NetShare iPhone Tethering App Reappears in App Store [Updated]

[.:R2theT]

Ultimately, I think the app. will be back. But it will be with a disclaimer that says something like "using this application may lead to your service provider charging you additional fees based on your data usage. Use at your own risk!"

Something for nothing? Why are people always talking about stealing and/or lying on the internets?

 

[ben.mcmahan]

You obviously don't understand how SOCKS5 proxying works, so may be you should stop posting about things you know so little about..

I'd love to hear a concise explanation how the SOCKS5 proxy keeps the ISP from knowing who/what/etc. (i'm aware of some successful efforts to "game" the system on cell phones using google as a proxy...so I'm not entirely ignorant)...

What I wonder - and have no clue about - is if the link to cellular networks changes the way the information is transferred/documented/credentialed. I.e. on the web, proxies may fully mask you, but do they work the same across the cellular network manner of connection? Say with the ESN? Again, this question is not rhetorical. i dont know the answer. please enlighten me!

 

[ElBerserko]

You obviously don't understand how SOCKS5 proxying works, so may be you should stop posting about things you know so little about..

Do you understand how this specific SOCKS5 proxy is implemented? Because the way I see it the iPhone is the proxy server and the proxy connection is only between your iPhone and your computer. The iPhone as the proxy server then spits out the raw traffic over the carrier's network where they can use whatever detection systems in their arsenal to check for bittorrent or WoW traffic.

The only way to completely obscure the traffic is if the proxy server is somewhere not on a wireless carrier's network which would mean everyone's traffic would have to route through some shady server on the internet which is not happening with this application. Even still, I don't think SOCKS is encrypted like an SSL tunnel so no matter where the proxy is, raw traffic is flowing. I don't claim to be an expert on this protocol, these are just my assumptions.

 

[aimfire]

I'm sure I don't use more than 5GB of data via email attachments and web surfing...not too worried. Plus i'm only grabbing this for emergency use.

Yeah, it's definitely nothing to worry about as long as you're not streaming tons of videos 24/7, etc.

I have Sprint and ATT aircards (celluar modems) for my 2 laptops, and they each have that 5gb/month soft-limit... been using them for over a year, everyday for normal web surfing stuff and have NEVER gone over any monthly limits.

 

[Lershac]

nothing in life is free.

The TOS are what they are - whether you read it carefully or not (or at all). ignorance (real or claimed) to policies will not preclude being subject to them. you agreed to them when you bought the phone and hooked it up.

i have yet to see someone explain how using a proxy prevents ATT from A) knowing what you are doing, and B) keeping track of it. one thing that hasn't been mentioned, so i'll float it out there, was the app was pulled until nullriver assured apple/ATT that usage could be tracked to prevent abuse. that makes more sense than any thing else that's been mentioned...it also could explain why the app went up, down, and back up again (i.e. they hadn't put much thought into it, until everyone and their dog was downloading it) - visions of clogged bandwidth and dropped calls start to haunt ATT, prompting a quick freakout.

I'm of the opinion that they dont really care as 99% of users will probably not use(abuse) the service. the 1% that go over 5GB. i wouldn't want to be the guinea pig.

But their selective enforcement of their own policies (or even non-enforcement) DOES make them non-applicable. Its like not defending your trademark...

But they can still make your life hell.

 

[justiny]

I don't know much about proxies, or really anything that has to do with Netshare's abilities behind the app. I know that anyone using Netshare should assume *some* risk. Is it fair to say that if one uses this sparingly, minimal web browsing, and cautiously as to not draw attention to their account, one could minimize the risk?

 

[hitekalex]

I'd love to hear a concise explanation how the SOCKS5 proxy keeps the ISP from knowing who/what/etc. (i'm aware of some successful efforts to "game" the system on cell phones using google as a proxy...so I'm not entirely ignorant)...

What I wonder - and have no clue about - is if the link to cellular networks changes the way the information is transferred/documented/credentialed. I.e. on the web, proxies may fully mask you, but do they work the same across the cellular network manner of connection? Say with the ESN? Again, this question is not rhetorical. i dont know the answer. please enlighten me!

Let's see.. SOCKS5, being an application layer proxy, simply takes an application layer payload from a client app (say MacBook Safari).. re-packages it into its own TCP/IP headers and sends it out to the Internet. Because SOCKS5 is an application layer proxy - individual apps must support it in order to communicate to the Internet. You can't just use any generic app with SOCKS5 proxy.

SOCKS5 client (your MacBook with Safari) never participates in any direct communications with Internet hosts, it only talks to the proxy host itself (iPhone in this case).

So what this means is the fact that you're accessing the Internet via 3rd-party device is made largely invisible by the proxy. I say "largely" because if AT&T wants to examine application layer headers (highly unlikely) - they can see your User Agent ID (aka Browser ID) as "desktop Safari" rather than iPhone's native "mobile Safari". If you're really paranoid, there are plug-ins that let you set your Browser ID to whatever you like, so you can spoof mobile-Safari ID on your Laptop.

Everything else (including your ESN) stays the same as if you were browsing the web directly from your iPhone. You're absolutely safe from AT&T, just as if you were using anonymizing proxies on the Internet.

Don't know if that was "concise" enough, but hopefully helps.. and don't listen to all the paranoia and fear mongering on this thread.

 

[hitekalex]

Do you understand how this specific SOCKS5 proxy is implemented? Because the way I see it the iPhone is the proxy server and the proxy connection is only between your iPhone and your computer. The iPhone as the proxy server then spits out the raw traffic over the carrier's network where they can use whatever detection systems in their arsenal to check for bittorrent or WoW traffic.

And so? OK, AT&T is seeing my iPhone sending traffic to WoW server. That in itself does not indicate "tethering" nor does it put me in violation of AT&T ToS. Who is to say I didn't develop a native iPhone WoW client, which would be a perfectly legit thing to do.

 

[justiny]

My forecast:

Apple will buy Nullriver's rights to the application.

Nullriver will get rich (Well deserved, IMO).

Apple will imbed NetShare app killer in 2.1 release.

Thoughts?

 

[wronski]

That's a happy cloud forecast. Nullriver doesn't even know what's going on. Here's what's really happening: bull ****.

 

[johnc8117]

Anyone know how to get Apple Mail working via this? I can get everything else to work that I need (Safari, Adium)

John

 

[Chef Medeski]

Yes, really. If you are in Quebec, why would you be on AT&T? There is no such thing as unlimited data on a cell network. Imagine if everyone started using GBs of data per month. The data layer would crash under the stress and possibly interfere with the voice network. Cellular technology was never meant for high throughput data access with everyone on the network. It can handle intermittent bursts but not sustained traffic of thousands of users in a cell area. If you need high bandwidth data access, I would suggest using WiFi hotspots or using your home network.

Huh!? This was in reference to Rogers not having their own clause. And we don't have unlimited up here, I get the super-extra mega double plan that comes with 6GB.

Just a point to the wi-fi, when you are on the train for half an hour, the wi-fi doesn't work. BUt its a perfect spot to work on the laptop. I wouldnt do much extra, probably send the same e-mails, just be a lot easier. Plus copy and paste, which is helpful when you send out a dozen of very similar e-mails in the same day.

 

[Chef Medeski]

http://www.gearlog.com/2008/03/att_more_than_5gb_of_data_cost.php
"We've heard elsewhere about both AT&T and Verizon throttling connections to 200 kbps/sec if you go over 5GB. But what about that new "DataConnect 5GB Overage Plan?" You can't find it anywhere on AT&T's Web site. But if you call in, you'll find it's $350/month for 5GB, plus $0.50 per megabyte (really, $.0005 per kb, but my megabyte formula is more readable.) Since you're probably a heavy downloader, let's think of that as $500 per gigabyte."

I think I'll pass on paying $10 for the privileged over going over 5GB. Good luck. Of course AT&T is going to approve tethering with a gold mine like this working for them.

A lot of house hold cable lines have 10GB caps, so I doubt you are going to go over 5GB because you used your laptop even an hour each day. 5GB is a lot.

 

[Mad Mac Maniac]

seriously? down again? what does this mean for us buyers? I really don't want to get screwed...

 

[gcmexico]

there is so much info going back and forth...I think it's like anything, use it in moderation and you'll be fine...most people just need to just chill! and the app is well worth it, works like a charm

 

[ruinfx]

My forecast:

Apple will buy Nullriver's rights to the application.

Nullriver will get rich (Well deserved, IMO).

Apple will imbed NetShare app killer in 2.1 release.

Thoughts?

lol no way in hell. if and when apple decides to include tethering on the iphone they will do it right.

 

[maokh]

What is at&t's iphone data plan overage tariff, and where is it published? What is the cap? this information is quite obviously not available, and no CSR can tell you this.

Unpublished fees dont hold much weight, especially in excess of $10,000.

Besides, iTunes let me pick my data plan. at&t and apple are too much in bed to backstab customers and run different directions.

The corporate veil has been pierced long ago. Yes, that is an actual legal term.

 

[Scorpion44]

Missing

I bought it earlier today after just resyncing with itunes netshare is no longer there or in itunes as one of my apps looks like apple took it from me i dont know what is going on i had it working fine for me earlier tonight

 

[gcmexico]

I bought it earlier today after just resyncing with itunes netshare is no longer there or in itunes as one of my apps looks like apple took it from me i dont know what is going on i had it working fine for me earlier tonight

*
no way Apple can do that...you bought it, you didn't steal, no way they jump on your computer and delete the app...are you positive you bought it...I bought the app when it first came out...still on my app list in itunes, still on my iphone, still works

update: also closed itunes, reopened and synced with my iphone again...app is still there, and still works...but just incase I copied the file and moved it to another folder, just incase!!!

 

[Scorpion44]

oh i am sure

Q1269 NetShare, v1.0, Seller: Nullriver, Inc.
Report a Problem $9.99

I had it working with no problems with firefox I did have to do a restore when I restored it all apps but that one and as it was restoring it said removing "netshare" I have very few applications I have already reported it to Apple but its gone

 

[BrownManUPS]

I didn't pick this up (twice) because I don't really need it and with Apple on the limbo about it I'm sure we'll hear something from them shortly. I don't think this is breaching any contract obligation because several other apps on the iPhone technically would.

We all just need to sit on this and wait again for another response.

 

[sdsvtdriver]

Let's see.. SOCKS5, being an application layer proxy, simply takes an application layer payload from a client app (say MacBook Safari).. re-packages it into its own TCP/IP headers and sends it out to the Internet. Because SOCKS5 is an application layer proxy - individual apps must support it in order to communicate to the Internet. You can't just use any generic app with SOCKS5 proxy.

SOCKS5 client (your MacBook with Safari) never participates in any direct communications with Internet hosts, it only talks to the proxy host itself (iPhone in this case).

So what this means is the fact that you're accessing the Internet via 3rd-party device is made largely invisible by the proxy. I say "largely" because if AT&T wants to examine application layer headers (highly unlikely) - they can see your User Agent ID (aka Browser ID) as "desktop Safari" rather than iPhone's native "mobile Safari". If you're really paranoid, there are plug-ins that let you set your Browser ID to whatever you like, so you can spoof mobile-Safari ID on your Laptop.

Everything else (including your ESN) stays the same as if you were browsing the web directly from your iPhone. You're absolutely safe from AT&T, just as if you were using anonymizing proxies on the Internet.

Don't know if that was "concise" enough, but hopefully helps.. and don't listen to all the paranoia and fear mongering on this thread.

Quoted solely for the reason this gentleman knows what he is talking about.

IMHO, I think most of the confusion is coming from the term proxy. Simply, a proxy is just that, an object acting on behalf of another object. In this case, your computer only requests data from the proxy server. The proxy server then requests the data from the host on the computer's behalf and then sends it to the computer. Most corporations use proxy servers to eliminate their clients from accessing hosts directly for security and bandwidth reducing reasons.

In today's IntErWbeZ term, a proxy is some junky script thrown up on a website to allow you to access Myspace (and other blocked websites) from work or to "anonymously" view pr0n from the safety of your bedroom at Mom's house.

This solution does not have anything to do with the above paragraph. It does not hide your computer's traffic from being traced to you, as the proxy requesting all the data is billed to you. Can the ISP (in this case at&t) tell if you are using the iPhone as a proxy? Yes, in a few ways (UserAgent being one of the easiest).

Is using this application considered 'tethering?' No.

 

[MRU]

This is going to get very interesting indeed. I'm going to sync up my iphone to my mac itunes later, if it takes my app I'll scream.

Is there anyway of doing a backup before iTunes syncs ?

Ultimately, I think the app. will be back. But it will be with a disclaimer that says something like "using this application may lead to your service provider charging you additional fees based on your data usage. Use at your own risk!"

And then there is the legality of that disclaimer. Does it cover those that downloaded the application before the disclaimer was incorporated ? Surely changing the terms and conditions after the event is highly dubious.

I think it will boil down to Apple deciding once and for all if the application is legal or not. If they decide to pull it - they must do so for all and re-imburse all those that have paid the €7.99/$9.99/£6.99 download price.







Posted my MBA with my iPhone 3G running NetShare

 

[Mackan]

Made available twice, and pulled twice. Very clumsy of Apple.

 

[Phil A.]

I'm not sure I agree with what a logical person would say.

From my viewpoint, a logical person would say that subscriber agreements are unreadable legalese that no one reads, and that 99% of iPhone users are not aware of what AT&T's position on tethering is even if they have read it.

And a logical person assumes that a program bought through a reputable big company(that has made themselves the sole source of distribution) wouldn't have as its only purpose a function that is illegal, and then expect the purchaser to be punished for it. This isn't some "get rich quick" website or torrent that you might expect to get hit with, this is an app sold by the sole US partner of AT&T on the iPhone. There is in fact an implied contract her that Apple won't sell you something that if used as advertised will get you in trouble.

Worst case on this at the end of the day, they disable it and you are out your $10. Or they stop selling it real soon and only a couple of thousand people have it, so they just let it pass for those folks who were lucky enough to get it. To me with limited access it's not even that big of a deal to AT&T. If people start using it to download HD movie torrents(which I don't think is even possible at the moment) it will kill the 3G network and it will have to be stopped - but if it is only used for browsing, it really just adds a big screen to the iPhone.

I'm not sure that would hold water - some (quite a lot) of phones support tethering out of the box but that doesn't mean you can go ahead and use it if your plan forbids it. There was a case a while ago in Canada where a man used his phone for tethering because "he didn't realise he couldn't" and ended up with a bill for $85,000 It was later reduced to $3,243 as a "goodwill gesture"