Report: No laptop tethering for iPhone 3G
Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:40AM EDT
See Comments (4)
One of the questions I get asked most often about the new, 3G-capable iPhone is whether you'll be able to tether it to a laptop for on-the-go broadband. AT&T's answer, apparently, is no—and that's the wrong answer for many 3G smartphone users.
iPhone Atlas got a hold of an AT&T spokesperson who confirmed that the carrier won't be offering any "phone as modem" plans for the iPhone 3G, which means iPhone users will need separate broadband cards (and plans) to surf on their laptops over AT&T's HSDPA network.
It's disappointing news, given that one of the key advantages of many 3G phones—such as various 3G BlackBerry models, the Palm Centro, and the Samsung BlackJack II—is that they double as wireless modems.
Of course, just because AT&T isn't offering phone-as-modem plans (which typically cost $45/month or more) for the iPhone 3G doesn't mean the new iPhone isn't capable of acting as a wireless modem. Indeed, as 9 to 5 Mac reports, UK carrier O2 will allow Bluetooth tethering for the iPhone 3G.
So there's nothing keeping Apple and AT&T from changing their mind about phone-as-modem iPhone use in the U.S.; whether they'll change their minds is another question.
Related:
AT&T: no iPhone 3G tethering for you! [iPhone Atlas]
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2 Posted by atkinson003 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:59PM EDT Report Abuse
I'm sure 'Maximus1178' that if YOU owned a company that you'd put 'all your eggs in one basket', as they say. I, as you are, am a consumer and would like one gadget to do all; but if I was the company itself I would be looking at as many ways as possible to put a dollar in my pocket....it's the American way!
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3 Posted by maximus1178 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:12PM EDT Report Abuse
Atkinson - I understand that, however, ther has to be a balance!
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4 Posted by ngast4444 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:36PM EDT Report Abuse
Funny people complain about, but don't look at alternatives. If you have to have the IPhone, sure you are going to get hosed by ATT. If you want to get something to tether to your laptop, any phone from TMobile will do. I know people using their razr phones as modems. And if you want an iphone killer, check out either the wing, the dash, or even the sidekick. They all can be used as modems, do more than the iphone, and the plans cost much less per month. Oh, but you might not be as hip as your iphone buddies. Follow the crowd and you'll always pay more.
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1 Posted by maximus1178 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:12PM EDT Report Abuse
This is more proof why big business is not "looking out for you" - the consumer. Yet again, Fortune 500 companies wanting to squeeze every nickel out of the consumer. Instead of being innovative and creative, allowing technology to be taken advantage of hence "phone as modem" they put up barriers which only hurt people’s pocket-books. One would think a company such as AT&T or others would say “sure, let’s give the consumer what they want” to promote our product/services as the “preferred” one, etc.