Apple and AT&T Discussing Official Tethering Option for iPhone?

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)

Gizmodo reports (http://gizmodo.com/5043218/rumor-apple-and-att-developing-iphone-tethering-plan) on an alleged email Steve Jobs sent to one of their readers. The email was in response to a complaint that AT&T is not offering a tethering option for the iPhone, even though it is offered on other smartphones as a $30/month add-on. The response acknowledged Apple and AT&T were discussing the option: We agree, and are discussing it with ATT.

Steve'Tethering' allows users to connect their laptops to the internet by using their mobile phone as the internet connection. The lack of a tethering option for the iPhone was highlighted recently due to the enormous interest in Nullriver's Netshare application (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/07/31/nullriver-introduces-3g-edge-tethering-app-for-iphone/) which was temporarily available through the App Store.

As mentioned above, AT&T does offer an official tethering option for many of its smartphones as an additional $30/month charge.

Article Link (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/08/28/apple-and-atandt-discussing-official-tethering-option-for-iphone/)

[Schizoid]

I agree, and we're discussing it with AT&T and ATT and also AT-AT

Steve

Sent from something

[Rondue]

30 dollar Add-on..... LMAO! I <3 T-Mobile

[bytethese]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)

Gizmodo reports (http://gizmodo.com/5043218/rumor-apple-and-att-developing-iphone-tethering-plan) on an alleged email Steve Jobs sent to one of their readers. The email was in response to a complaint that AT&T is not offering a tethering option for the iPhone, even though it is offered on other smartphones as a $30/month add-on. The response acknowledged Apple and AT&T were discussing the option:'Tethering' allows users to connect their laptops to the internet by using their mobile phone as the internet connection. The lack of a tethering option for the iPhone was highlighted recently due to the enormous interest in Nullriver's Netshare application (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/07/31/nullriver-introduces-3g-edge-tethering-app-for-iphone/) which was temporarily available through the App Store.

As mentioned above, AT&T does offer an official tethering option for many of its smartphones as an additional $30/month charge.

Article Link (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/08/28/apple-and-atandt-discussing-official-tethering-option-for-iphone/)

Hmm, now that I did upgrade to a 3G, I wonder if should have purchased Netshare. Regardless, I'd be interested to see how much a sanctioned iPhone tethering plan would go for. Further, would it be a simple SOCKS proxy or will it allow for all network connections to flow through the iPhone?

[bytethese]

30 dollar Add-on..... LMAO! I <3 T-Mobile

Yeah, I ballsack T-Mobile too. The service with them on my Blackberry is awful. :)

[KindredMAC]

Yeah, I ballsack T-Mobile too. The service with them on my Blackberry is awful. :)

OMG! Thank you! I needed a laugh this morning. It even caused me to call others over to my office to read it!

But back on topic: I'm not sure I think $30/month is a good option, at least for me. I would only need the tethering option 4 weeks a year total. Wonder if they could offer a "lite" version of the charge?

Damn! Knew I should have picked up NetShare!!!!!!!!

[DaLurker]

About time, in Canada the Rogers data plan allows for tethering so I would like to see an official tethering option, preferably through iTunes and via USB.

[odinsride]

An additional $30?? With my old Cingular 8125 I could tether free of charge. I'm not interested in tethering for $30 extra per month..may as well subscribe to a decent 3g air card service.

[xraydoc]

I picked up Netshare right before it was pulled (for the second, final time) but haven't actually tried it out yet. I'd love a simple tethering option, but $30 seems kinda steep, doesn't it? Unless it removes the data caps on the "unlimited" iPhone data plan...

[Full of Win]

10.00$ per month, no more.

I'm sending this using Netshare, and would like to have that tinge of worry they will send me some huge bill

[paulyras]

With the AT&T network being apparently strained already, can you imagine if tons of additional people start tethering. I hate to be the turd in the punchbowl, but if they don't do some serious network tweaking and upgrading, the thing might grind to a complete halt...

BTW- I second the ballsacking of T-Mobile. Love them or hate them, AT&T is night and day better the tMo.

[spazattack674]

AT&T should offer either free Wi-Fi at its hotspots for wireless customers or at least offer a tethering plan like the one being described here.

[iPhelim]

I would guess that if this does come to fruition quickly we'll see it in iTunes 8. For now, i'm more than happy with NetShare though :)

[azentropy]

I happened to be traveling when NetShare was released and wasn't able to download it in time.

I would like to be able to tether my iPhone to MB from time to time (a few times a year), but $30 extra a month is ridiculous. We already pay $30 for a Data plan. But I'd pay an extra $5 a month if it was a full tethering option and not just a proxy option the way NetShare is.

[mtor82]

wow i can't afford ANOTHER $30/month why should i pay more if i already have an UNLIMITED data plan???:confused:

[topgunn]

I would have thought it would be "He bought a case, headphones and a dock at the Apple Store."
Comma's incite more discussion on these forums than all other punctuation combined.

And I would use "case, headphones, and a dock" but I am a comma whore.

[Ultimatetone]

I'm not sure I think $30/month is a good option, at least for me.
I would only need the tethering option 4 weeks a year total.

With the $30.00 tethering option currently offered at AT&T (for certain smartphones they offer, not iPhone),
AT&T allows you to use/not use the tethering on a 'month-to-month' basis, even with a contract in place.

Granted, I am not sure what the user needs to do before the next month's bill is generated
to let AT&T know you won't be using tethering next month (or until further notice), but it can be done.

I'm not interested in tethering for $30 extra per month..may as well subscribe to a decent 3g air card service.

On the other hand, AT&T (just for comparison) offers a 3G aircard type service, but it requires a 2 year contract,
is $60.00 a month, and does not carry the 'month-to-month' option, as I explained above.


Ultimatetone

[mobi]

I would rather not Jailbreak my iPhone just to get a copy of Netshare up and running, however an additional $30 tethering plan is out of the question.

[FightTheFuture]

i don't like adding a $30/mo tethering plan, but if it were to include at&ts broadbandconnect express cards or USB adapters it would be perfect.
30 dollar Add-on..... LMAO! I <3 T-Mobile
i just checked t-mobiles site and couldn't find one plan with a tethering option. just normal $19.99/mo data plans. i'm not saying that people aren't doing it, but if enough users are tethering their smartphones or blackberrys then they probably will wind up paying for it soon. seeing as how t-mobile just recently got onto 3G this summer means tethering plans are probably in the works.

[damacus]

I pay $80/month to AT&T including taxes/regs for a full plan on my 8525 phone, and it has bluetooth Personal Area Network tethering. That's $70/month before taxes/regs, and I'm pretty sure THAT's what the $30/month option means.

The iPhone already costs more than that and already HAS unlimited data on top of the normal voice plan, so they need to allow tethering for free, or for almost nothing extra. (No more than $5.)

Fishbowl in a turd or not, tethering is EXPENSIVE in terms of battery life. The phone has both the bluetooth and carrier radios up continuously for the duration. You're also burning battery power on your laptop at the same time. Also, even with 3G, its almost always slower than wifi. I have unlimited ability, but I pretty much only use it two or three times a month, usually for less than an hour.

It's an important tool and a very nice backup to have. When I'm in a bind and absolutely need to connect to the VPN at work and remote desktop to my desktop at the office or use any OSX server tools (say I get a phone call on the road) from pretty much wherever I am. I don't have to go looking for a wifi hotspot.

If I'm paying $80 or more a month, I better have this ability. I'm not going to get an iPhone so long as it continues to represent a step backwards in personal connectivity options.

[benpatient]

...and if tethering were free i would consider an iphone

[supremedesigner]

$30 dollars sounds almost like having your own internet plan at home. Too pricey.

Let me get this straight.... tethering acts like "apple airport", right? Thanks.

[iPave]

Luckily here in Finland we don't have to pay extra for tethering:p

[d_saum]

Maybe once AT&T gets their 3g network up to snuff... until then, I wouldn't pay a dime for tethering. Even then, $30 a month? Yikes..

[jayducharme]

wow i can't afford ANOTHER $30/month why should i pay more if i already have an UNLIMITED data plan???:confused:

These are my thoughts as well. AT&T doesn't offer any home internet service in my area. I have Verizon DSL, and that's costing me $40 a month. Why pay that if the iPhone truly has "unlimited" data? (But we all know that's just marketing hype.) Tethering is the way to go -- if AT&T's network could handle it.

I too am kicking myself that I didn't grab Netshare when it was available.... :(

[Stately]

Tethering for more $. I'm so sick of AT&T. I already can't use this 3G nonsense that I'm paying for because of them, It takes like 15 min's to actually get a downloaded app to be completely usable on the iphone; it doesn't download and start right away. Now I'm supposed to pay for what my phone already does for free right? This is ridiculous. The iphone 3G is garbage, it has so many problems, I wish I hadn't wrecked my original iphone. :(:mad:

[Stately]

Luckily here in Finland we don't have to pay extra for tethering:p

Unfortunately here, greed seems to take precedence. We need some change I guess . . . Uhh . . Obama is that you lol? Ok just jokin' lol.

[Ultimatetone]

With the $30.00 tethering option currently offered at AT&T (for certain smartphones they offer, not iPhone),
AT&T allows you to use/not use the tethering on a 'month-to-month' basis, even with a contract in place.

Granted, I am not sure what the user needs to do before the next month's bill is generated
to let AT&T know you won't be using tethering next month (or until further notice), but it can be done.

On the other hand, AT&T (just for comparison) offers a 3G aircard type service, but it requires a 2 year contract,
is $60.00 a month, and does not carry the 'month-to-month' option, as I explained above.

Does AT&T 'allow' a legit tethering option when using GOPhone (prepaid)?
Anyone know if there is an AT&T-Branded, GOPhone-capable(prepaid), phone model that can provide tethering (via a cable, not Bluetooth)?


Ultimatetone

[kobefan234]

They should just put netshare back up!

[Digital Skunk]

They need to talk about unlocking it, or lowering the price of the plans and improving coverage area for 3G.

Tethering is about fifth in line of all the other things they have to work out.

[michaelsviews]

Well considering that the 3G network is NOT what it says it is where I am and is down more than being up , I'd have to stick with Netshare for what little time I do tether. This 3G is outdated and Verizon will have 4G by end of 2009 or early 2010 but they also charge for tethering and I believe its 30 dollars a month also.

Greed has gotten the best of these companies and others alike. TMO in germany is awesome, here in the states there so limited .

Still waiting on Googles Android and see where that goes. I know one thing for sure is I will not update iTunes, or the iPhone anymore because of all the senseless problems Apple seems to be having, Kinda feel like I am back on the DARK SIDE at times

[Rocketman]

AT&T offers a family plan with a $9.95 per device fee. That includes a separate phone number and concurrent usage.

It seems right I should be able to add "devices" with separate access for $9.95 per month with concurrent use or "tether" to an existing device on a shared data line for free.

So if I tether my iBook to my iPhone, that should be free. If I have a 3G/EDGE device for my iBook and also have a primary phone and data plan already, that should be $9.95.

Especially if the various devices are for the same person. How many devices can you actually use concurrently? Especially from the SAME cell tower.

Samples:
iPhone
iBook
iMac
Media Center

It sucks when the broadband goes down, your device no longer even has a modem installed and you have no backup plan. 3G would be that modem alternative.

Rocketman

[fourthtunz]

Luckily here in Finland we don't have to pay extra for tethering:p

Yeah but the sheeple here in the states can be taken for all they are worth.:(
Monopolies are a way of doing business here, we've paid for all their infrastructure and we keep paying.
AtT needs a class action lawsuit to wake them up.
I won't pay the extra $15 per month that att wants for the new phone, which they charge whether you have 3g or not, why would I pay $30 for something I can do without att?
Maybe Netshare will launch a lawsuit?

[CWallace]

With the AT&T network being apparently strained already, can you imagine if tons of additional people start tethering. I hate to be the turd in the punchbowl, but if they don't do some serious network tweaking and upgrading, the thing might grind to a complete halt...

The problem is not just AT&T's 3G network, but the iPhone 3G 2.0.0 and 2.0.1 firmware. It has been shown that the 2.0.2 firmware fixes this and as more people update their iPhone 3Gs to this firmware, the network service improves. So AT&T can require 2.0.2 or later for the tethering app to function and that will ensure everyone tethering is using the proper, non-impacting firmware. Though they do appear to need to improve the total bandwidth their 3G network can provide.

[happydude]

$30/mo is way to expensive for the 6 times i might use it per year. isn't the plan "unlimited" data? if they charge for tethering, they'll have to change the language of the contract, wouldn't they?

[alphaod]

No this $30 addon with the smartphone data plan, not an additional $30 on top of the existing plan—that's how it is with existing smartphones, so I would assume it's the same idea for the iPhone?

[amac4me]

Please let this be true and out soon. I would love to cancel my current mobile broadband service that I have with another provider.

[Niiro13]

wow i can't afford ANOTHER $30/month why should i pay more if i already have an UNLIMITED data plan???:confused:

Unlimited data is for the phone, which they know won't take up as much bandwidth as a computer (there WILL be a couple people out of the millions that decide to download 1 GB things with tethering...stupid...but there will be). If you think about it, it's the same as getting an unlimited data plan for your phone, then getting an unlimited data plan for your computer...the difference? You don't have to buy another SIM card.

I dislike tethering because while it's nice...it kills the network...on iPhone 3G launch day, the network was slowed (albeit part of the 2.0 power algorithm...but still...)

[Enigmafan420]

ANOTHER $30?!? WTF-It would sure appear that AT&T's goal in life is to bleed as much money from us as possible.

I got Netshare installed (wink), AND I got boss preferences installed and the "Kill Switch" is turned off :D Glad I did it when I was able...

[breeze]

[QUOTE=We agree, and are discussing it with ATT.

Steve

you never put a comma before the word and...

Steve is to well read and educated to write this way.
We know how meticulous he his - This is an eHead's mistake.

[Saladinos]

Cool. Steve seems to be responding to a lot of emails now, doesn't he?

It's hard to tell whether this is because more customers are unhappy, or more fanboys are making it up.

[chadder007]

An EXTRA 30 a month to tether a laptop to an existing internet connection? Thats freaking insane. :mad:

[OriginalMacRat]

Yeah, I ballsack T-Mobile too. The service with them on my Blackberry is awful. :)

It's just your Crackberry is awful.

T-Mobile service works just fine on my Sony Ericsson P910. Flat fee internet service and no tethering issues.

[Object-X]

If they offered a tethering option I would probably upgrade my iPhone. At this point, I see little reason to upgrade to 3G. I've used a AT&T 3G data card, but was unimpressed with it's performance and stability. I returned it, hoping a tethering option would eventually become available.

An iPhone tethering capability would be an ideal companion to the MacBook Air. I'm surprised Apple didn't more aggressively push for this before launching the new iPhone and extending AT&Ts contract. It should have been included at no extra cost for 3G buyers.

[thestaton]

I would rather not Jailbreak my iPhone just to get a copy of Netshare up and running, however an additional $30 tethering plan is out of the question.

I feel the same way... Unfortunately it looks like that's the route we are going to have to take.

30 extra dollars a month is lulz.

[RogueWarrior65]

I've got a big problem with double-dipping on data transfer fees. Okay sure in theory tethering would lead to more use of bandwidth. If that's true then they should lower the cost of the basic data plan to $9.95 or $4.95. Aside from that, what if you don't live in a 3G area but still want to tether to get your e-mail on your laptop? IMHO, being forced to revert to 2.5G should be pro-rated.

[Small White Car]

With the AT&T network being apparently strained already, can you imagine if tons of additional people start tethering. I hate to be the turd in the punchbowl, but if they don't do some serious network tweaking and upgrading, the thing might grind to a complete halt...


Agreed.

Doesn't $30 a month strike you as more of a punishment than a fee?

I think AT&T agrees with you and is trying to keep people from tethering. If they wanted your money, they'd charge less. $30 will keep most away, which is exactly what they want.

It's funny how people are complaining that it's too expensive. I'm pretty sure that's the point!

[bytethese]

It's just your Crackberry is awful.

T-Mobile service works just fine on my Sony Ericsson P910. Flat fee internet service and no tethering issues.

Not really, I get no T-Mobile service at my home in Manhattan either! :)

[Maxington]

I smell a rat on this one. However, I do think this is a possibility.

[LimeiBook86]

Of course, it would be nice if AT&T gave iPhone users a break and included tethering into their unlimited EDGE/3G data plan, meaning no additional cost. But of course this is AT&T we're talking about. ;)

Still it would be nice to have the option. :D

[phinnaeus]

I refuse to buy an iPhone until this is resolved. It was one of my favorite things about my old 3G phone, and it worked flawlessly.

[pmzpocket]

So how much would you guys pay for the tethering option?

I can tell you right now how much I'd pay for it: $0

We are currently paying $30 a month for UNLIMITED data. UNLIMITED has only one definition, so if they intend to not breach the contract of every iphone 3g user, they had better offer it for free.

[Enigmafan420]

So how much would you guys pay for the tethering option?

I can tell you right now how much I'd pay for it: $0

We are currently paying $30 a month for UNLIMITED data. UNLIMITED has only one definition, so if they intend to not breach the contract of every iphone 3g user, they had better offer it for free.

NetShare baby! If you know how...

[Small White Car]

We are currently paying $30 a month for UNLIMITED data [on the iPhone only]. UNLIMITED [data on the iPhone only] has only one definition, so if they intend to not breach the contract of every iphone 3g user, they had better offer [unlimited data on the iPhone only] for free.

We've gone ahead and fixed your post to reflect the contract you actually signed.

You're welcome!

-AT&T

[ncbill]

Anyone who wants can tether already, without buying Netshare.

And all the requests look like they're coming from the iPhone, so as long as you are discreet Apple can't tell whether you're tethering or not.

[deputy_doofy]

I am finally at a point where, if Apple kills their contract with AT&T and goes with all available carriers in the U.S., I will probably leave AT&T. I know no company is perfect, but I've been with AT&T since the beginning (Comcast Metrophone -> Cellular One -> Cingular -> AT&T). As AT&T, I don't like them, nor do I like how they feel they can charge whatever since they're the only real way to have an iPhone in the U.S.

I wonder if AT&T realizes they need a contingency plan for when their contract with Apple ends and people leave in droves.

[Enigmafan420]

I am finally at a point where, if Apple kills their contract with AT&T and goes with all available carriers in the U.S., I will probably leave AT&T. I know no company is perfect, but I've been with AT&T since the beginning (Comcast Metrophone -> Cellular One -> Cingular -> AT&T). As AT&T, I don't like them, nor do I like how they feel they can charge whatever since they're the only real way to have an iPhone in the U.S.

I wonder if AT&T realizes they need a contingency plan for when their contract with Apple ends and people leave in droves.

I was a cellular one customer too-long ago-AT&T started to suck when they bought out Cellular One and we left for T-Mobile (Which I love, other than no 3-G). At this time apparently other people began to hate them too-as they nearly went out of business (huge churn) and were only saved by Cingular.

AT&T works nearly EVERYWHERE I go-so that is good. But their customer service is a NIGHTMARE (don't try to call on Sunday-hope you don't loose your phone then) and their a-la-carte pricing for everything is brutal.

[Enigmafan420]

I am finally at a point where, if Apple kills their contract with AT&T and goes with all available carriers in the U.S., I will probably leave AT&T. I know no company is perfect, but I've been with AT&T since the beginning (Comcast Metrophone -> Cellular One -> Cingular -> AT&T). As AT&T, I don't like them, nor do I like how they feel they can charge whatever since they're the only real way to have an iPhone in the U.S.

I wonder if AT&T realizes they need a contingency plan for when their contract with Apple ends and people leave in droves.

Of course, I just don't see Apple making a CDMA version of this phone-they gave the chance to Verizon who basically flipped them the bird-so I doubt they get a second chance. And Sprint is where AT&T was before the Cingular buy-out-HUGE CHURN and not doing well.

And-since the world is GSM. I dunno-I can't see any changes, even after the "exclusivity period" is over.

[Scooterman1]

Three points here:
1. Netshare isn't actually Tethering, but I guess they are claiming it might be and that is why they removed it from the App Store.
2. If AT&T agrees to place a Tethering Plan in place for the iPhone, then Netshare should be placed back on the App Store along with any competition. But Apple should be sued if Apple Makes it available and it isn't opened up to companies like Netshare who had it in an App first.
3. A lower per month fee (less than $30/mo) with cancellation anytime would be great.

[MrSmith]

Big Jobs usually shows a better grasp of punctuation. I call fake.

[essinger]

Does AT&T 'allow' a legit tethering option when using GOPhone (prepaid)?

I read the "gophone" contract and I concluded that tethering is not prohibited. A merged document about the MediaNET service prohibits it when used with other types of service agreements, but not with prepaid plans. But AT&T is probably free to cancel your account for any reason it sees fit as this is a two-sided month to month agreement.

Anyone know if there is an AT&T-Branded, GOPhone-capable(prepaid), phone model that can provide tethering (via a cable, not Bluetooth)?
Ultimatetone

I don't know that specific answer. But if you remove the AT&T-Branded part, the answer is definately yes.

[ZLurker]

An EXTRA 30 a month to tether a laptop to an existing internet connection? Thats freaking insane. :mad:

Yea?! When i read things like this i really kick someone in the nuts. Who comes up with such a stupid idea? Its like i buy a pair of nike shues, and they say:
-Sales person: NO! You are not allowed to run in these, than you have to upgrade them.
-Me: WTF?! They are comfy i like them, id like to try running with them.
-Sales person: NO! You must walk, or we will tie you laces together.

Btw, is it possible to browse the file structure in the iphone, ie could i have an app that downloads complete hompages, "wget" style, or files from ftp servers, and then connect it to my computer to browse the webpage "offline"?

[jlanuez]

I would guess that if this does come to fruition quickly we'll see it in iTunes 8. For now, i'm more than happy with NetShare though :)

I bought NetShare (the second time around I grabbed it!) and it does work.
If I have a signal, I would 99% of the time not need my laptop as I'd have my iPhone. There is NO WAY I'm paying AT&T any more $ than my 2 unlimited plans now! The costs are already crazy!!! This should just be an added feature for the "unlimited" plan!

If I have some ODD occasion that I need to tether, I will. Otherwise, I got it, set it up, tested it (it works!) and I won't use it unless I really need it.

I think AT&T SUCKS. I had Sprint for 10 years before switching over on iPhone day and I get LOADS of dropped calls, and places where I get NO signal. It was soooo much cheaper and a better connection with Sprint!
Although I had to use PALM based phones for years... :mad:

I do love the :apple:iPhone though...

[The Tall One]

Why the hell do they need to charge you SO MUCH MORE? Is a packet not a packet? Why does it matter if its an iphone or a laptop that is accessing the internet over the 3G network? They are just figuring out clever ways to skewer you and take all of your hard-earned money. Damn government... I mean... AT&T... whatever... its the man taking all your money and giving it to his elite friends. Vote Obama. :D

[gnasher729]

wow i can't afford ANOTHER $30/month why should i pay more if i already have an UNLIMITED data plan???:confused:

Nobody knows what tethering for the iPhone would cost. $30/month is the cost for other smart phones, which likely don't have an unlimited plan.

On the other hand, the monthly fee for your "unlimited" plan is calculated under the assumption that you are an average iPhone user, and that an average iPhone user would use much less data than the average computer user. If you were to cancel your broadband connection and use iPhone + tethering instead to download 5 GB Linux distributions then AT&T wouldn't be happy with that.

If Apple provides the application and the phone company has no other cost than the cost of providing the data, I think a fair offer would be: Tethering for free up to say 100MB per month; above that you can purchase tethering for one month at a time at a normal rate (in the UK, I can buy an internet connection on a USB stick for about £20 for 3 GB per month).

[skubish]

Reading this thread makes me laugh. All these people expecting that tethering should be free. You probably think Apple should just give and Macs and the companies should make no money.

Get real. $30/month for tethering is reasonable considering they charge $60 for a data card.

[tgildred]

Another $30 seems a little steep to me. But what do I know, all mobile plans seem steep to me.

[!nteresting]

Oh my gosh, is AT&T trying to charge us for this feature? The price of the monthly plan for the iPhone is high enough, it should be free!

[ZLurker]

Reading this thread makes me laugh. All these people expecting that tethering should be free. You probably think Apple should just give and Macs and the companies should make no money.

Get real. $30/month for tethering is reasonable considering they charge $60 for a data card.

First, i dont own an iPhone, so maby i shouldn't complain but here is my problem.
You pay for a data card, its right inside the iPhone. With unlimited data i can surf and download as much as i like. I can make an app that continuously download a file from a server and then deletes it, and downloads it again.

What i do with the data i downloaded is non of their business (in my opinion).
For me, this is all about capitalizing on something that is fictive, they are not contributing anything for the extra XX$ per month that the consumer would pay.

But i do agree ppl sometimes complain about paying when its called for, i for example payed every piece of software i use.

[kingtj]

No, but I think the carriers make plenty of money off their customers already, and place far too many limitations on the things they advertise as being "unlimited".

$60 a month for data cards they get away with because those are complete, stand-alone subscriptions. You don't need to have a cellphone or phone number assigned with the carrier to activate a data card with them. Most of their customers for that are businesses, willing to pay whatever they have to pay (within SOME reason) to ensure a sales force has remote access to a centralized database back at the office, or things along those lines.

By contrast, "tethering" is merely redirection of data you're already allowed to receive on your cellphone. If carriers are *really* so concerned that their cell networks can't handle the load - they should quit advertising the data plans as "unlimited"! Make it clear that, for example, the iPhone data plan includes up to (I dunno? 1GB enough for you?) per month at no additional charge. Or better yet, just turn off their data until the next billing cycle if they exceed the monthly usage allotment -- and prompt them to pay an extra fee to buy another X amount of MB to continue.


Reading this thread makes me laugh. All these people expecting that tethering should be free. You probably think Apple should just give and Macs and the companies should make no money.

Get real. $30/month for tethering is reasonable considering they charge $60 for a data card.

[stagi]

For me tethering would be nice to have every once in awhile if I can't get a wifi spot and need to view something on my larger screen compared to my iPhone but it wouldn't be used much and I wouldn't pay $30/month for it.
Maybe something like $5 month would make it worth it for me.

[cptchipjew]

I have an unlocked recent Sony Ericsson 3G phone and I've been tethering it to my Mac for the last 5 months. AT&T has no idea and my bill hasn't gone up, and last month I must have used at least 10GB of data.

Go and do with that info what you will.

[fourthtunz]

Reading this thread makes me laugh. All these people expecting that tethering should be free. You probably think Apple should just give and Macs and the companies should make no money.

Get real. $30/month for tethering is reasonable considering they charge $60 for a data card.

Um, no I'm already paying the data fee, so no it's not free.
Sure charge me more if I use more than a certain amount, but this is
gouging by monopolies.

[sfh]

So how much would you guys pay for the tethering option?

I can tell you right now how much I'd pay for it: $0

We are currently paying $30 a month for UNLIMITED data. UNLIMITED has only one definition, so if they intend to not breach the contract of every iphone 3g user, they had better offer it for free.

The contract says that they can change it at any time. >>> it only binds you not them

[arn]

Nobody knows what tethering for the iPhone would cost. $30/month is the cost for other smart phones, which likely don't have an unlimited plan.

No, it will certainly be $30/mo extra.

Other smartphones also have the $30/mo unlimited data plan that the iPhone has. In addition to this, you can tether for $30/mo in addition. $60/mo total.

arn

[foobarbaz]

I, too, refuse to buy an iPhone until this is resolved. Seriously Apple, hire a grammar expert! ;)

With the 10$ increase and this, the German iPhone raters appear to look better and better. They already allow tethering (but ironically no IM).

I can understand why they'd charge more... Claiming unlimited data is easy on an iPhone. They already know that the actual use will never be close to that of a landline. Allow tethering, and people are going to use it for everything. Some might even cancel their landline. If they were realistic and marketed the data with a 5GB cap, they wouldn't care what way they are used up. But that just doesn't sound as good as unlimited, does it? As a consequence even the lightest user has to pay up...

That's actually why I prefer the one limited tarif in Germany. Screw unlimited. I rather pay only for what I use.

[fourthtunz]

No, but I think the carriers make plenty of money off their customers already, and place far too many limitations on the things they advertise as being "unlimited".

$60 a month for data cards they get away with because those are complete, stand-alone subscriptions. You don't need to have a cellphone or phone number assigned with the carrier to activate a data card with them. Most of their customers for that are businesses, willing to pay whatever they have to pay (within SOME reason) to ensure a sales force has remote access to a centralized database back at the office, or things along those lines.

By contrast, "tethering" is merely redirection of data you're already allowed to receive on your cellphone. If carriers are *really* so concerned that their cell networks can't handle the load - they should quit advertising the data plans as "unlimited"! Make it clear that, for example, the iPhone data plan includes up to (I dunno? 1GB enough for you?) per month at no additional charge. Or better yet, just turn off their data until the next billing cycle if they exceed the monthly usage allotment -- and prompt them to pay an extra fee to buy another X amount of MB to continue.

And again I will mention that the phone companies have run many scams through congress and that we as taxpayers have already paid for services that we have not received.
Here's one site that shows a little history:
http://www.verizonpathetic.com/historylesson.html

[manhattanboy]

Well I for one am AGAINST the option for laptop connectivity.
I mean Jesus, AT&T can BARELY handle the regular iPhone load, now we are going to stress the network even more.
Yeah, good luck with that!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ryanwarsaw]

Nobody knows what tethering for the iPhone would cost. $30/month is the cost for other smart phones, which likely don't have an unlimited plan.

On the other hand, the monthly fee for your "unlimited" plan is calculated under the assumption that you are an average iPhone user, and that an average iPhone user would use much less data than the average computer user. If you were to cancel your broadband connection and use iPhone + tethering instead to download 5 GB Linux distributions then AT&T wouldn't be happy with that.
.

I don't think it is Linux distributions that would bother them.

[cptchipjew]

No, it will certainly be $30/mo extra.

Other smartphones also have the $30/mo unlimited data plan that the iPhone has. In addition to this, you can tether for $30/mo in addition. $60/mo total.

arn

I wouldn't assume that. AT&T modified their price plans to accommodate the iPhone, so you never know what may happen. I agree though that it probably won't be free.

[cptchipjew]

I don't think it is Linux distributions that would bother them.

AT&T doesn't care what you download. They care about how much you download. Comcast similarly is now imposing a 250GB limit on cable customers. You can download all the porn, software, music and Linux distros that you want. What they care about is the price per GB.

[Chris Rogers]

How are they going to discuss tethering and I can barely make a call or send an e-mail??

[lostngone]

I would be willing to pay up to 5 dollars a month more for this option.

But $30 HAH! Get real...

[Hands Sandon]

told you so!!!!!!

[whooleytoo]

It's still an awkward solution, how long would it take the iPhones battery to run down if you're doing any kind of meaningful transfers through it?

Meh, give me a MB/MBP with a 3G/3.5G/4G/WiMAX chipset in there! :)

[Diode]

$30 dollars sounds almost like having your own internet plan at home. Too pricey.

Let me get this straight.... tethering acts like "apple airport", right? Thanks.

No, most likely it will be done properly with the iphone acting as a "modem" and the mac/pc connected through a cable or bluetooth.

[group09]

It would be a lot nicer to just include it in the iPhone's data plan. However, $30 is a lot less than buying a pcmia card and plan separately (those usually run about $50 a month, right?) And the iPhone's 3G so speeds should be pretty good.

[Rybold]

From Apple's standpoint ...
It would be in Apple's best interest to allow AT&T to provide a tethering option for an additional $30 per month because it would disallow business users from saying "I use a Blackberry because the iPhone does not offer a tethering option." So, for Apple, it would be a benefit to allow AT&T to provide a tethering option for an additional $30 per month.

From my standpoint ...
$30 more per month! I'm already paying $80 per month! If my grandfather knew I was paying $80 a month for a cell phone bill, he'd roll over in his grave!
:apple:
:apple:

[unr1]

30/month LOL

[mac jones]

What i can't understand is why Apple hasn't nuked Netshare (yet)

I guess they could wait until ATT squeals, but that's probably not going to happen as not a lot of bandwidth is being stolen with the apps limited exposure

[TonyHoyle]

I love the way that if you put together a nice looking future device that may or may not be real everyone screams 'photoshop'.

But when someone posts something allegedly from steve jobs (complete with grammatical errors) they all believe it 100%, even though anyone with a keyboard and a copy of textpad could have produced it.

[mac jones]

I sent Steve an email and he wrote me back!

He said that anyone who doubts it's really him is a slime bucket.

(you can tell it's him from the wording)

[Marvin1379]

I hope apple ad AT&T don't disable netshare if they get an official tether option. I have netshare as a last ditch option if I am completely out of range of wifi and *need* to do something on my laptop. I will not be using it on a regular basis. The iPhone can handle 97% of my I Internet browsing.

[twoodcc]

well let's hope they get something out soon

[gianly1985]

You know what is the problem?? The problem is that because of AT&T influence on Apple decisions, we are suffering WORLDWIDE!! (I'm in Italy). It's because of AT&T that we can't have NETSHARE! (or similar software). And that's crazy, because OUR carriers would allow us to use tethering, there's no distinction between data plans for phones and for tethering! The only way is to jailbreak the iphone, but I'm not gonna void my warranty so soon!

At least they could allow Netshare on foreign App Stores (Italian, French, ecc.)....

[BornAgainMac]

I like Steve's quick reply to email. He is always to the point.

I believe it is him only because he sounded like the Quick Reply feature in Mobile Me was something minor that he made a big deal about. And it would be consistent with all the other rumored email from Steve Jobs.

[law684]

I already pay way more than other phone contracts this really should be included

[Rtb1]

so now we see why they pulled the app that could do it, ATT didn't invent the tethering program, and therefore didn't get the revenue.


Incorrect, that's just a very simple punctuation rule that most don't know can be broken.

yeah, all grammar rules can be broken, but it is still redundant phrasing/punctuation.

[gianly1985]

It's still an awkward solution, how long would it take the iPhones battery to run down if you're doing any kind of meaningful transfers through it?

Meh, give me a MB/MBP with a 3G/3.5G/4G/WiMAX chipset in there! :)


The problem is that in this way you have to use 2 sim cards and pay 2 bills! One for iphone and one for your mb!

Ps:
Ever heard about usb-pen-like tiny 3.5G modems? Just plug one of them in your mb and you are done...usb powered...

[EagerDragon]

I may go for an additional 10 a month but not 30. Besides there is no additional cost to AT&T. I browse a lot on my iPhone and most of what I do is on my iPhone now days instead of my laptop. Outside of editing documents on my laptop, all else I can do with the iPhone.

I will not go for 30 extra, no way.

[macshill]

Talk about a having a hot brick out of the oven. You better get this when you're done using the tethering:

http://i35.tinypic.com/4vog89.jpg :p

[DGaio]

And what about the rest of the world? Other countries have this already included in their pricing, and we can't use a function we should be able to use. Just block the app from the US app store until the issue with ATT is resolved and be done with it.

[thechidz]

no thanks, Ill keep my unlocked Sierra aircard thanks

[SkippyThorson]

Yeah, I ballsack T-Mobile too. The service with them on my Blackberry is awful. :)

LMAO - Best. Comeback. Ever.

[MindBrain]

Why not just let people tether as it is now up to the 5 gig bandwidth limit? Then have plans to get extra bandwidth, like an extra 5 gigs for 10 bucks or something.

[jayducharme]

At least they could allow Netshare on foreign App Stores (Italian, French, ecc.)....

The link to Netshare is still on Nullriver's website. But clicking on it brings up iTunes with the message, "The item you've requested is not currently available in the US store." I thought the app was still available overseas. Has it been removed from all iTunes stores worldwide?

[macUser2007]

$30 EXTRA, PER MONTH, to do what I can already as part of my cheaper AT&T data plan I have for my Trinity!??!! I sometimes use tethering when traveling, when there is no wifi. It's convenient, but I can't see why I should pay anything extra for it - I am basically only using a larger screen.

The more I find out about the new 3G iPhone, the more I am inclined to just get a new HTC phone to replace my Trinity, and stick with the first gen iPhone as a regular phone.

They have GPS, but no navigation applications (why, is there really a turn-by-turn problem with the chip??!)
Still no cut & paste?! How long does it take to do something so basic?
Still no landscape keyboard for texting?! Again, a no brainer.

There are so many things I take for granted on my Trinity, like Skype, radio stations (I listen to BBC in my car through it), TV (rarely), etc.. I love the overall look and feel of the iPhone, but if HTC came up with a 16GB phone with the screen of the iPhone, it would be a better bet, IMO.

Anyway, I am still likely to upgrade to a 3G, but $30 for tethering is just for idiots. I'd feel like I have to bend over, every time I grab my iPhone.:eek:

[coryjb]

I really don't mind the extra $30 per month because they prorate the charge. So when I was in the Rockies snowboarding last year and needed to use the Internet, I used to phone up VZW and have them add tethering to my account for $60 per month ($2 per day) and cancel it when I came back from vacation. AT&T would be $1 extra per day. I wouldn't leave the tethering feature on permanently, but rather add and remove it as needed.

[Hands Sandon]

Should be fun reading the posts when people have to pay Apple $20 to get the app!

[mac jones]

It would be great, as someone pointed out , to use the docking cable instead of wifi as this thing gets really hot using Netshare.

Its not designed for this and i'm afraid I'm going to shorten it's life span if I use it to often.

I wonder if this is possible.

[Hands Sandon]

It would be great, as someone pointed out , to use the docking cable instead of wifi as this thing gets really hot using Netshare.

Its not designed for this and i'm afraid I'm going to shorten it's life span if I use it to often.

I wonder if this is possible.

It could be done by Apple,but I very much doubt Apple will ever do it. It's in their own interests to be at the leading edge of wifi,rather than push alternatives.If you could just plug in and surf many people would opt for that instead of wifi,which does not fundamentally serve their interests as they want your phone to give Internet access to lots of seperate gadgets.

[Patrik_L]

The link to Netshare is still on Nullriver's website. But clicking on it brings up iTunes with the message, "The item you've requested is not currently available in the US store." I thought the app was still available overseas. Has it been removed from all iTunes stores worldwide?

Yes, it's removed worldwide, also here in Sweden where the carrier is allowing it. Which, of course, sucks.

[clu10]

Big Jobs usually shows a better grasp of punctuation. I call fake.

uugh, why do people know jobs personally, and since is is on page 1 rumours, and on many other sites, i think it's legit

[clu10]

i just checked t-mobiles site and couldn't find one plan with a tethering option.

tethering is free with t-mobile, i <3 my blackberry pearl

[econoline06]

This forum never ceases to amaze me...finally the iPhone may offer tethering yet this topic has more negatives than positives...amazing. What would satisfy you? FREE tethering? Everything costs money...

Ridiculous things like touch screen Mac's get almost all positives but this gets more negs?? :confused:

[vvebsta]

This forum never ceases to amaze me...finally the iPhone may offer tethering yet this topic has more negatives than positives...amazing. What would satisfy you? FREE tethering? Everything costs money...

Ridiculous things like touch screen Mac's get almost all positives but this gets more negs?? :confused:

Aren't we paying for UNLIMITED data from AT&T!!!?? Why should we pay more to display the same data on a bigger screen? Its like paying $30 a month to hook your laptop up to your big screen tv. ~ITS THE SAME FREAKING INTERNET!!!~ Everything is the same... the data, the speed, the cellular connection. People are stupid to pay $30 dollars for something they already have! That's daylight robbery imho.

[lucasmonger]

I can understand doing USB tethering to keep power going to the iPhone, but I've got to wonder what Bluetooth tethering is going to do to clobber battery life. Especially if you're trying to download the Apple iPhone SDK to your laptop thru your phone.

I can't wait for it to become available, but again, I'm not sure I want to pay even more given I'm already paying a lot per month for 2 iPhones on a shared family plan (soon to be 4 iPhones when my kids reach the end of their contract). Although tethering would be nice, the iPhone has changed my habits from carrying my laptop everywhere to living without my laptop and doing 80-90% of my laptop needs on the iPhone (email, web). The last 10-20% of actually editing documents that still needs a laptop or desktop can be done when I'm at home or work with files on a USB key or through a corporate VPN.

We're probably less than a year away from the next big iPhone update. In addition to tethering are there any thoughts on what's in store in terms of hardware and software for iPhone 2009? Here's some:

http://web.me.com/doublel/Pure_Speculation/Speculations/Entries/2008/8/27_What_can_they_possibly_add_to_iPhone_2009.html

[aarond12]

Let's think about the logic: If AT&T sells a tethering plan for $30/month, but iPhone users can't use it, that means less revenue for them.

I have my SonyEricsson W580i phone from AT&T, flashed with the "official" SonyEricsson firmware which removes the limitations AT&T put on the phone, and I can use it to tether to my MacBook Pro over Bluetooth. I don't abuse it -- I only use it in emergencies -- but I've never been popped for tethering either.

Speaking with a former AT&T call center person, AT&T (Cingular) won't pop you for tethering unless you abuse the privilege. Don't use more data than would be expected if you were using the phone's browser.

Given the fact that I download MP3s using my phone occasionally and have push IMAP e-mail on all the time, there seems to be a lot of leeway when it comes to download bandwidth use.

-Aaron-

[jackfrost123]

CAN SOMEBODY EXPLAIN TO ME THE RATIONALE OF WHY THIS GETS 70-80 POSITIVE NEGATIVE VOTES AND THE INANE SOLVER "NEWS" GETS 60-30 POS NEG?

I really realy don't get it? what exactly do people rate, the fact that the iphone not having tethering as negative? They rate the solver add on as a good event?

PEOPLE YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE RATING AN ARTICLES WORTH, VALIDITY, RELEVANCE OR NOT, NOT IF YOU AGREE OR LIKE OR DISLIKE OR WHATEVER OTHER REASON WITH THE STORY....JESUS...LITERALY THIS POS NEG RATING SOMETIMES DRIVE ME NUTS TRYING TO FIGURE THEM OUT....

[Enigmafan420]

You know what is the problem?? The problem is that because of AT&T influence on Apple decisions, we are suffering WORLDWIDE!! (I'm in Italy). It's because of AT&T that we can't have NETSHARE! (or similar software). And that's crazy, because OUR carriers would allow us to use tethering, there's no distinction between data plans for phones and for tethering! The only way is to jailbreak the iphone, but I'm not gonna void my warranty so soon!

At least they could allow Netshare on foreign App Stores (Italian, French, ecc.)....

Jailbreaking would only void the warranty if Apple knew about it, and I am not so sure it would even at that point. It is SIMPLE to re-install the original software/firmware to a point that NO ONE (except you) would ever know it was jailbroken.

If you don't want to jailbreak, that is FINE-but do not use fear of void warranty as a reason :)

[Enigmafan420]

One more thing regarding pricing (and we of course the $30/month is SPECULATION at this point...)

AT&T is already sticking it to us regarding SMS-I am on a family plan, and my ONLY options are the OUTRAGEOUS 20 cent per message a-la-carte or ANOTHER $30 for unlimited messages. I do NOT need more than maybe 100 per month, but that is not a choice-I can't buy a pool of message for the plan-it has to be line specific which in itself is completely unreasonable.

So... I had SMS turned off-Up ATT's butt for all I care-SMS should be FREE-it uses FAR LESS bandwidth than even a phone call-gimme a break, 155 friggen text characters... UGHH-this is nothing but a rip-off in the USA-I understand it is totally different overseas-Why in the HELL should I have to pay to RECEIVE a text message that I have no WAY of rejecting (like a phone call which CAN be ignored or unanswered) anyway?!?

[chelsel]

just buy a datacard, move the SIM from the iPhone to the data card and you're surfing at 3G speeds, even with the "old" iPhone data plan (it's the same thing).

[gianly1985]

The link to Netshare is still on Nullriver's website. But clicking on it brings up iTunes with the message, "The item you've requested is not currently available in the US store." I thought the app was still available overseas. Has it been removed from all iTunes stores worldwide?

I can say for sure that it has been removed from Italian App Store.

Jailbreaking would only void the warranty if Apple knew about it, and I am not so sure it would even at that point. It is SIMPLE to re-install the original software/firmware to a point that NO ONE (except you) would ever know it was jailbroken.

If you don't want to jailbreak, that is FINE-but do not use fear of void warranty as a reason

Are you sure? Any experience? (i.e. someone who did JB -----> Restore -----> Apple -------> NO PROBLEM ?). What if they have some way to notice it after all? I hope you're right.....
As for me, the fact is also that I don't need those functions that bad.....

[gianly1985]

just buy a datacard, move the SIM from the iPhone to the data card and you're surfing at 3G speeds, even with the "old" iPhone data plan (it's the same thing).

Mmmh...that sounds quite uncomfortable....

[bilboa]

This 3G is outdated and Verizon will have 4G by end of 2009 or early 2010 but they also charge for tethering and I believe its 30 dollars a month also.


Verizon charges $60/month to add tethering to a cell phone plan. So AT&T's $30/month would be a significantly better deal. It's not worth it though for people who only want tethering as an occasional backup connectivity method. You'd have to need it regularly for it to be worth it.

I had my verizon phone hacked so I could tether it over bluetooth without paying for the tethering service. I used it with my laptop and with my Palm T5. With my iPhone though I have to admit that the browser is so much better than my Palm's that I don't want to tether as often anyway.

[Enigmafan420]

I can say for sure that it has been removed from Italian App Store.


Are you sure? Any experience? (i.e. someone who did JB -----> Restore -----> Apple -------> NO PROBLEM ?). What if they have some way to notice it after all? I hope you're right.....
As for me, the fact is also that I don't need those functions that bad.....

I have done so with my iPod Touch-I restored Apple firmware when I needed to take it in-they never said a word.

[bilboa]

Three points here:
1. Netshare isn't actually Tethering, but I guess they are claiming it might be and that is why they removed it from the App Store.


How is using Netshare not tethering? :confused: It lets you connect to the internet from your computer using your iPhone's network connection. That's tethering.

I'm guessing you're going to use some weaselly explanation like saying that the fact that it works via a SOX proxy somehow makes it not tethering, but for all practical purposes it's the same thing. It's just a little less convenient to use than an official tethering package would be, since you have to tell your computer's browser to use the proxy, or use something like Proxifier to make all your computer's network traffic go over the proxy.

[furrina]

Yeah but the sheeple here in the states can be taken for all they are worth.:(
Monopolies are a way of doing business here, we've paid for all their infrastructure and we keep paying.
AtT needs a class action lawsuit to wake them up.
I won't pay the extra $15 per month that att wants for the new phone, which they charge whether you have 3g or not, why would I pay $30 for something I can do without att?
Maybe Netshare will launch a lawsuit?

totally agree. the proprietary nonsense going on here with the telecoms is hindering technology not to mention screwing everyone and making life difficult. the idea of a phone "locked" to a carrier is ridiculous, but americans have been just lining up and buying that way for years. the iphone is an example of what happens when it gets put into large scale focus. i'm a long time apple fan btw. i think they're resorting to micro$oft tactics in this case though, of "you will use this because its all up in ur box already, not because it's good." that, and the fact that so many things that have been around for years and would be useful were purposefully not incuded in the iphone or apps, some for the reasons mentioned above (slingbox, anyone?).
it's all part of the reason our data networks are so woefully behind the rest of the world (att 3g network clearly wasn't ready for the onslaught of iphone users. the average GSM phone user in the us barely knew the network existed before it).

that said i was tethering on Tmobile for years on their 19.99 plan, worked great. they're pretty relaxed about the whole thing. I'm not going to even get into the issues about their 3g network, though. I really do need it and trying to find a copy of Netshare for my iPhone somewheres. not going to pay 30 bucks more. for that i'd just buy a mobile card and pay for the verizon service.

[furrina]

Not really, I get no T-Mobile service at my home in Manhattan either! :)

yeah, me too. i liked tmobile just fine, just crappy reception in downtown manhattan, even worse in my apartment. i tried my ATT sim from the iphone in my old e61 and it's like night and day. no idea why.

[bluedevils]

Sorry if it was mentioned earlier. I read only the first three pages. I came from a sprint plan with a tethering data plan for only $40/month. I had decent 3g speeds. I would pay $40/month for data and tethering on the iphone. $60 seems too much.

BTW why would you want to tether via bluetooth? It will be a bottleneck once the 3g network improves. USB is the best way to go.

[gianly1985]

I have done so with my iPod Touch-I restored Apple firmware when I needed to take it in-they never said a word.
Well this is a good news....

So what are we talking about here? JB your iPhones and tether, my sons...just don't exaggerate with traffic (no p2p!), cause AT&T could notice anomalous traffic, I guess....

[carlgo]

With the AT&T network being apparently strained already, can you imagine if tons of additional people start tethering. I hate to be the turd in the punchbowl, but if they don't do some serious network tweaking and upgrading, the thing might grind to a complete halt...

They always seem to forget the part about actually having a signal. The iPhone is essentially just an urban phone.

[Enigmafan420]

Well this is a good news....

So what are we talking about here? JB your iPhones and tether, my sons...just don't exaggerate with traffic (no p2p!), cause AT&T could notice anomalous traffic, I guess....

Yeah I do have netshare installed-I am thinking it will mostly be used in hotels without free Wi-Fi-I can't imagine using it to download tunes or movies from iTunes :)

[kobefan234]

Yeah I do have netshare installed-I am thinking it will mostly be used in hotels without free Wi-Fi-I can't imagine using it to download tunes or movies from iTunes :)

You can't download iTunes movies or songs using Netshare?

[Enigmafan420]

You can't download iTunes movies or songs using Netshare?

Actually I think you can't-I think the record labels require a Wi-Fi connection, so maybe a bad example-My point was-I would NEVER substitute it for Internet at home-it would be like going back to DSL (UG!)

[manhattanboy]

Sorry if it was mentioned earlier. I read only the first three pages. I came from a sprint plan with a tethering data plan for only $40/month. I had decent 3g speeds. I would pay $40/month for data and tethering on the iphone. $60 seems too much.

BTW why would you want to tether via bluetooth? It will be a bottleneck once the 3g network improves. USB is the best way to go.

b/c u have 2 carry an extra cord BT-DUN is fast & easy

[kobefan234]

They should allow tethering for a month and see how much traffic there is!

[manhattanboy]

No way in heck a tethering option will come from ATT. If it would, you can expect their whole network to crash down. How many iphone users will actually tether their connection?
AMEN to that!
ATT's network is CRAPPIER than what I just dropped in the toilet
Seriously, if it can barely handle the regular iPhone traffic, what the heck do people think will happen when we get laptops sucking down huge amounts of data/sec on the network!!!!?????

[Kurfer]

CAN SOMEBODY EXPLAIN TO ME THE RATIONALE OF WHY THIS GETS 70-80 POSITIVE NEGATIVE VOTES AND THE INANE SOLVER "NEWS" GETS 60-30 POS NEG?

I really realy don't get it? what exactly do people rate, the fact that the iphone not having tethering as negative? They rate the solver add on as a good event?

PEOPLE YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE RATING AN ARTICLES WORTH, VALIDITY, RELEVANCE OR NOT, NOT IF YOU AGREE OR LIKE OR DISLIKE OR WHATEVER OTHER REASON WITH THE STORY....JESUS...LITERALY THIS POS NEG RATING SOMETIMES DRIVE ME NUTS TRYING TO FIGURE THEM OUT....

Who cares? Maybe you need to get laid?