Buying PB, but Deployed and have questions

BB-Soldier · Thread Author #1 02-02-2012, 07:41 AM

Thank for anyone reading and responding to this thread.

I will be purchasing a PB within the next few days but had a few questions since I am deployed to Afghanistan and might have some issues:

First off, I own a Torch 9800 which I have with me. I do have phone service here on my phone, but it is only voice, no data available here. I was wondering if that would be an issue trying to bridge with the PB (I still have lots of reading to do, since I've decided to take the plunge with a PB)?

Secondly, we do have internet service on my camp, but no wireless service. From what I have read the updates for the PB are via wireless, is there no other way to get updates from my wired laptop and get them to the PB? Worse case, I guess I buy my own wireless router and work it that way, but looking to keep from buying additional items to make things work.

Final question I have, I'm still debating on which PB to get, 16, 32, 64... Since I can bridge from my Torch, does that mean if I have music, files, videos, etc on my Torch I can transfer them to the PB and basically use my Torch as a file server, allowing me to purchase just the 16?

I'm planning on getting the Otter case for this, since I'm deployed and could run into various things that might bang up the PB, does anyone have additional recommendations for a case?

Thank you for your time, and looking forward to any responses.

farskija · #2 02-02-2012, 07:47 AM

I do believe that your phone needs to have a data package in order for the bridge function to operate.

Thanks for your service!

pallav_gupta · #3 02-02-2012, 07:56 AM

Buying a small wifi router would solve your problems. as for size it all depends on your budget.

GreenCopperz · #4 02-02-2012, 08:01 AM

Yes, some things are available over bridge browser, but don't expect blazing file transfer speeds. You can bridge without data plan but you will be dinged high fees if you open a web browser tethered to your pbone while roaming. Best get your phone unlocked and get a sim card, like Roshan if I recall. There will often be other nations with wifi if they're on your camp. If you're going to the south in Kandahar, there is wifi in various places. Get a 64gb so you can load up on movies etc. I fit the first season of hbo's Rome on my 16gb using only 4gb of space.

homer1475 · #5 02-02-2012, 08:02 AM

Bridge will work but only for PIM(calender and files) functions and seeing as you have no data on the phone you will not have any data available on the PB.

Wifi is the only way you can setup the device when you receive it.

You can VIEW files via bridge but they will not play(music or videos)from the bridged handheld to the PB. YOu cannot natively transfer then from one to the other either. There is a paid app that allows you to copy files and view all the files on the PB(does not come with a native files viewer), Files and folders. For the price if the sale is still going on, IMO it would be senseless to pay the same price for a 16gb model when you can buy a 64 for the same price. IMO when speaking in terms of storage, bigger is always better.

Badrush · #6 02-02-2012, 08:02 AM

Yes you will need to buy a router to connect to the internet to update your playbook. There is no way to get internet via a cable on the playbook and BBs can't connect to ad-hoc networks so you can't even create the wireless network on your laptop. Your best bet (what I just did) is to buy a smaller/thinner and cheaper wifi router for $20+shipping online. I got a TP one from futureshop for $20.

As far as bridge goes, you need data for it. Otherwise the only things bridge will be useful for is calendar and contacts.

F2 · #7 02-02-2012, 09:11 AM

You would also need wifi to purchase any apps - don't know how appworld works over there since it sometimes provides a version based on ip location/address.

apengue1 · #8 02-02-2012, 09:57 AM

bridge - you can bridge no problem and have access to files, calender, contacts, memopad, and your tasks. You CAN bridge without data plan as its via bluetooth, but obviously you will not be able to use anything data related like browser (if trying to use through bridge) BBM, native email on your torch. You also cannot view or transfer media files from your torch to your pb.

As for the updates, if your wired pc has internet connection, and you have Blackberry Desktop Manager installed, you can update it via usb just like you do with your torch. Unfortunately, the PB does require you to be in a wifi zone during initial setup and you cannot use it once you are through the initial setup. Check out unboxing videos on youtube to see what I mean.

This being said, your pb will be rather useless without having a wireless internet connection. You cannot download any apps and cant even use the browser. I cannot imagine what you may use it for other than to play NFS or to watch the HD turtle video. Wireless routers arent too expensive and it would be the only way to do it.

Lead_Express · #9 02-02-2012, 10:05 AM

If the internet in Afghanistan is anything like what we had in Iraq, I'd still get a PlayBook but with the expectation that it wouldn't be extremely useful until I got back stateside.

RWWackoStu · #10 02-02-2012, 10:08 AM

First off, thank you for your service. You are a hero!

Bridge should work, update via DM as above, and get the biggest one you can afford. I only have the 16, and while I have room, I wish I had a 32 or 64. That being said, cloud services like Box are a big help.

I would also invest in a cheap wireless router.

Enjoy your PB and come home safe.

BB-Soldier · Thread Author #11 02-02-2012, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apengue1

bridge - you can bridge no problem and have access to files, calender, contacts, memopad, and your tasks. You CAN bridge without data plan as its via bluetooth, but obviously you will not be able to use anything data related like browser (if trying to use through bridge) BBM, native email on your torch. You also cannot view or transfer media files from your torch to your pb.

As for the updates, if your wired pc has internet connection, and you have Blackberry Desktop Manager installed, you can update it via usb just like you do with your torch. Unfortunately, the PB does require you to be in a wifi zone during initial setup and you cannot use it once you are through the initial setup. Check out unboxing videos on youtube to see what I mean.

This being said, your pb will be rather useless without having a wireless internet connection. You cannot download any apps and cant even use the browser. I cannot imagine what you may use it for other than to play NFS or to watch the HD turtle video. Wireless routers arent too expensive and it would be the only way to do it.

I'm sure I can ask around the camp here and see if anyone has setup their own wireless router and see if, once I get the PB, I can't get the inital setup completed and then work with Desktop Manager afterwards.

I wouldn't want to just get the PB and not do anything with it if I can't get it setup initially. The whole point for getting the PB is to use it so I don't have to lug around my laptop.

Again, worst case I can buy a wireless router on the cheap and do what I need to do from there.

For everyone else, thanks for your quick responses. Just got off of the shopblackberry site and found out that my camp address isn't "found" and won't let me order. I guess I'm making a call for the order.

apengue1 · #12 02-02-2012, 10:20 AM

Yeah thats a good idea. I really hope you enjoy everything about it.. I sure know we all do!

robsteve · #13 02-02-2012, 10:46 AM

The PlayBook is not like the phones, so you cannot install programs/apps via desktop manager on a PC. Desktop manager only provides backup and sync functions, plus the option to debrick for a base software install, but it still needs wifi to complete the install.

You may also want to ask why there is no wifi in the camp. You may not be allowed to set up your own for security reasons. For example, go onto Google maps and select the position icon above the street view man. If you are on wifi, it will use your wifi card to triangulate your position. I think Google may just be using wifi router locations sniffed out when the streetmaps cars surveyed the areas, but this technique may not be unique to google.