We’ve continued working on the next software release for the Telstra Turbo Modem.

In order to not be providing continual updates, we’re trying to fix all the bugs and include all the compatibility in the one release. Further to what we expected, we’re also trying to include 64bit drivers for Vista into this release also. It will hopefully mean that the Telstra Turbo Modem will work natively with XP, XP Media Centre Edition, and all flavours of Vista. We’re also fixing a few other bugs, which will increase the stability of the software considerably!

There will still be a couple of limitations on the new software. At this stage, we have not found a workaround for the software requiring admin rights to work (on Vista). We are working with Microsoft to resolve this, but we don’t yet have a fix. There is also a limitation in the modem for the username/password of around 30 characters. For some users on IP WANs this can be an issue.

Hi folks,

I know it’s been quiet for a little while, but we’ve had our heads down working hard! Beta 2 for the TTM on Mac OS is nearly done. We’ve been doing in-house testing on it, and there’s only one last remaining bug that we have to iron out before a public release!

We’ve been talking with Telstra, and they have requested we leave the driver up in it’s current form while we work on different connection options.

If you are on a PcPack plan (hourly based) you will be charged at the PAYG rate, which is charged per KB.

We are working urgently on providing other connection options.

Following confirmation from Telstra, we have removed the beta driver for the time being.

The driver in it’s current state connects to the telstra.internet APN, which can be charged at the PAYG rate, which is charged per KB. Due to this, we have removed the driver until we revise the connection APN.

In the mean time, please DO NOT use the previous beta supplied, as you will quite possibly incur large charges!

Following some concerns that were raised, please not the following about the driver:

When it connects, it connects using the telstra.internet APN (rather than telstra.pcpack or telstra.datapack).

We are unsure at this stage as to what difference it actually makes, and are chasing it up with Telstra.  We’re also working on providing a couple of different drivers, with the different APNs coded into them.

In the mean time, please realise that connecting to telstra.internet (that is, using the beta driver) might cause your billing to be different.  We can’t provide any guarantees either way.

Firstly, I’d like to apologize profusely for the delay. We honestly believed (each time we posted information saying it was only x amount of days away) that it really was almost there. Unfortunately, not having written drivers from scratch before, there were more complications than we expected.

Secondly, I’d like to apologize for the lack of communication. There are staff other than me who have access to our communication channels, but they will only use them in case of an emergency.
Thirdly, the beta drivers are here! YAY!

PLEASE NOTE: These drivers will only work if you have a Telstra branded modem, this is DIFFERENT to a BigPond branded modem. (The Telstra ones are orange, the BigPond ones are blue). This is because the two systems use different authentication methods. BigPond themselves will be releasing the software to be used with their modems. (I know the installation currently mentions the BigPond modems, but trust me, they will not work).

There is also one important step that is not currently in the installation instructions (I’ll get that amended ASAP). YOU MUST DO THIS BEFORE IT WILL WORK. The USIM cards by default come with PIN request activated. The driver does not currently provide the functionality to change this. So, you will either need to install the modem onto a Windows computer, and disable the PIN request through the windows software, OR you will need to put the USIM card into a mobile phone, then disable PIN request through your phone (how to do this will depend on your phone model).

You can download the driver from here:

http://www.maxon.com.au/udrivers/Mac_Drivers_Beta_090207.zip

The usual disclaimer applies, as this is BETA software. Use at your own risk.

A GUI is on the way, not sure of the timeframe for that yet.

Finally, we are very keen to hear any feedback / issues / feature requests for these drivers. Please use our forums for this (rather than posting comments here). Official Mac OS thread: http://www.maxon.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=13

You can download a guide for setting up the Telstra Turbo Modem with Windows Vista here:

MiniMax Guide for Vista (PDF)

Please note, this will only work for the Telstra Turbo Modem drivers, not with the drivers provided by Bigpond..

You can download the TTM drivers from http://www.maxoncdma.com.au/news.php

We expect to have a beta driver available for Mac OS tomorrow afternoon. Keep an eye on this space!

We’ve updated our estimated release dates for our remaining Next G modem based on our current development progress.

The updated release dates are as follows:

- Ethernet Docking station for MiniMax : March ‘07
- Industrial Modem : June ‘07
- Quad band (850/900/1900/2100mhz) compatible MiniMax : June ‘07
- Express Card Modem : TBA (the development of this modem will follow after the previous ones are complete

We have unfortunately had to delay the release dates of some of our produts. This is due to our desire to provide the product in a fully functional (and bug free!) state.

Thank you all for your patience!

Getting this device working on Mac OS has certainly been a hot topic. We’re working as fast as we can to get at least a beta of this available. We made significant progress over the weekend, finally removing the last of the major obstacles to actual connection with the modems.

We are in the process now of tidying up a couple of minor bugs (very minor!), and doing some code tidying up.

We will hopefully have a beta available VERY shortly.

I will post more details tomorrow (promise!), and will try to actually have a firm date at least for the beta release.