With the purchase of my first Android device, I wasn’t expecting to get drafted into the Android Army, but somehow it happened.
Maybe it was that little green robot, or the deliciously named updates, or the underdog mentality – whatever the case, the whole openness and cries of “Choice!” are as inspiring as a William Wallace’s, “Freeeeeeedommmmmm!”
With the latest dish of Google Froyo goodness being slowly rolled out with its fancy features like tethering and mobile hotspots (provided the service providers give them the nods), it’s an exciting time to be an Android user.
But not all is what it seems…
Tethering a Temptation?
For example, all of these latest changes bring up the issue of rooting and other non-root tethering app options like PDANet and EasyTether. These non-root options offer the ability for a one-time fee to tether your Android phone to you computer for full Internet access.
You don’t even need to wait for Froyo. You can do these right now.
These apps remain in the Android Market, are well known, and the carriers and Google don’t seem to mind their existence.
Every month, when I see that monthly fee taken out of my bank account by my cellular server provider, I know the execs of that carrier are in their large office with fancy suits and cigars, laughing and tossing my hard-earned cash into the air (at least that’s what I picture).
What should a Christian’s response be to these apps?
These obviously bypass the need to tell your cell service provider that you’re tethering, which also bypasses the need to pay them their intended monthly fees.
On the other hand, you are paying the developers, you’ve already paid for ‘unlimited’ internet access, you don’t intend to use it often, and the Android Market’s Wild West of Apps gives you hope and dreams of openness and potential.
I don’t feel the moral weight of rooting as compared to jailbreaking. Rooting is simply gaining control or access to all files. This gives you the ability to drop some pounds of bloatware, or updating your phone before your carrier ever gets around to it. Whereas jailbreaking is forcing the gates open to run other code opposed to what is authorized.
So when rooting and tethering your phone with non-market apps, you’re using it to gain access to (or is ‘steal’ a better word?) a service you’re not paying for. Well, to me, it seems a little on the wrong side of ethics, let alone good Christian behavior.
Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe I’m polishing that halo above my head a little too much. What do you think?
Ben Miller says
This might be slightly off-topic, but I do not understand the aversion to jailbreaking. Yes, Apple says not to do it. Why do I need to do everything Apple says, just because I bought their product? (I have an iPod Touch.)
If you own a car, the owners manual says to get service only at authorized dealers. They say this because the manufacturer gets money from their dealers. However, if I choose to go to an independent garage, or do the maintenance myself using after market parts, I don’t think this is a immoral, even though the car manufacturer gets less money from me as a result. I see jailbreaking the same way.
Brett Barner says
No worries. I knew this might raise eyebrows. Jailbreaking, in and of itself, is a bit of a moral debacle. Personally, I’m on the fence myself about jailbreaking. I owned an iPhone, and never did it because there wasn’t a need for me to. However with rooting and Android, I’d be more inclined to do so. (bar me using root for evil 🙂 )
Check out this related article (or debate) from Church IT: https://churchm.ag/innovation-at-any-cost-on-jailbreaking-iphones-hacking-in-ministry/
Whether you feel it is immoral or not, I feel it’s something that’s worth knowing both sides of the argument before you decide.
Tim Owens says
“Whereas jailbreaking is forcing the gates open to run other code opposed to what is authorized.”
The rights of the company that sold me a device end when money changes hands. I own the device now so I don’t buy the argument that I should have a moral obligation to only run on it what a company says I should. I understand Apple’s reasons for not allowing certain apps in the app store. I also understand they haven’t pursued or prosecuted a single person for jailbreaking their phone. I think the message is clear, “If you want to jailbreak you’re on your own for support and things happen.” and I’m ok with that risk.
Bottom line: I paid for both the data I am using as well as the device(s) I’m using. I see no ethical problems with that.
Brett Barner says
With a new contract with AT&T now, it’s more simpler in this case. Their service has changed from unlimited plus an additional tethering fee to just 2GB of data….but you can use that 2GB to tether if you so desire.
However with older AT&T contracts and other carriers, if they knew you were tethering on a non-tethering account would lead to suspensions and/or high overage fees. To me, that sounds like they for sure don’t want you to do that though.
This is just a rebuttal by the way. I hope this doesn’t come across are argumentative. 🙂
Tim Owens says
Tethering will actually cost $20 per month in addition to using your original 2GB so it’s quite the gouging. Partly why I moved to Verizon a few months back with Android. Verizon hasn’t said whether they plan to charge for the built-in tether feature in Froyo yet but for now I’m rooted running wireless tether and couldn’t be happier.
Cheers 🙂
Brett Barner says
You’re right, my bad. But you will still have to share on that precious 2GB even with the $20 additional fee. 🙂
Same here. It’ll be interesting to see what happens with Froyo, Verizon, and Tethering. They may even cut that feature out and fill it with their own (most likely) bloated option.
Another thing to watch is if/when Verizon starts to tier their data plans. Their CEO confirmed that it’s coming for LTE and should be announced later this year.
*sigh
Ben Miller says
Another thought: I’m not sure what the difference is between “rooting” Android and “jailbreaking” iPhoneOS. As far as I can tell, they are the exact same thing: gaining control of your mobile device that the vendor does not want you to have. With both, you can customize your device and run unauthorized software. Both can be used for harmless purposes, and both can potentially be a first step for software piracy.
Am I missing something?
Brett Barner says
That’s the thing with Android. There isn’t much unauthorized with Android software. The only ones I’ve heard of are ones that are malicious or harmful. It’s all open.
Apps are published directly into the market without much screening or authorization. That’s why NES emulators and PDANets are allowed to exist in the market. You can even host and d/l apps for Android without the market and without rooting your phone. Software piracy exists without root.
Rooting allows to you control all aspects of the software. It’s definitely a different mindset coming from Apple. Rooting does void your warrantee though.
That’s why I’m a little more perceptive to Rooting as opposed to Jailbreaking. (Though, for the record, I have never rooted or jailbroke? Jailbroken? any phone that was personally mine)
Ben says
I recently used my phone to tether since my wireless was down for the week and didn’t feel an ounce of guilt. If I am being provided unlimited wireless, then in reality, I am using unlimited wireless. It doesn’t matter how much or how little, I don’t think I should have to pay an extra $30 just to put the same type of device in my computer and have internet when my phone already does it.
Knowing that it doesn’t cost companies hardly anything for text messaging, yet they can charge $15 for unlimited texting and I doubt it costs that much to tether, I am not going to look back and worry about using tethering.
Jailbreaking, I have never done but also see no problem with it. If you jailbreak your phone and ruin it, your warranty is voided. That is the risk you take if you are going to tinker with the hardware. You pay for the phone so you should use it however you want to. Maybe that is the libertarian in me haha.
Eric Frisch says
I’ve been on Android since December and have yet to have a reason to root. I do have EasyTether installed on my phone, but haven’t ever used it (there’s wifi pretty much everywhere I go). If I was in a pinch, I certainly wouldn’t have any problem with it.
Brett Barner says
Same here since April. Granted my decision not to root is easy because there isn’t yet root available for my phone. 🙂 I have PDANet on my phone, but haven’t used it (except to test it out to see if it worked).
I really can’t think of an instance where I’d be forced to use internet on my computer in lieu of my mobile browser, but then again, I still have PDANet still on my phone…
🙂
Adam Shields says
My understanding is that there is a specific exemption in the DMCA that makes it so that it is not illegal to unlock phones. This does not exempt you from violating the contract, but unlocking, jailbreaking, etc. is not illegal, although it may violate the terms of purchase (which have not been challenged as far as I know in court so those terms may themselves be illegal.)
Brett Barner says
I had read that about the DMCA, but never researched it out.
“although it may violate the terms of purchase (which have not been challenged as far as I know in court so those terms may themselves be illegal.)” <<~I've wondered this myself. I've never read my TOS? You?
dewde says
I have every intention of rooting my Droid Incredible when it’s available. I also have every inclination to honor the letter of the licensing agreements to which I am bound when I purchase, or use, software and hardware.
It’s a sticky wicket for sure! GREAT article dude! Something I am struggling with myself!
peace | dewde
Tim says
I just recently got an Evo through Sprint. They charge an extra $30 for wireless tethering. I noticed that my phone offers the option to tether via USB whenever I plugger in. I haven’t tried it yet but I assume it’ll work. To me it seems that I have no use for wireless tethering if USB tethering works. That’s just me though.
Good article with some interesting thoughts. Way to stay controversial, Brett!
Brett Barner says
Wireless tethering is great for when you can’t tether by USB (eg. iPods, iPads, etc.), but for the most part, I wouldn’t want to tether wirelessly for any kind of extended period of time. Not sure if the battery would actually survive. 🙂