there are some individuals - my dad included, who can't use cell phones because they wear hearing aids.  There is a newer phone (but has been around under another name) on the market called the Fuze.  It's overkill for me (and my dad), but it's a really high end smartphone that appears to be compatible with many hearing aids (but try it with your hearing aid first before you buy it!).  Just wanted to pass this information along in case you know of someone that could benefit from it!

 

Copyright Gabrielle (Kamahele) Rhind, protected by COPYSCAPE 2008. If you want to reprint parts of this - just email me for my permission rhindohana@msn.com . Buying or selling Tucson Real Estate? Click info@gabriellerhind.com and let me know how I can help you! 

Posted by

Buying or selling Tucson real estate, Mt Lemmon, Tucson bank-owned homes, Tucson rental homes, or Tucson lease option homes? Visit www.KGCPropertiesLLC.com .

                                                 

 

This blog is written with my opinions and my opinions are  presented with accuracy but not guarantees. Please talk to a professional before making any real estate, financial or agency decisions.    Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind - 2014. If you want to reprint parts of this - just email me for my permission: KGCProperties@gmail.com .

 

Comments (38)

Richard Riley
RE/MAX Properties SW - Orlando, FL
CDPE, I.R.E.S.

This can be very helpful in a pinch.  Be sure your plan has a lot of minutes.

Dec 22, 2008 04:07 AM
Anonymous
Brandi Doming

Awesome bit of useful information, thanks!

Dec 22, 2008 04:30 AM
#20
Anonymous
Anonymous

Great information. That is the next thing in my wish list.

Dec 22, 2008 04:31 AM
#21
Virginia Hepp - Mesquite NV REALTOR
Desert Gold Realty - Mesquite NV Homes For Sale - Mesquite, NV
Mesquite NV Homes and Neighborhoods - Search MLS

Hi Gabrielle, exciting news, but I called my carrier, Verizon, it is 59 per month!

Dec 22, 2008 05:02 AM
Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind
KGC Properties LLC, Tucson Property Management & Real Estate - Tucson, AZ
Broker/Owner

HI SHAWN!  Morning!  Thank you for the comment - Happy Holidays! --Gabrielle

HI CHRISTOPHER AND STEPHANIE!  I had a Pearl for the longest time and had no idea it had this capability!  I hope you find it useful if you se it up!  Happy Holidays --Gabrielle

HI YVETTE AND DENNIS!  You bet -- when I look at my techy friends "stuff" I am just amazed as well -- thanks for the note -- Happy Holidays!  --Gabrielle

HI BARB!  As do I and I am thrilled that I can contribute something in return for all the things I learn! Happy Holidays -- Gabrielle

HI MIKE!  Glad you are going to expand the Curve!  Let me know how it works out!  PS - thanks for emailing my friend about the refi! -- Gabrielle

HI BOB!  Now I know how you feel!  Happy Holidays!  Gabrielle

HI MICHAEL!  Ooohhhh!  I was so tempted to get the storm!  I am sure it has the same options available and probably more!  Enjoy! Happy Holidays -- Gabrielle

HI JUDY!  There ya go - it's about getting past customer service and on to the correct person!  I hope you are able to make it happen! Happy Holidays!  Gabrielle

HI CHARLES!  A little over my head on the WiFi -- I know that I pay extra for the Blackberry to get internet, email, etc.  I am sort of one of those - just pay for it, plug it in and "wow - it's working!!!" kinda people!  Let me know if it works through Altel!   Thanks for the note!  Happy Holidays - Gabrielle

HI MARK!  There is so much to keep up with - I agree!  I am glad that you found the information useful!  Happy Holidays -- Gabrielle

HI KRIS!  Oh yeah -- I hear ya!  We all do need time off, but there are so many times when there is nothing to do but "wait" that this would be handy to pass time. As a soccer coach I constantly see parents typing away on their gadgets because practice starts early and can go on for a while.   Some parents apologize for being distracted - but I say at least be a little distracted now and when you get home, you'll have more "real" time with your child.  It's all how you look at it!  Enjoy and Happy Holidays -- Gabrielle

HI KAY!  It sounded complicated to me - but when I called T-Mobile the tech guy said, "Oh yeah - easy..."!  Good luck!  Happy Holidays -- Gabrielle

HI CHRIS!  Good luck with your business plan and selecting a SmartPhone --they really do come in handy!  Happy Holidays -- Gabrielle

HI VICKIE!  Yay!  I am so glad I did not buy the aircard first!  I hope it all works out for you!  Happy Holidays -- Gabrielle

HI TIM!  Yes - I did notice that it is not as fast as my high speed internet -- but it does the trick.  I think the speed depends upon how much memory you have in your phone and also what your carrier has.  But you are right - it's free and a modem! Happy Holidays -- Gabrielle

 

Dec 22, 2008 05:24 AM
Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind
KGC Properties LLC, Tucson Property Management & Real Estate - Tucson, AZ
Broker/Owner

HI SUSAN!  Oh so sorry - I did not know that.  I Have T-Mobile.  I asked them about 7 different times if it is FREE and they said yes since I already pay for the service to be on the Curve!  I'll be counting with you!  Happy Holidays - Gabrielle  (PS I hear the Verizon and Sprint are also free.)

Dec 22, 2008 05:28 AM
Morgan Evans
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

I wake up every morning, go onto active rain and learn something new about technology.  This is definitely a cool tip to learn.

Dec 22, 2008 05:29 AM
Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind
KGC Properties LLC, Tucson Property Management & Real Estate - Tucson, AZ
Broker/Owner

HI KRISTIN!  Well - I believe it's more that I have a really smart tech friend!  I googled it after he told me about it and sure enough....!   And YES - this did save me a ton - Verizon sells external modems for laptops and when I called to ask about it - besides the initial fees, etc., it's $59 a month.  I am so glad I found out about this before I signed a two-year contract!  I hope you have a chance to try it out!  Happy Holidays -- Gabrielle

HI BRIAN and MARIE!  You bet!  And yep - having a phone first helps!  I hope you can make it all work for the New Year!  Happy Holidays!  --Gabrielle

HI RICHARD!  Agreed - my plan for the phone covers me!  Good advice to check regardless-- each carrier is different - but from what I gather - if you already are paying for Internet, email service for your cell phone - there should not be an additional charge.  If there is - my tech friend said to switch companies.  Thanks for the tip!  Happy Holidays!  --Gabrielle

HI BRANDI!  You're welcome!  Thanks for the comment -- Happy Holidays - Gabrielle

HI VIRGINIA!  Do you already have Internet service to your smart-phone? If so, my friend here in Tucson has Verizon and said to call back and use a sentence such as this: "I already have Internet service to my phone - could you assist me with connecting it to my laptop so I can use my phone as a modem?".  Verizon is the company I called to get info about their plug in modem -- you purchase this portable modem and then pay them $59 a month plus fees and taxes, etc.  If your cell phone does not already have Internet ability then yes, I can see the additional fee.  It might not hurt to call back and not talk to a customer service rep - rather mention that you have a technical issue and have them transfer you.  Good luck -  please write me back and let me know what happens if you follow up! Happy Holidays -- Gabrielle

HI MORGAN!  I AGREE!  I find something everyday that helps.  Today, I am glad I can give a little back!  Happy Holidays and thank you for the note -- Gabrielle

Dec 22, 2008 07:03 AM
Virginia Hepp - Mesquite NV REALTOR
Desert Gold Realty - Mesquite NV Homes For Sale - Mesquite, NV
Mesquite NV Homes and Neighborhoods - Search MLS

No, Gabrielle, my phone has the ability, but I do not have the 59 per month service.  I did talk to a techie at Verizon - he said that this is a perk if you do have the service.

Thanks!

Dec 22, 2008 07:09 AM
Jim Dvorovy
Cutler Real Estate - Canton, OH
REALTOR - Canton Ohio Real Estate

I think everyone needs to double check to make sure there are no additional charges. I have heard that Verizon charges something like 5 cents a MB for all data transmissionm however I cannot verify this. You could get rocked for one huge bill!

College kids have been tethering their cell phones to the laptops for several years, and it doesnt even require a smart phone. The main difference is that smart phones probably already pay for the internet package using the phone, so you may get away with tethering. Whatever you do, double check!

Dec 22, 2008 07:42 AM
Kate Elim
Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA
Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Hi Gabrielle...Looks like I may be able to do this.  I have a plan with Verizon that includes getting the Internet on my Blackberry (looks just like yours).  I am going to bookmark this and will see what I can do about this after Christmas.

Thanks so much for sharing this with us and have a happy holiday.

Oh, and thank you for speaking English to us, not "techie".

Kate

Dec 22, 2008 08:04 AM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

I didn't know this was a possibility.  Thank you so much.  I've been thinking about getting an aircard, but this looks like a much better idea.

Dec 22, 2008 03:34 PM
Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind
KGC Properties LLC, Tucson Property Management & Real Estate - Tucson, AZ
Broker/Owner

HI VIRGINIA!  Thanks for the follow up - yes, in order to tether for free, at least through T-Mobile, you do already need the service on your phone.  T-Mobile has some excellent plans if you decide to go that route!  -- Gabrielle

HI JIM!  Thanks for all that input and advice -- YES always double check -- it clearly appears to vary in different states.  It sounds like it depends upon the smart-phone plan as well.  Personally, I've had a lot of satisfaction with T-Mobile.  A friend here in Tucson has Verizon and tethers and pays no extra charge.  So again, ask, ask, ask and then - ask again!  Happy Holidays and thanks again for the good advice!  --Gabrielle

HI KATE!  Yay!  I hope you are able to get the service at no extra charge as well.  Verizon is in the business of selling portable modems so they may be more strict about it -  please keep us all posted as to whether or not they charge extra per MB for data transmission like Jim mentioned above.  (I don't know what that is - so I just repeated what he said!  Ha ha ha!).  Thanks for the comment and Happy Holidays to you as well! --Gabrielle

HI CHRISTINE!  It took me about a week or so to come to grips with this being a possibility.  So after a little research and calling T-Mobile, it really was the better choice over an additional modem!  I hope it works for you!  Happy Holidays! --Gabrielle

Dec 22, 2008 09:52 PM
Diane Aurit
LKN Realty, LLC - Mooresville, NC
Lake Norman Real Estate

This is GREAT information!  I have a Blackberry and, like you, only do the basics.  Thanks for sharing!

Dec 23, 2008 12:44 AM
Jim Dvorovy
Cutler Real Estate - Canton, OH
REALTOR - Canton Ohio Real Estate

Gabrielle - One does not even have to have the phone hooked up to the laptop with a physical wire. Any cell that has blue tooth capabilities can act as a wireless modem. Windows XP and Vista will automatically find the phone and recognize and use it as a modem with a small amount of set up.

MB stands for MegaBytes. A four minute YouTube video can easily be 80 MB. So if you used a cell phone tethered to a laptop, and your cell provider charged .05 a minute for uploading a video to YouTube, or downloading a movie file, 5 cents x 80 MB could rack up a charge of $4.00 for just one simple movie or joke.

If one googles "tethering", at least one particular site stated that a young kid in Canada ran up a $30,000 cell phone bill. Wouldn't you think the provider would be calling the subscriber and ask what is going on? That would be akin to unusual credit card usage. Someone should have been asking questions long before thousand dollar cell phone bills are racked up.

I too would like to begin using my cell phone as a modem, but so far my understanding is that there is an extra charge. I use to have Cingular, and now AT&T. I'll have to check into it anew now that I have a blackberry.

Dec 23, 2008 12:53 PM
Alexander Harb
Knights Investing - Mesquite, TX
Dallas, Texas Real Estate Investing

GREAT stuff, lady!!! I have been wanting to buy a used laptop and have my treo palm 700w connected to it, but I do not have the money yet to do it......

Thanks for the timely reminder......

I am looking ahead to January 2009!!

=-)

Dec 25, 2008 08:26 AM
Lisa Schlitz
Home Run Real Estate, Inc. - Wellington, FL
Realtor - Wellington, Florida Homes 561-214-3216

Gabrielle-I bought a mini-laptop not too long ago and leaned that I can use my phone as a modem instead of buying an Air-card and paying the 50+ dollars every month-it only costs around $20 monthly with T-mobile. I got a Behold (smart phone) for Christmas so now I will definitely do that-thanks!

Dec 26, 2008 12:09 AM
Gabrielle Kamahele Rhind
KGC Properties LLC, Tucson Property Management & Real Estate - Tucson, AZ
Broker/Owner

HI JIM!  More nice information!  I am not that savvy on a computer, but I recently got the Vista capability and noticed many features - including the ability to set up your phone as a modem!  Doubt I could do it on my own - but knowing it's there is great!  I made another call to T-Mobile last night and again, I already pay for the service to my Blackberry so there is no additional fees for anything to run it through my laptop.  I don't know about AT&T so it would be worth a call to them.  And Lisa above is correct, I pay for my regular phone service and an additional $20 a month to get the broadband.  Can you switch carriers??!!  Thanks for all the feedback -- Happy New Year!  --Gabrielle

HI ALEXANDER!  I hear ya!  I wish you a a couple of really good sales right at the start of 2009 so that you can get some of your "wants"!   Glad this was helpful!  Happy new Year -- Gabrielle

HI LISA!  YAY!  How do you like that mini laptop?  I have seen those and they are so practical!  I hope you get connected soon - you are right, T-Mobile is much cheaper than the other options out there!  So glad that my friend told me about it!  Happy new Year -- Gabrielle

Dec 26, 2008 10:08 PM
Lanette Branch
Taylor Properties - Bel Air, MD
Bel Air, MD Real Estate Agent

Hi Gabrielle!

I missed this the first time around, but I'm glad I found it today. 

Unfortunately, I have AT&T and I'd have to pay additional money to use my BB as a modem.  I tried to do this earlier in the year and found that out -- bummer!  It might be worth a carrier change, though, since my time w/them is up in February?!

Congrats on the feature -- Yay!

Dec 31, 2008 01:02 AM
Wendy Baldwin
Baldwin Realty Group, LLC - Columbus, OH
Columbus OH Real Estate, 614-433-0008 Residential,

I have a Palm Treo 700 with a Palm OS and the software PDA Net allows me to use my phone as a modem.  It was a one time fee of $34 www.junefabrics.com.  If you have a Treo, check out www.DickBetts.com where Dick has some great tips and tricks for the Treo user.  Wendy

Feb 15, 2009 01:39 PM