UPDATE: I think I fixed it!
I really should learn to read the blog buzz on other devices before I plow haphazardly into firmware updates. As discussed last night, I updated my Motorola Q to the latest firmware [link intentionally omitted] and was unable to use my Bluetooth connection to my Nokia N800 anymore.
It turns out there's a very good reason for this.
Microsoft turned off the Bluetooth DUN profile in favor of ICS/PAN. This works fine on Windows equipped PCs, but spells disaster for users of Nokia Internet Tablets, Mac owners, and users of Bluetooth equipped GPS units or other devices.
At the bottom of the MSDN blog, it mentions that carriers and OEMs were provided with software that enables Bluetooth DUN which can be shipped on a device-per-device basis.
I decided to call Verizon and try to get it. The representative with whom I spoke was very polite and knowledgeable but stuck to his official policy that "tethered" DUN is only supported over USB cables and not Bluetooth. Mac owners can download their VZAccess Manager to use the USB cable to connect, but we Internet Tablet owners are dead in the water. If the maemo team wants to fix it themselves, there's already a feature request in Bugzilla with 8 votes.
I had Geoffrey (my tech) take all the notes on this case and add the whole URL to the MSDN post to it and escalate it up to an engineer. While I was on the phone with him, he reiterated that Verizon's "unlimited access" plan is actually peaked at 5GB. If you pass 5GB, you're shut off because they assume you're downloading "prohibited data types" (such as VOIP, P2P, streaming video, placeshifting like Orb and Sling, and basically anything other than Web, Email, and LIMITED music.)
Don't make this mistake!I like Verizon's people, coverage, and data speed but I cannot abide by these changes. I hope Geoffrey is able to escalate this to the proper channels and I can present you all with a Motorola Q application that re-enables BT DUN. In the meantime - if it works, DO NOT UPDATE THE SOFTWARE.
Thanks to commenter "Millhouse" for the advice. Wish me luck.
6 comments:
Umm.. according to the explanation address you provided (http://blogs.msdn.com/windowsmobile/archive/2007/04/17/why-did-we-remove-bluetooth-dun.aspx), they will bring DUN back in a future release:
"...based on continued feedback from the community, we have changed our minds! We will bring Bluetooth DUN back by default in a future WM6 AKU release. Keep in mind that OEMs and operators still have the final say whether DUN will end up on a specific device."
Yes but like the patch requested from Verizon, it's up to the carrier to provide that software change. The carrier, after all, gets $118/mo from me for this service.
I saw your post via planet maemo. One thing that sprang to mind, don't know if you've tried it, but Linux has supported PAN for some time. It's just networking over bluetooth. Admittedly it's not commonly used. However, maybe you just need to run pand with the right arguments. I've just checked, and my N800 says that pand is included as part of the bluez-utils package.
According to a comment in the MSDN blog from a network support person the number of modem related calls have halved since the introduction of ICS, ie. DUN increases the number of support calls so is it likely that carriers will reintroduce DUN in future?
The rest of the world will have to fall into line and sing Microsoft's tune on this one by adding support for PAN and only then DUN will die. Can you say self fulfilling prophecy?
Whew! I was about to let a Microsoft product into my ecosystem! Thanks for reminding me that it will be like a crowbar in the door!
I will stick with my boring non-Microsoft tools a little longer.
I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that windows mobile ditched DUN for PAN, but of course the despots at verizon might not let you use that either.
PAN does indeed work on ITOS2006 as well as 2007. I haven't tried to use it with a cell phone, but I followed the instructions at http://maemo.org/community/wiki/HOWTO-BluetoothNetworking and was able to browse the web on my 770 without wifi, using a linux laptop as a "PANAP" (Personal Area Network Access Point). This required making a dummy IAP etc to satisfy Nokia's connection manager, and connecting using the Terminal; see the HOWTO for details. It isn't hard.
Please let us know if you are able to use PAN with Verizon on your Q!
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