Tethering, which is the ability for one device, usually a computer or laptop, to connect and use a smartphone’s mobile network as it’s own for internet access, has typically been banned because of the obvious increase of bandwidth.
But, it’s not a new technology and has been available on handsets, like the iPhone, as long as you “jailbreak” it or purchase an app that allows that feature and functionality (which Apple hasn’t really ok’d either).
But it seems like Android is going to make it a mainstay in their public (and legal) offering and that might just be the thing that makes me convert to it finally…
All I can say is “Yes!”
And, it would mean that I don’t have to order a 3G version of my iPad…
I’m definitely going to stay abreast of this to see if it actually does come to fruition (praying hard).
[HT: TechCrunch]
John Saddington
I am the CEO of 8BIT and a Full Time Entrepreneur/a>. I like what I do.
The funny thing is I switched from Verizon to T-Mobile in 2002 b/c T-Mobile offered bluetooth phones which was being used in the new 12″ Powerbook. I was tethering via bluetooth with a Sony Ericsson phone back then (was like $20 for 10MB!)Granted the capabilities i have now on the iPhone are the same as why i was using tethering, mostly email, but i really which Apple/AT&T would allow that on the iPhone. Been using a Clear Spot with my iPad, though a little bulky it works great in Dallas.
clear spot? hmm.
Of course technically the iPhone has had tethering since last summer. But we all know that a phone feature lives and dies by the carrier. I’ll be interested to see if any U.S. carriers plan to allow this.
yes. USA < everywhere.
iPhone tethering has been available on Rogers since it was supported by the OS. At first it was a temporary thing but now they’ve said it’s a permanent feature as part of any plan which includes 1GB+ data. (We don’t have unlimited data plans in Canada like you do on AT&T and most data plans are very expensive – $40/month for 500MB!)
I can’t tell you how incredible tethering has been for me. With my laptop and iPhone I have my office no matter where I am – no worries about stealing wifi or the lame coffee shop connection that seems to cut out every few minutes. No matter where I am, if I’ve got cell phone signal, I’m online.
The idea of tethering my iPhone to an iPad (which I don’t have) is a pretty intriguing one. I’m guessing that you’d have to jailbreak the iPad to make that happen but it all becomes one pretty cool solution to the idea of having a ultra-portable office.
yes. see above. USA < everywhere...
yeah, i’d love to get my iPad up and running….!
Very weird, I actually had an idea for an article for ChurchDrop discussing this very thing. Had a huge comment all written up, but I think I may save it for an article submission… 🙂
sweet! love to see it.
I already love my Android phone, but this would definitely be a great feature to add! I’ll be praying right along with you! 😛
hah.
Which phone and carrier are you thinking of going with? I’m considering the HTC Evo with Sprint and the HTC Incredible with Verizon. I’d love to know what you’re eying.
was looking at that the other day… haven’t landed yet.
Do you think that the iPhone has any hope of tethering and being above the law?
i think they’ll create one… i hope….. maybe…….. not…..
Interestingly enough, I was going through my Google Reader and read this post while tethering on my Android 🙂
I love that it can also become a hot spot wireless access point in the future. My friend has that feature now, but he rooted his phone.
hmm. … DOH!
Wow, I didn’t know tethering was generally banned in the US. One of the largest carriers in Canada, Rogers, supports it on any iPhone with a data plan over 1gb. Yay Canada:)
USA < Canada.
soooo, what do you think of the AT&T Tethering rumour?
but you know what, I say this very quietly, what actually is tethering?