Internet Anywhere! Connecting the Cingular SYNC (Samsung SGH-A707) to a MacBook Pro via AT&T

The following articles helped me get my Samsung SYNC talking to my MacBookPro:
Tether Your Smartphone To Your Mac, Ross Barkman's Home Page, and Tethering on the Samsung A707

After buying my MacBook Pro with built-in Bluetooth - I couldn't wait to tether it to a cellular phone and get Internet connectivity anywhere I have cell-phone coverage.

But first - I had to upgrade my old cell-phone, the Nokia 6030. A great phone, small, reliable, but a little low on gadgets by today's standard.

I knew I wanted a 3G capable phone, but since I'm prone to losing phones, I also didn't want to spend a lot. AT&T had a special for their Samsung SYNC phone this weekend that was just what I wanted -- only $49 with a 2-year contract (after $50 rebate). What attracted me to this phone was:

• 2M Camera


• Bluetooth Support


• 3G network support


• And most importantly, Bluetooth DUN support

They also had the Motorola Razr V3xx phone for $FREE$ with a 2-year contract. But I picked up both, and liked the feel of the buttons on the Samsung SYNC better. The SYNC also had a 2M camera vs. a 1.3M camera.

Note: Make sure you add an appropriate data plan to allow data transfers.

And, be sure you are running Mac OS X v10.4.9 or higher in order to get the latest bluetooth updates.

Getting the Mac talking to the Samsung took me about an hour...but hopefully - I can reduce the work to only 15 minutes for anybody reading this post..

Samsung

• Menu / Settings / Connectivity / Bluetooth


• Set Activation to ON


• Set My Phone's Visibility to ON


• Set My Phone's Name to whatever you want

MacBook Pro

• Visit Ross Barkman's Home Page and download the Generic 3G Scripts


• Expand the downloaded file with StuffIt Expander, and copy the file "Generic 3G CID1" to the directory "Library:Modem Scripts"


• System Peferences / Bluetooth


• Click Set Up New Device...


• Choose "Mobile Phone" as the Device Type


• The Assistant will now search for your mobile phone, and it should be listed


• Select your phone, and press Continue


• The first time your MacBook Pro communicates with your Samsung SYNC phone, you must approve the pairing with a pass key. A numeric passkey will be shown on the MacBook. At the same time, the Samsung SYNC should display a dialog window asking for the passkey. Enter the numeric key from the MacBook into the Samsung


• Select Services you want to use. Choose "Use Address Book", "Access the Internet with your phone's data connection", and "Use a direct, higher speed connection to reach your Internet Service Provider"


• Press Continue


You will be prompted for information specific to the Cingular network. Use the settings below:

Username: WAP@CINGULARGPRS.COM
Password: CINGULAR1
GPRS CID String: ...leave this field blank...
Modem Script: Generic 3G CID1


• Click Continue / Quit


• Select System Preferences / Network


• Select Show: "Bluetooth"


• Click PPP, and your Bluetooth settings should be already populated

Service Provider: Enter whatever you want here
Account Name: WAP@CINGULARGPRS.COM
Password: CINGULAR1
Telephone Number: Leave Blank!
Alternate Number: Leave Blank!


• Click Dial Now..., and another window will appear...


• Click Connect

Your Samsung SYNC phone may ask a question periodically..."DUN Connect with the MacBook Pro computer?". Obviously, you should answer YES.

If everything went smoothly - you should now be connected to the internet on your MacBook Pro through your Samsung SYNC phone!

And if you want the MacBook to seamlessly connect to your Samsung SYNC so you don't even have to pull it out of your pocket! That's possible also. Visit the following menu on the SYNC: Menu / Settings / Connectivity / Bluetooth / My Devices. Choose your computer from the list. Click Options. Then "Authorize Device". Once your MacBook Pro is authorized, you will no longer be prompted for any bluetooth activity!