PDAnet vs. Tetherberry vs. mobishark

[eram]

I haven't tried PDAnet, but a deciding factor for which to purchase for me was the support.

I was on the TetherBerry Beta and they came out with the x64 version fast (which I needed) and are now working on an update and a Mac version. Also, I had to do a warranty exchange on my phone and the PIN switch was easy and free with TetherBerry. Contact with customer support has been friendly and responsive about the PIN switching issue.

I also don't have to disable other network adapters (actually have it set it up with my desktop and ICS to give me wireless internet at my house), and it's been reliable enough for my purposes.

[gadgetzilla]

As a new Storm owner, I've not tried any of the available solutions as of yet (pdanet or the tetherberry) though I'm very much interested in finding out what ends up to be the 'best' tethering solution.

As for me, my #1 requirement would be to access various VPNs. I currently also use the palm 700p, for which I bought the pdanet product about a year ago. Thus far, it has not failed me, it works flawlessly. I'm hopeful that similar results will be seen with pdanet for the storm when they are fully done with the development of that software

Also, it would be great to know what O.S release people are having better luck with when using either of the available software. As for me, I'm choosing to remain at .75 since it is what Verizon offers to be the current 'production' release.

[shocking4life]

can we connect through Bluetooth using our storms with PDAnet ?

[homeboy123]

sorry to be a noob... what's vpn?

[sjirgens]

Originally Posted by homeboy123

sorry to be a noob... what's vpn?

Virtual Private Network

And I thought Tetherberry supported VPN now?

[Bigslam123]

Originally Posted by shocking4life

can we connect through Bluetooth using our storms with PDAnet ?

Most definitely yes. And with an amazing amount of ease.

[rickt1152]

I was a beta tester and purchased Tetherberry for my Storm during the promotional period at $39.99. I have also tried the trial version of PDAnet. Bottom line is both work pretty well for me, but I find Tetherberry significantly faster. I also have a Verizon Broadband USB through work and I actually think that Tetherberry is consistently just about as fast as the USB card.

While I use the USB card as my primary means of connecting when traveling, etc., I bought Tetherberry as a back up since I always have my BB with me and with more then one computer, there is always the chance that my USB card will be left with the "other computer".

I've used the various speed test sites, but I find the numbers somewhat suspect due to the fact that choosing the server location is an inexact science using any of these connection techniques, but the connection speeds from the sites seem to corroborate my other findings.

Lastly, I don't know how to assess the relative concerns that some people have regarding the use of external servers with Tetherberry vs. the connection method of PDAnet, and the risk of possibly violating the TOS agreement. That is an individual issue that each person is going to have to reconcile for themselves. I personally don't have an heartburn with using Tetherberry a couple of times a month as a back up to check email and do some light web surfing. After all, I am paying for five phones on a family plan, two Blackberry data plans on my personal account as well as a business blackberry and broadband card. Maybe my rationalization, but Verizon is getting their fair share from me.

Overall, I think either PDAnet or Tetherberry would suffice as a backup or occassional source of connectivity. Not ready to kick Comcast to the curb, but this is certainly a viable alternative for someone that doesn't want to spend $30 every month for occassional use.

[croosifyd]

Beware of MobiShark, iMobiMac, WireShark Media
I was looking for a service that enabled me to use my Blackberry Phone as a tethered modem which would enable me to use my phone's internet connection to surf the web on my laptop. I paid $50 for MobiShark which claims to do this without a monthly subscription service.

I paid the $50 considering it a good investment for what it claimed; however this software is completely faulty. I was able to connect the internet; however could never actually browse the internet. This software is completely useless. I tried to resolve this with WireShark Media LLC and they refused to refund my $50 investment. I used Paypal and they do not have any authority it purchased outside of ebay to refund your purchase for item such as this; therefore I am completely out $50.

I have Verizon and they are offering 30 days free without a contract for their tethering service. Although you do pay a monthly subscription for this service, I can browse the internet in lightening speed and is indeed worth the monthly fees. Do not fall for the claims of software developers like MobiShark and the like--they are ripping people off and I created this blog for consumers considering this software to be ware of this company.

[HouseApe]

SharkModem offers a free trial and a no refund policy

Store Policy:
Your purchase is important to us! We actively work with each customer to ensure that any issues are resolved. Also, we offer a free 10 Megabyte trial so that our customers can preview our products before making a purchase. Thus, before you purchase Shark Modem please test the application and it's functionality to ensure it fits your needs.

Refunds are not available for:
Software that has a free trial or demo version offered on the site

Also they have live help. I have use it during the trial and found out that it would not go to the one site I needed the program for.

Live Remote Control Help
Leave the work in our hands and let one of our Technical Support Representatives remote into your computer and get your setup in no time.

So my question is why are you spamming HoFo, BBF, CrackBerry and other forums. You could have tried it out and seen that it did not work (or even got help) before you paid for it.

[flyingpig2351]

Went from Shark to PDANet. I need VPN access and it's my fault I didn't check Shark's spec before I bought it. But they provides no indication for future support. I used PDANet for years with my Treo700w and it was reliable. Still have some minor issue with VPN but it may be just a combination of ATT VPN & Vista.

[FineWolf]

I personally bought and use PDAnet daily. It is way simpler to use, more stable then ThetherBerry (co-worker has it) and has Bluetooth DUN support.

[derrickhand300]

Problem resolved...I have edited this post as Mobishark has issued me a refund.

In fairness to Mobishark, since my posts, they hooked me up to remote desktop help and spent a considerable amount of time trying to correct the problem. In the end, we were not able to make it work on my particular model (8700C). They stated that in 4 years this has never been encountered and they issued me a refund to my paypal account with their apologies.
To me, in the end, thats really all a consumer can expect
Thanks Doug

[Jobine]

nobody has found a solution for PPTP VPN ?

[crussellp]

Hello... I have been using the search feature of this site to avoid asking questions that have the answers within other posts... but I fear that I failed!!

I am wondering if these "Tethering" programmes circumvent the incredible charges I incurred using my Storm as a modem? I was informed (After 4 days of surfing) by my provider (Bell) that my data usage reached $2000. I have an unlimited data plan but it does not cover using my phone as a modem.

My BB connected using a Dial Up Networking connection that I created and used a dial string... something like *70 or *77 with me entering a user name and password based on my phone number and voice mail password.

Do these programmes give you access to the BBs actual internet connection and not a parallel connection that will cost me a fortune?

TIA!!

[theboyk]

I'm wondering if someone could answer this for me — with TetherBerry, in the eyes of Telus it makes my thethering look at though I'm only using my data plan via my BlackBerry (thus, I don't pay the $8/mb for tethering). Does PDAnet do the same thing, or is it strictly tethering software (ie. Telus would see that I'm tethered to my laptop)!?
Thanks!
k.