[sav25]

My Windows Phone lets me share my mobile connection wirelessly - so apart from a bit of file sharing, Bridge seems a bit redundant now right?

I only say this because people always quote Bridge being a reason to get a Playbook and BB....however any tablet can benefit from Internet sharing on modern smartphones.

And if you're wondering, this doesn't come with additional tethering charges, well not in the UK anyway.

[homer1475]

How does it share the mobile connection? Hotspot, bluetooth, wifi? Depending on the connection it may be considered tethering to other cell providers.

Also you say it shares your data plan, but can you get your contacts, email, calender, memo's, and tasks on your PB from the windows device? Can you remotely control your PB from your windows phone? Can you BBM from your windows phone(ooh wait winmo doesn't have BBM )? There are many other features of bridge besides sharing the mobile data connection.

[sav25]

It's over wifi - just creates a wifi hotspot in your pocket using your data plan. No extra charge.

Contacts - synced from google
email - synced from google
memos - not sure, dont use them
tasks - again not sure
remote control - not sure why I would need that
BBM - This is still a massive plus for BB, but not for me. Unlimited text contracts are pretty standard over here, so no need for it unless you're PAYG.

I agree that there are more features, but the main one has lost its edge now.

[Chaddface]

In the US there is a hefty fee for tethering. Bridge is a great way avoid that fee.
My data plan would just about double in price without the bridge app.

[anthogag]

But our BB phones can also control the playbook, open-on the playbook, type on the playbook, etc...and more functions are coming

[OniPod]

Then it is not the same as BB Bridge.

[morlock_man]

Since bridge hasn't even been demo'd with a BB10 phone, I think you're probably in for a shock.

QNX is a network distributable platform. In a nutshell, RIM can have both the tablet and phone act as one unit over wifi. This isn't something that any of the other systems currently available can do natively. It's seamless integration of devices and it's going to be quite a game changer.

[collapsed]

Do you even use a BB Smarphone + tablet combo? Or just Bridge?
If you don't then I suggest you go to a windows phone or just get some information before posting some complete bull

[Mystic205]

firstly, bridge is NOT the main competitive advantage of the PB, but certainly is among its advantages, however fwiw you clearly have little idea what bridge is, as it is more than simply an internet connection.

additionally, pretty much every smartphone today and for the last several years, has a mobile hotspot feature.. iPhone, BB, Androids and seemingly the WP phones.. but do not mistake the technical capability of a device to perform a function with the legality or ability of said device to actually USE that function.

Carriers also typically charge for smartphone hotspot use and so to me, i would rather simply pay for a standalone mobile hotspot..only slightly more expensive and far better on battery life.

It's over wifi - just creates a wifi hotspot in your pocket using your data plan. No extra charge.

Contacts - synced from google
email - synced from google
memos - not sure, dont use them
tasks - again not sure
remote control - not sure why I would need that
BBM - This is still a massive plus for BB, but not for me. Unlimited text contracts are pretty standard over here, so no need for it unless you're PAYG.

I agree that there are more features, but the main one has lost its edge now.

[byul]

Remote is something you don't have.

[wuulfy]

is this something you get as an add on? Like the BB bolt on with o2? If its an extra lumped in with your contract, even if you dont pay extra, its not the same.

[wuulfy]

to be fair, i believe the way carriers charge in the uk is different from the US.

So it could be possible although unlikely.

[wuulfy]

well according to the vodaphone website, if you want to do this it costs you a monthly charge.

As i said before your overall package may include this, but you will be paying for it.

[sav25]

Hold the monkeys chaps - it was a question, not a critisism!!

I want to see the PB do well like the rest of you - just wondered what all the Bridge hype was about and how it related to simple users such as myself that simply browse, game and watch films.

Good to hear that it's more feature-rich than I assumed though. I got rid of my BB years ago so haven't had the opportunity to try it.

[sav25]

well according to the vodaphone website, if you want to do this it costs you a monthly charge.

As i said before your overall package may include this, but you will be paying for it.

Nah been doing this for ages - no charges - just eats up my data so I bumped it up to 1Gb a month for an extra £5 which covers it. They even told me themselves on the phone.

I think they state that on the websites etc to put people off

[hpjrt]

To say nothing of the security features of BB which apply in the case of the Bridge as well!

[Stewartj1]

There's a lot more to Bridge than a simple internet connection.

Additionally, I can:

Avoid the exorbitant tethering costs my carrier charges

Open my phones email, contacts, calendar, tasks and memo pad on my PlayBook screen.

Open most email attachments on my phone so I can read them on a nice big screen.

Use my phone as a physical keyboard for my PlayBook.

Use my phone as a mouse for my PlayBook.

While using my PlayBook for a presentation, I can roam around the meeting room using my phone to remotely control the Playbook and the presentation.

There are more features rumored to be added at some point in the not to distant future.


Ya, Bridge is a huge advantage to me!

.

[diegonei]

There's a lot more to Bridge than a simple internet connection.

Additionally, I can:

Avoid the exorbitant tethering costs my carrier charges

Open my phones email, contacts, calendar, tasks and memo pad on my PlayBook screen.

Open most email attachments on my phone so I can read them on a nice big screen.

Use my phone as a physical keyboard for my PlayBook.

Use my phone as a mouse for my PlayBook.

While using my PlayBook for a presentation, I can roam around the meeting room using my phone to remotely control the Playbook and the presentation.

There are more features rumored to be added at some point in the not to distant future.


Ya, Bridge is a huge advantage to me!

.

As usual, people don't really know what BlackBerry is about, and this kinda post happen.

[mandony]

Good to hear that it's more feature-rich than I assumed though. I got rid of my BB years ago so haven't had the opportunity to try it.

LOL, so you don't even have a BB phone so how can you make any implications?

[phoanyone]

Bridge is greatly over-hyped on this forum. I can count the # of times I've used it on 3 fingers (out of boredom). I never understood why you need to use two devices for one task. It might be great for a small percentage of users, but for most? Probably not.

Avoid the exorbitant tethering costs my carrier charges
In addition to a BB phone, I have a rooted EVO on Sprint. Free hotspot.


Open my phones email, contacts, calendar, tasks and memo pad on my PlayBook screen.
Contacts are already on your phone, why do you need it on the PB? To email? BB users are always boasting about emailing, calendar, and contacts function of their phone, well use it on the phone.

Open most email attachments on my phone so I can read them on a nice big screen.
Makes sense. But if you need to see things bigger, you should have bought a phone with a bigger screen.

Use my phone as a physical keyboard for my PlayBook.
Again why? You bought the BB phone because it is the best emailer, use it.

Use my phone as a mouse for my PlayBook.
Err, tablets are meant to be touched. If you're in BT range, you can touch.

While using my PlayBook for a presentation, I can roam around the meeting room using my phone to remotely control the Playbook and the presentation.
Helpful, but what percentage of users need to do presentations?

In my humble opinion, if you need two devices to do something that can be done on one, you're doing it wrong. I work in an office where everyone has BB phones. I showed them bridge on my PB and was greeted with a resounding "meh". Bridge is great only for a small percentage of nerdy users.

[omniusovermind]

bridge is a nice to have extra for those who use the features it has. For those who don't have a use for those features, than not so much. Personal use will dictate whether it's an edge or not. I will say that I don't see it as a "competitive" edge in terms of luring new RIM customers.

[Chaddface]

Bridge is greatly over-hyped on this forum. I can count the # of times I've used it on 3 fingers (out of boredom). I never understood why you need to use two devices for one task. It might be great for a small percentage of users, but for most? Probably not.

Avoid the exorbitant tethering costs my carrier charges
In addition to a BB phone, I have a rooted EVO on Sprint. Free hotspot.


Open my phones email, contacts, calendar, tasks and memo pad on my PlayBook screen.
Contacts are already on your phone, why do you need it on the PB? To email? BB users are always boasting about emailing, calendar, and contacts function of their phone, well use it on the phone.

Open most email attachments on my phone so I can read them on a nice big screen.
Makes sense. But if you need to see things bigger, you should have bought a phone with a bigger screen.

Use my phone as a physical keyboard for my PlayBook.
Again why? You bought the BB phone because it is the best emailer, use it.

Use my phone as a mouse for my PlayBook.
Err, tablets are meant to be touched. If you're in BT range, you can touch.

While using my PlayBook for a presentation, I can roam around the meeting room using my phone to remotely control the Playbook and the presentation.
Helpful, but what percentage of users need to do presentations?

In my humble opinion, if you need two devices to do something that can be done on one, you're doing it wrong. I work in an office where everyone has BB phones. I showed them bridge on my PB and was greeted with a resounding "meh". Bridge is great only for a small percentage of nerdy users.

You may see features you wouldn't use. I see more options.

[MountainProud]

Avoid the exorbitant tethering costs my carrier charges
In addition to a BB phone, I have a rooted EVO on Sprint. Free hotspot.

So instead of just the $20 for tethering you got a completely different phone / plan? That's economical...and as you so elequantly pointed out...using 2 devices for 1 purpose is doing it wrong


Open my phones email, contacts, calendar, tasks and memo pad on my PlayBook screen.
Contacts are already on your phone, why do you need it on the PB? To email? BB users are always boasting about emailing, calendar, and contacts function of their phone, well use it on the phone.

Currently at my work, BB is the only corporate approved phone. While I use my BB as a BB when I'm out and about, I use my PB Bridged around the office / house.

Open most email attachments on my phone so I can read them on a nice big screen.
Makes sense. But if you need to see things bigger, you should have bought a phone with a bigger screen.

I use my PB around the office / house because I am starting to have issues reading the screen. Going to a bigger screen on a small device isn't a real big help


While using my PlayBook for a presentation, I can roam around the meeting room using my phone to remotely control the Playbook and the presentation.
Helpful, but what percentage of users need to do presentations?

So you lug a laptop to every meeting where you are giving presentations? no thanks. My PB has better battery life and lets me move and interact with the audience.

[husainpatan]

Op why the damn do u wanna instigate a null conversation?

Either u don't own a PB OR u r fishing here.

[jheatBBtorch]

so why are we arguing with a windows user?? the bridge is great, especially before the hotspot came avail for those of us that had no internet connection. i prefer the bridge over the bridge, for one there is no additional charge. i control the PlayBook, dont have to worry about someone else sharing my connection. so if you love your windows phone and dont understand bridge then why.come on here and say the bridge has no advantage. us diehard bb will always love the idea of having the only bridge avail.

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