I know someone mentioned a week or so ago that the Instinct can be used as a modem. I know that Sprint 'claims' that this phone can't do it. I believe that it can, based on what I have read, and what someone (don't remember who) says, and what was found on Google. So, some general questions: I have a Bluetooth dongle on my PC, and it perfectly recognizes the Instinct, and even gives me a nice little icon to double-click to access the internet. I understand that this may be slower than the USB connection method, but for convenience's sake, I would prefer to use it this way. Question is, I stopped at the point where it asks for the login, password and phone # (which, from what I have read, is supposed to be #777). Question is, some of the instructions out there instruct you to actually call Sprint and ask for the phone's MSL number(?), but when I called, the tech guy refused to give it to me. My understanding is that this is a secureity code put on the phone by *Samsung*, and has nothing to do with Sprint, and therefore Sprint does not have the right to refuse to give me this number, which is used to enter the debug menu on the device. (If I were writing apps for the phone, or wanting to change voice clarity, things like that, this code would be necessary). The tw^t from Sprint also threatened that trying to use the phone as a modem is a violation of the ToS and would get my service canceled (which I don't want to do, as I would rather not have my wife kill me). Anyway, I was curious if this code is necessary for the Bluetooth connection? Also (and probably most important) is Sprint able to tell if someone is using the phone as a modem hooked to a PC? Or is browsing browsing, and indistinguishable from using the phone itself as the browser? This is why I stopped before logging on when it presented the login screen.. I don't want to take that last step if it is not safe to do so. If anyone knows anything concrete about this, I would sure appreciate knowing. I would just occasionally like to be able to connect to the net from work without having to be saddled with the ridiculous blocked sites policy they have here at work. (and no, NOT p*rn, you sickos!)
I use mine as a modem... you need the MSL number to "hack" into your phone's secret menu to turn on Phone As Modem. If Sprint doesn't give it to you, there is a program that you can download that will retrieve it for you... that is what I used.
Ah ha.. any ideas, hints, tips, suggestions, as to where one might FIND said program? wink-wink-nudge-nudge-say-no-more? And, do you believe that, as far as you know, Sprint is unaware of your use of the phone as a modem?
http://www.instinct-samsung.com/index.php/topic,1837.0.html this ^^ should tell you what you need to know to do it. Make sure you have your micro-SD card out so it won't recognize it as a storage device. I've been using it as a modem now here and there and so far nothing has come up. I normally just use it for general web browsing on my laptop when I'm in a car or a long period of time or in a place with no wi-fi signal.
I have my Sprint Palm Treo set up as a modem. I only use it to go around the internet for a little bit. I don't use it to go stream crazy because I'm afraid Sprint might find out from data usage. So as long as you're not going crazy, you should be fine.