Good news for BlackBerry users on T-Mobile / AT&T / Nextel!

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Mark Rejhon

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Hi!

Good news for BlackBerry users on T-Mobile / AT&T / Nextel / Cingular! (Model 7100, 7290, 7510, or any older model upgraded to BlackBerryOS 4.0) These models now can run instant messaging software out-of-the-box without any additional paid services! No BES needed! No MDS needed!

Configuration:
  1. Follow the instructions in Configuring Internet On BlackBerry
    .
  2. Download one of these chat software programs and install on BlackBerry:
    BlackChat (Freeware!) A free ICQ client for Blackberries. (download)
    VeriChat (about $35) - AIM / ICQ / MSN / Yahoo Instant Messaging on BlackBerry. (trial)
    WebMessenger (about $49) - Another AIM / ICQ / MSN / Yahoo Instant Messenger. (trial)
    The last two allows you to be logged onto all 4 networks simultaneously!
    .
  3. Chat, chat, chat away!

Verizon/Sprint are a little slow at deploying full Internet access on BlackBerries; give them extra time. To solve this problem, you can get a paid BES/MDS hosting subscription if you need to stick with Verizon/Sprint. (Which you don't need to get for T-Mobile, AT&T or Nextel or Cingular anymore.). There is special configuration needed for Cingular, additional instructions are included in the link above.

Please note the following models
Internet-Ready BlackBerry Today: Model 7290, 7100, 7510, 7520
Will Not Be Internet Ready Yet Till 4.0 Upgrade: Model 62XX, 67XX, 77XX, 7230, 7280
 
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Getting Wireless IP-Relay Working On BlackBerry

First, try to get the chat software working, at least a trial version. If you get the chat software working, add handle 'HipRelay' to AIM of your Verichat or WebMessenger. You can do basic AIM relay service.

Now, if you want something superior than AIM relay, you can use MCI Wireless IP-Relay running on your BlackBerry too! They do not provide the software, so you have to download the software separately from another company first:
  1. Enter http://www.idokorro.com via your BlackBerry HTML Browser
  2. Download Idokorro MobileSSH via your BlackBerry
  3. Configure a new Session/Connection with the following parameters:
    Hostname: wireless.ip-relay.com
    Port: 2510
    Protocol: Telnet
    Font Size: Large
    Enter Sends CRLF: Disabled
Now you can connect to realtime MCI IP-Relay via BlackBerry (superior to AIM Relay). (Desktop Trial Link: telnet://wireless.ip-relay.com:2510 )
 
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Thanks for all the Blackberry posts Mark! My wife and I purchased two 9720s from AT&T after lurking here and the Blackberry Forums for quite some time now.

Now, we just have to sit and wait for them to show up! We feel they will suppliment our D-Link videophone well! We're moving to a new house soon and do not plan to install telephone landlines (although it's wired).

Wyndtell has a special Sprint Wireless Relay program for the 850/950s. Does anyone know if that is the only way to use/connect to SWR service?

Thanks,
Steve
 
I would stay away from the 850/950s.... They are very old devices and do not have much software. They were good while they lasted, but the 7290 is WAY better.

I read a Sprint website article that SWR is going to be released on the modern newer BlackBerries sometime in 2005. (Probably summer 2005, but could be sooner).

In the meantime, you can connect to MCI Wireless IP Relay and use Idokorro from http://www.idokorro.com ..... You can obtain it with the student discount ($19.95) -- 90% off the original price.

Besides, I find MCI Wireless IP Relay to be superior to the wireless version of Sprint (it still needs work). However, it will improve over time.
 
Thanks for the info!! I plan on purchasing a blackberry very soon, and knowing what I can do to add relay and messengers on the pager really helps! ;)
 
Hi,

Make sure you are careful selecting the correct BlackBerry model from the correct BlackBerry provider. You really want to get the model 7290 if possible, and go with a provider such as AT&T instead of Verizon because of full Internet access (no BES needed, no MDS needed).

Don't forget that I have tested about 5 different methods of relay service on BlackBerry. My favourite is the Idokorro MobileSSH at http://www.idokorro.com and then configuring it to connect to MCI Wireless IP Relay according to my instructions.

Note: Older BlackBerry models should work with relay "out-of-the-box" (No BES needed, no DeafBES needed, no MDS needed) once BlackBerryOS Version 4.0 is released sometime in December or January. However, if you want relay today, get the BlackBerry model 7290.

[Edit: December 5th, 2004: Cingular now supports Verichat! Please see instructions in my other post below]
 
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>>"Isnt ATT and Cingular merged by now?"

Yes. But the brand names is still separate. Much like two different models of Ford cars. Before December 5th, you could not easily get relay service on a Cingular Blackberry without paying extra money for a missing service that permits connections to outside services (including relay), that is why.

Just like a certain Ford car may only have manual transmission, and another Ford car has automatic transmission. Later, they might merge the two different kind of services (just like Ford following up two old designs of cars with one newer replacement design). But they are not planning to do so.

The good news is that AT&T will roam on Cingular for free. And Cingular can roam on AT&T for free. So the two networks are essentially the same and one now, and improved reception.

For more information, see http://www.howardforums.com and http://www.BlackBerryForums.com about phone company plans.

[Edit: December 5th, 2004: Cingular now supports Verichat! Please see instructions in my other post below]
 
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Mark Rejhon said:
Yes. But the brand names is still separate. Much like two different models of Ford cars.
Click to expand...

Heh - Ford and Lincoln: Same dealer and service station.

Steve
 
I was about to purchase a sidekick 2 but with the informations you provided convincing me to purchase one of two blueberry devices.

Which one is good 7730 or 7290 as you suggested? Is 7730 a new latest model or the next generation device? Give me some advices Thanks.. PM me because I barely visit this thread :)
 
I vote for BlackBerry model 7290. It's more user friendly for wireless Internet.

7730
- Older model
- Less memory (16MB)
- Bigger screen
- Heavier weight
- Needs you to pay extra for BES/MDS (or needs special access to 4.0 OS beta software upgrade)
- Less User Friendly for Internet access

7290
- Newer Model
- Twice the memory (32MB)
- Smaller screen
- Ligher weight
- Better reception (has additional frequency of 850 Mhz)
- Slightly better thumb keyboard
- No hassle of BES/MDS required!
- Accesses the Internet out of the box (on AT&T and T-Mobile)
 
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If it is true, Why is that 7730 is more expensive than 7290? What about bluetooth? Whart does Black berry 7290 have that Sidekick 2 don't?
 
Newer devices can be cheaper for the same reason that today's better computers are cheaper than yesterday's more expensive computers two years ago. Also notice how a computer system with 15" LCD and massive 1024MB RAM -- is often cheaper than a computer system with 19" LCD and only 256MB RAM? Sometimes a certain feature (bigger screen) costs more than another certain feature (more memory). Also, carriers often subsidize the cost of devices. Remember that more expensive does not always mean better.

Also, notice how this happens with digital cameras too: The same manufacturer releases a better digital camera that has more features and is cheaper than an older model -- but keeps the older model because there's one or two certain features people really like, such as a bigger screen instead of longer battery life or vice versa. Things like these always happens.

The 7730 has been on the market for many months, the 7290 was just released a month ago. You can buy the 7730 instead, but be prepared to pay more money, and also purchase third-party BES service (at between $10 to $25 extra per month -- yet another bill mailed to your address, separate from the wireless company for BlackBerry.) .... unless you can find a hard-to-find Version 4.0 Beta Operating system for the 7730. Or wait a few months before it becomes available generally.

The main 7730 advantage is the bigger screen, but do you prefer to pay more for the unit AND pay a second bill for BES/MDS service? There's also twice the memory in the 7290 which is also lighter in weight, has newer software preinstalled on it, and it's more user friendly out-of-the-box for Internet access, such as being able to install chat software (without need for purchasing third party BES/MDS service from a second company other than the wireless provider).

Also, the 7290 has four bands of frequencies for better reception, compared to the 7730 which only has three bands. The new 850 Mhz band means you're got more reception, especially rural and between cities. The HowardForums website indicates that this makes a big difference on AT&T and Cingular networks.

For advantages of 7290 versus Sidekick 2, please see this:
Advantages Of BlackBerry For The Deaf

The 7730 is a good model too, just be prepared to do a little more work setting it up, and also pay extra money for a second service (BES/MDS hosted service) in addition to wireless service. If you want to keep your life simpler, get the 7290 instead.
 
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Even better news!

CINGULAR now supports Verichat on BlackBerry 7290!

But you have to call Cingular and ask to get "Wireless Internet Express" added to your BlackBerry account, also tell them you need the "wap.cingular Access Point Name" added to your BlackBerry account. There is no extra charge to get this option added to your Cingular BlackBerry plan.

After you've called Cingular, you configure your BlackBerry to "wap.cingular" to Options->TCP->APN, then reboot your BlackBerry, then Verichat AIM/ICQ/MSN works on Cingular!
 
UPDATE: Verizon Supports Relay/Verichat Too (Model 7250)

Good news! You can also do this on Verizon too, if you have the new BlackBerry model 7250. A friend of mine successfully used MCI Wireless IP Relay (much better than AIM relay) on a BlackBerry via Idokorro MobileSSH. Verichat worked too as well.

For more info:
BlackBerry Instant Messaging FAQ

Screenshot of Verichat:
 
Mark,

Regarding the IdoKorro MobileSSH, I understand from your postings that it is allows for real-time TDD on a Blackberry so it is faster than AIM. But am I correct in assuming that it works only for outgoing calls?

What about incoming calls? What if someone wants to call me? It would seem that only MCI My IP Relay is the only service available for incoming calls and that service requires the usage of AIM which is slower than the IdoKorro Mobile SSH. So here is the breakdown:

Outgoing: IdoKorro Mobile SSH telnet -> real-time TDD

Incoming: MCI My IP Relay via AIM -> AIM-style TDD, not real-time.

Please confirm that the above is perhaps the best mobile TDD configuration available for deaf users. Thanks.
 
Rushabh, that is correct.

Same situation goes for Hiptop/Sidekick too.

The good news is that AIM is much faster using "Verichat" on BlackBerry than Sidekick/Hiptop (less than 1 second message-transmit delay)
 
Mark,

Thanks for the info. It sounds like the Blackberry is the best device for me at least until a Captel-style mobile phone comes out in the future. I really wanted the real-time VCO capability of Captel in a mobile phone but I guess the Blackberry features are better than nothing.

My only concern is the thumb typing required for the Blackberry. I checked out the Blackberry at a T-Mobile shop and the buttons were pretty small and tightly spaced (at least compared to the Sidekick). How long does it take for a novice to get used to thumb typing? FYI, I am a very, very fast QWERTY typist on a computer keyboard.

Lastly, do you know of any special deals for deaf people with either T-Mobile or Cingular on Blackberry handhelds? For example, free Blackberry with 1-year contract?
 
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