Macbook: Meet Pearl

So now that I have the pearl, the task at hand is making it sync with my mac and my workflow.

Here is what we need to accomplish:

• tether the wireless data plan to my laptop
• sync with
  1. address book
  2. Google Calendar through iCal

Here’s the most requested tethering instruction:
The (current) secret to using the Pearl and T-Mobile’s EDGE network as a mobile office comes thanks to Fibble.org’s modem script. While this is a 3rd party solution that is technically unsupported and has its shortcomings, it definitely gets the job done. Visit the link for complete instructions, but here’s a quick intro on how to do it:

1. Download and save this script to your /Library/Modem Scripts folder. You can copy and paste the content, but be sure to use a flat file editor like Bare Bone’s free text wrangler so that it doesn’t mess with the mark up. Name it something so you can find it later. I used “crackberry.”
2. Pair your Pearl with your Macbook. See the Bluetooth set up assistant on your taskbar and wait for the code to pop up. Make sure ‘Access the Internet with your phone’s data connection’ and ‘Use a direct, higher speed connection’ is selected.
3. Select the modem script your just installed from the drop down menu.
4. Leave the username and password blank, but under “GPRS CiD” put: *99***1#
5. You are done! Go to bluetooth connection manager, put “guest/guest” as the username/password and under the phone number put “wap.voicestream.com.” Enjoy true wireless internet. (note: cingular users put “wap.cingular” as the number, and WAP@CINGULARGPRS.COM/CINGULAR1 as the username/password)

Be warned that the script has an annoying tendency to disconnect randomly. I find this happens least when you stick the phone close to your computer. Also, it has difficulty accessing https:// sites, so for example, you can access your gmail account if you have cookies that say you are already logged in, but you can’t get to the login access page.

Syncing coming next!