Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Ug, yes you're missing the point.

Basically if you don't have wireless, then everything that separates the touch from an ipod is completely useless.

I really hate "I don't see why you'd do that" answers. So many people are coming to this thread to find an answer, and you've created a useless post by explaining why you - out of the thousands who want to find an answer - wouldn't use it.

I'm sorry for cluttering this forum with my response, but no matter how many threads I look for, and how many google searches I do, every answer is the same... "Why would you want to do that." Such a useless response

Lighten up. Obviously if he had a solution for you, he would have told you about it. Even if he hadn't questioned why you would want it, it not like his post would have been any more useful. It is perfectly acceptable to question why someone would need something if there might be a simple alternative.

Anyways, as of right now, it is impossible, and the odds of anyone doing it are slim to none, for a number of reasons.

1. It would be a huuuuge job. There are an immense number of obstacles to overcome, in many areas that have never been previously tread upon. Creating an extra Internet connection type would involve modifying the very framework of the firmware.. Plus, Apple has the iPod's USB connection locked down pretty tight. Ever wonder why everybody uses SSH to access their mobile files instead of harnessing the superior bandwidth of the USB cable?

2. Most people wouldn't have a use for it; this goes double for big-shot hackers. Most places that have computers also have wifi access. A few exceptions are not enough incentive for a hacker to spend months trying to figure it out.

Basically, the effort-to-payoff ratio is incredibly low, so I would never expect to see it happen. Ever. Sorry to crush your hopes. :/

Now, instead of going and whining to hackers who slave away years of their lives to give you free software in hopes that their ungrateful users will at least give them a "thank you" or a small donation, as aforementioned, the simplest solution would be to go out and grab a USB Wifi dongle. You can probably find one for pretty cheap, and it will easily let you piggyback your PC's internet connection, and you get the added benefit of being cord-free. If you ever feel daring, you could consider making the upgrade to the iPhone.
 
bluetooth

i think if you get a way to make a wifi connection possible through bluetooth the new 3.0 softwear can do that
 
Now dont get me wrong i am a first time mac user with the new MBP 13 inch but i have been a windows guy for at least the past 8 years. When u connect an external device that has wifi built in such as a pda or smartphone that runs windows mobile to a windows machine u can surf the web on that device via the computer and not the wifi on the device. It is pretty cool if were u work does not have wifi and you just plug your device via usb into the computer and you can get on the internet otherwise i feel that it is useless. Just my 2 cents from a recently converted windows fan boy.
 
Reason

One reason to do this is, some hotels only offer hard wire internet connections not wi fi. It much easier to travel with a Ipod Touch than bringing your laptop if you don't need it.
 
One reason to do this is, some hotels only offer hard wire internet connections not wi fi. It much easier to travel with a Ipod Touch than bringing your laptop if you don't need it.

So use a small wifi travel router. I bring along a Linksys WRT54GS just for that purpose. Nicest thing about it is the built-in power plug, so there's no ugly wall wart to bring along.
 
If anyone finds a way to do this (aside from buying a USB dongle), I'd love to hear it.

And, for the record, ;) I've got a really good reason to want this - I'm trying to use my iPod Touch to take work data with me into the field. I have the right permissions, the right applications, and the right data - but to download the data to the iPod Touch, I need a wifi connection. My office has no wifi, so to download the data, I have to:
1. Walk half a mile to the nearby dorms, and use their guest wifi connection (not as secure as I would like)
OR
2. Go home and use the wifi connection there.

Either way, if the data isn't what I was hoping, then I have to go back to the office to do it again...
 
One reason to do this is, some hotels only offer hard wire internet connections not wi fi. It much easier to travel with a Ipod Touch than bringing your laptop if you don't need it.

That's when you need an Airport Express.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/M...ess-AirTunes?fnode=MTY1NDA0Mg&mco=MTA4NTc4MTE

Edit: Sorry should have kept reading.
So use a small wifi travel router. I bring along a Linksys WRT54GS just for that purpose. Nicest thing about it is the built-in power plug, so there's no ugly wall wart to bring along.
 
Forget connecting to the computer! If you want to get on to a broadband connection, hook it up directly to the PHONE LINE not USB... Plus you would also need some kind of software or jailbreak for your iPod or iPhone so it would be compatible and accept the broadband connection.
Hope this helped... :)
 
Forget connecting to the computer! If you want to get on to a broadband connection, hook it up directly to the PHONE LINE not USB... Plus you would also need some kind of software or jailbreak for your iPod or iPhone so it would be compatible and accept the broadband connection.
Hope this helped... :)

No, it doesn't help... because that idea won't work.
 
If you have a mac its easy to share your internet via wifi:
1.Turn on 'Internet Sharing' from your connection to Airport in 'Sharing' in 'System Preferences'.
2.Enable Airport.
3.Connect via wifi on your ipod touch.

I'm sure theres a way to share your internet wirelessly on windows but I spent days looking for a way with no luck :(

If your Mac is a laptop and you are using the wireless to get internet for it, how would this work

Forget connecting to the computer! If you want to get on to a broadband connection, hook it up directly to the PHONE LINE not USB... Plus you would also need some kind of software or jailbreak for your iPod or iPhone so it would be compatible and accept the broadband connection.
Hope this helped... :)

HUH? Hook what up to a phone line? This thread was stared by someone wanting an internet connection for an iPod Touch via USB from a computer because there is no WiFi in their office..

Now suggestions have been made to set up their own WiFi with by sharing from their desktop/laptop with some sort of USB device or a Wireless router or an Airport Express.

If the OP is using a laptop it would be easy to share the wired internet it receives over ethernet via it's built in Airport card. The details are listed earlier in this thread.
 
As far as I know there is no way of doing it. Remember the iPod Touch was designed primarily as an iPod, and as an internet device 2nd.

The best way around it would be to change to an iPhone, then you could use the 3g for the data.

Otherwise I hate to say it, but WinMo would be better suited for your needs.
 
Seeing as how this thread originated back on April of 2008, I would think the OP is past it now...
 
actually...

we've been through a couple generations of iPod Touches but there still is no way that i know of to easily/ at all, connect to the internet by way of the usb connection shared with computer. I'm still interested in finding a way as it may help others
 
Hotspots and iPhone

I understand you want to be able to play apps oline and be able to access installer easily without having to connect to wifi. Right? I would love that to!!!!!!!! But you can do it! But on th iphone you get internet everywhere but you have to pay the monthly service bill:( but you could always buy a hotspot!
But i have heard that hotspots are mad monthly bills! So you might as well get an iphone and pay the same as the hotspot and get the other features that would come with the iphone (camera,mic,phone,louder speaker) So I dont know a way to get it for free though. Do you because email me at camboy1999@gmail.com and tell me the way if you know one. But if i were you i would start shopping around here and there looking for hotspots! Thanks hope it helped!
 
we've been through a couple generations of iPod Touches but there still is no way that i know of to easily/ at all, connect to the internet by way of the usb connection shared with computer. I'm still interested in finding a way as it may help others

CANNOT connect to internet via USB...can only sync.

I understand you want to be able to play apps oline and be able to access installer easily without having to connect to wifi. Right? I would love that to!!!!!!!! But you can do it! But on th iphone you get internet everywhere but you have to pay the monthly service bill:( but you could always buy a hotspot!
But i have heard that hotspots are mad monthly bills! So you might as well get an iphone and pay the same as the hotspot and get the other features that would come with the iphone (camera,mic,phone,louder speaker) So I dont know a way to get it for free though. Do you because email me at camboy1999@gmail.com and tell me the way if you know one. But if i were you i would start shopping around here and there looking for hotspots! Thanks hope it helped!

What are you on?
Do you have internet connection where you live? If so, buy a router with wifi, and voila!
 
I want to make something very clear.

To have access to the internet, you must be connected somehow. If you're out in the field, you're not going to get internet. Surprise Surprise. It doesn't matter if you bring your iPod Touch or not.

Your iPhone has a data connection with AT&T (or otherwise). You are paying for this service. Without paying, you would not have internet "out in the field".

You cannot plug your iPod Touch into a Cactus and expect that the magical internet will flow into it. It just won't happen.
 
Frustrations with Apple's & their elitist user's condescension

Lighten up. Obviously if he had a solution for you, he would have told you about it. Even if he hadn't questioned why you would want it, it not like his post would have been any more useful. It is perfectly acceptable to question why someone would need something if there might be a simple alternative.

Anyways, as of right now, it is impossible, and the odds of anyone doing it are slim to none, for a number of reasons.

1. It would be a huuuuge job. There are an immense number of obstacles to overcome, in many areas that have never been previously tread upon. Creating an extra Internet connection type would involve modifying the very framework of the firmware.. Plus, Apple has the iPod's USB connection locked down pretty tight. Ever wonder why everybody uses SSH to access their mobile files instead of harnessing the superior bandwidth of the USB cable?

2. Most people wouldn't have a use for it; this goes double for big-shot hackers. Most places that have computers also have wifi access. A few exceptions are not enough incentive for a hacker to spend months trying to figure it out.

Basically, the effort-to-payoff ratio is incredibly low, so I would never expect to see it happen. Ever. Sorry to crush your hopes. :/

Now, instead of going and whining to hackers who slave away years of their lives to give you free software in hopes that their ungrateful users will at least give them a "thank you" or a small donation, as aforementioned, the simplest solution would be to go out and grab a USB Wifi dongle. You can probably find one for pretty cheap, and it will easily let you piggyback your PC's internet connection, and you get the added benefit of being cord-free. If you ever feel daring, you could consider making the upgrade to the iPhone.

I recently purchased a MB Pro in July 2009 and my biggest issue is that Apple & many of their users think they know what's best for everyone & that is all they want to put effort into; what they deem should be done. And I hate Apple's strict/restrictive access to everything in this day of information sharing & open source where people are willing to create much more imaginative platforms & apps than a few snobs at any company can come up with. In this case, WinMo on my HTC S630 can use Window's Mobility Center to use the Internet through the computer's ethernet cable. My company has WiFi but I don't get signal from my location. And while I will try the adhoc wifi sharing solution this is not ideal as it can possibly open up a can of security worms if not implemented properly; which could be completely avoided if a usb internet connection is available.

I have no problem with someone asking why you would do this, but I do take issue with the damn elitist attitudes I've seen from many (including the F*&$^% employees at the Apple store who had NO clue that they were trying to talk down to someone with about 25 yrs more deep computer experience than they had) in the Apple community. Just b/c you may not conceive of a good reason, when someone gives you their justification, don't huff at it; answer them kindly and point out possible alternatives without the goddam atittude. I completely disagree the effort to payoff is low as I know many in my company would love to be able to do this, not only for installing apps but actually testing out the mobile platform while doing their development for clients.

Now, if anyone does know of a way to get internet through usb to an ipod touch (the reason I came here as well) I'd LOVE to hear. And I won't point out my personal reasons b/c many in here will find no point to reply but to ridicule why I want this option. The REAL issue here is whether it can be done & if so how? (Is there an App for that?)

Thanks for listening to my rant - Ondego
 
I want to make something very clear.

To have access to the internet, you must be connected somehow. If you're out in the field, you're not going to get internet. Surprise Surprise. It doesn't matter if you bring your iPod Touch or not.

Your iPhone has a data connection with AT&T (or otherwise). You are paying for this service. Without paying, you would not have internet "out in the field".

You cannot plug your iPod Touch into a Cactus and expect that the magical internet will flow into it. It just won't happen.

DVDHSU,

See my previous post. This is very elitist & condescending! But you've made your point. The iPod touch & Apple's firmware are inferior to WinMo's more open platform that actually allows people to use internet through usb.

I get the same flack for inquiring about why I want a backspace to delete a character to the left & a delete key that deletes the character to the right! Hey-zeus-*****-Krist it's an extra keystroke when you're using <alt> to jump to the beginning of a misspelled word!

Like I said in the previous post, if you want to ask why someone wants a feature is fine but don't be so damn critical & think their reasoning is flawed instead of what it really is: valid to the person asking.
 
You, sir, are entirely correct.

Yes, I've been obnoxious, but I'm just ticked off at people saying how they want internet in the middle of the desert, and why the iPod Touch doesn't have internet everywhere like the iPhone.

To answer your question though, yes, Apple is closed down. The only way you're going to be able to get past it is if you use open standards, such as WiFi.
Now, whether or not you can tether with a WiFi network solely depends on your phone.

For example, my Palm Pre works just dandy, creating a WiFi Ad Hoc network. With other phones, I don't know. That is no longer in the scope of these forums.

The chances of Apple opening up reverse tethering through USB is very slim. It won't happen until Apple opens up WiFi antennas through USB for the iPod.

That's my answer. It isn't worth the bugs that other people will find, report, and the trouble for Apple to open up reverse tethering.
 
You, sir, are entirely correct.

Yes, I've been obnoxious, but I'm just ticked off at people saying how they want internet in the middle of the desert, and why the iPod Touch doesn't have internet everywhere like the iPhone.

To answer your question though, yes, Apple is closed down. The only way you're going to be able to get past it is if you use open standards, such as WiFi.
Now, whether or not you can tether with a WiFi network solely depends on your phone.

For example, my Palm Pre works just dandy, creating a WiFi Ad Hoc network. With other phones, I don't know. That is no longer in the scope of these forums.

The chances of Apple opening up reverse tethering through USB is very slim. It won't happen until Apple opens up WiFi antennas through USB for the iPod.

That's my answer. It isn't worth the bugs that other people will find, report, and the trouble for Apple to open up reverse tethering.

Thank you for the reply dvdhsu. I will try adhoc WiFi ICS ipod <-> MB but besides obvious performance I don't understand why WiFi antenna would have anything to do with this. In fact, I would turn off the WiFi on the iPod to save battery and this would ensure the data packets are travelling the usb line. Unless you're saying that internet connectivity in the iPod is entirely implemented through the WiFi portion of the firmware. In which case this makes sense. Again thanks for replying
 
so i googled the exact same question and couldnt find an answer so i got on my mac and figured it out. heres how to do it.....
system preferences - sharing - internet sharing -
share your connection from - Ethernet
to computers using - airport
and then click the little check box on internet sharing. plug in your ipod and go to wireless connections and your laptop will be there. worked great for me. let me know how it goes. good luck
 
so i googled the exact same question and couldnt find an answer so i got on my mac and figured it out.
Bear in mind there are some work environments that specifically prohibit that sort of activity. You're opening up the hosting network to wireless access and potential security risks. It's not worth getting fired.

It's disappointing Apple's so thoroughly strangled the OS to prevent being able to do something this simple. So simple even Windows mobile phones can do it. But even worse than strangling the phone, the OS USB driver is even more closed.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.