iPad 2 use with Hotspot on iPhone 4

[Michael CM1]

Just had to activate that tonight because my iPad was having trouble logging on to one of those WiFi networks that uses some browser authorization. My iPhone worked, but the iPad didn't.

Anyway, worked very well. The method of adding it to my account could've been much simpler. I was sent to AT&T's website and had to pinch my way in and out of things to activate it. AT&T -- and anybody else -- should really make it much simpler, but I also think it should be FREE to use the data I already bought. But at least this saved me $130 on the iPad hardware and I can use this on multiple iPads or other WiFi devices.

 

[katyoshi]

I went quite the opposite. I got the 3G one and I'm happy with it. I don't have to worry about having another device to turn 3G when I need it. Plus I got the unlimited iPhone 4 data plan and don't wanna lose that as I stream a lot of podcasts and iTunes U and so far I've used up 3.7GB with doing that as well as among other things that required the net! so I use my iPhone to stream all iTunes stuff.

 

[petvas]

Agreed. I also went the wifi route and the hotspot is great but there is noticeable battery drainage on the iPhone. Small price to pay though IMHO.

The iPhone can last 4-5 hours as a wifi hotspot. I get the impression that Bluetooth tethering doesn't drain the batter that much. It also keeps the iPhone cold. Wifi tethering makes the iPhone very warm. The only disadvantage of bluetooth tethering is the available bandwidth, which compared to wifi tethering is significantly less.
With Bluetooth tethering I have also noticed that even if the iPhone or the iPad goes to standby, the connection stays. With wifi the connection gets dropped after 90 seconds.