The Playbook can be tethered to the net via the Blackberry phone by Bluetooth only. It can also access the internet using the bridge feature. This also used Bluetooth to work with the phone. The phone serves as a mobile modem.
The phone can work as a modem with a laptop or desktop computer. To do this the computer has to be connected to the phone using the Blackberry USB cable. The proper drivers have to be installed in to the computer.
As for battery consumption in the Playbook, I am able to get an average of about 10 hours of use before the battery goes flat. While using the Playbook it is possible to have the charger connected. This would keep the battery charged while being used.
I tried doing a Bluetooth tether between a laptop and the Blackberry Torch. I had no success at doing this. I wanted to be able to have my laptop computer tether on to the net via the Torch using Bluetooth instead of the USB cable. When I have the time, I will be calling Blackberry support to know if this is possible. Using the phone as a modem to the computer using the USB cable works very well.
With Windows 7 - 32 bit, I can transfer files between one of my laptop computers using Bluetooth to my Torch. With 64 bit Windows, I have not been able to make the Bluetooth transfer work. I called BELL support about this. They made an inquiry for me. When they got back to me they told me I cannot use the Desktop Manager wtih Bluetooth on the Windows - 64 bit operating system.
Jerry G.
Jerry G.
