DISQUS

louisgray.com: http://blog.louisgray.com/2009/06/what-makes-more-sense-iphone-tethering.html

  • Araceli · 6 months ago
    Personally, I've pondered getting a wireless card and using it for internet access at home and away. But I couldn't justify the extra expense. I've only really needed it every once in a while. Like on really long car trips. Or at a hotel where wifi is only in the lobby. Or when moving to a new place and I haven't gotten the password to the internet yet. Etc. So, tethering was the way to go.
  • Rodfather · 6 months ago
    A MiFi made the most sense to me. Tethering definitely drains the battery. Having an alternative connection than AT&T to get to the web is always better in my area. I don't need to plug it into a laptop to get connected since it's a WiFi hotspot. So far, I've been mostly using it with the iPhone, netbook, and camera with an Eye-Fi card.
  • MarinaMartin · 6 months ago
    Well, which is faster? And if they're comparably fast, which is cheaper?

    I bought my iPhone primarily because I wanted access to apps over 3G (ruling out the Touch), but my primary phone is a Blackberry 8830 which I can tether via Verizon ($15/mo for up to 5GB). It tethers via Bluetooth, which adds to the "cool" factor because my phone can be in my purse but I can surf from my laptop over its connection.

    There's no way Apple will let you use your existing unlimited data for tethering. They'll limit you, and charge you extra for the privilege to tether at all... so either way you're looking at an extra monthly expense.
  • Bryce Roney · 6 months ago
    I think that if you just want to use 3G data once in a while, then tethering is perfectly adequate, but when you need 3G connectivity regularly, i.e on a train each day, then a seperate mobile card makes sense. In addition, data allowances on mobile cards are usually more generous than those on mobile phone plans.
  • Darren · 6 months ago
    iPhone tethering would be GREAT but also note that AT&T tends to upcharge for tethering usage. With all other smartphones that have tethering abilities, the $30 per month unlimited data plan becomes a $60 per month unlimited tethering plan. (text messaging is still not included).

    It's certainly a smart feature OPTION, but for the additional price, it makes a dedicated card seem that much more reasonable.
  • abrudtkuhl · 6 months ago
    I am looking for the exact same solution as you - without adding an additional monthly payment... I only need it once in awhile
  • faryl · 6 months ago
    I'd rather limit myself to one device if possible - but AT&T doesn't exact win any loyalty points from me with their coverage/fees.

    Tethering is great - but drains the currrent iPhone battery to an extent that it powers down even when plugged in (it also gets HOT). Wondering if an AT&T supported tethering option (vs a hack) would address that.

    To answer your concern about having the phone connected to your MacBook - it seems to work over wifi (or bluetooth?) on a jailbroken phone, so the main issue is keeping the phone powered up.

    Curious to see what you end up doing - thanks for the post!
  • hrovat · 6 months ago
    . Tethering definitely drains the battery. yes
  • sfoskett · 6 months ago
    I'm a firm believer in the wireless router. It lets all of my devices use my 3G connection as well as my friends' devices! I've got a Sprint USB 3G adapter for my Mac and a Cradlepoint battery-powered wireless router. Awesome!
    http://blog.fosketts.net/2008/08/18/iphone-on-s...
  • moonmac · 6 months ago
    You already have the iPhone; when it first came out there WAS a tethering application that worked via Bluetooth. ATT ordered it pulled. I say badger ATT to get with the Apple program and stop being so greedy.