this all sounds great, however...
say i want to use my laptop for a few minutes, then get back onto wifi, do you have to undo all the steps where you adjust firefox?
do you have to do all these things EVERY time you want to tether?
it seems like a long process to me if you just want to surf for 10 minutes, and then you've got to revert settings back again for normal use.....
MacOSX for years allow you to have multiple network settings. In fact, once you create a profile other than the default "Automatic", a new menu called "Locations..." is created under the Apple menu for ease of access. I created one called Tethering for this exercise. When I am in a WiFi location, I choose "Automatic" and no settings required.
I also leave Firefox set up for Tethering and simply use Safari. If you hate Safari and only want to use Firefox, you can create a new "user" name "Tether" for use in Leopard.
The real problem is that the tethering setup seems rather fragile and the connection does not seem to stay on reliably. Waiting for a simpler hack to turn the iPhone3G into a CradlePoint PHS300 style mobile Hotspot. Now that, I would pay big $$ for. Now paying Sprint $60 a month for EvDO Rev A Sierra 595U and PHS300. Imagine what I would pay for a simple piece of software to turn my iPhone into a private hotspot! (ATT's broadband usb is metered. Sprint's is not.)
if only joiku spot could get ported to the iphone. I had it on the N95 what it does it basically turn your phone's connection into a wifi hotspot for any device to connect to
I've been using PdaNet, and it is amazing. They just released an update to save power, which you definitely need if you're using it for more than light surfing and chatting. Hopefully it will last longer
I have a couple questions here. I remember reading that the tethering should be done responsibly. That is there is an unwritten understanding from att that we shouldn't go over a certain limit.
1. What is that limit again?
2. If one was streaming video from say a slingbox (off laptop using iphone as tether) how long before that 'cap' is reached?
3. If the iphone is connected via wifi would that limit still accumulate or is that only when the iphone is connected via the network?
4. If above is wifi won't add to download amount then does it matter if the phone function is on? That is connect via wifi and turn off 3g and edge (i.e. the phone) or is it safe to leave it on?
My reason for this as I know someone will mention connecting direct with laptop is that this is useful at places like starbucks or airports where iphone wifi is supposedly free and laptop costs a pretty penny.
I have a couple questions here. I remember reading that the tethering should be done responsibly. That is there is an unwritten understanding from att that we shouldn't go over a certain limit.
1. What is that limit again?
2. If one was streaming video from say a slingbox (off laptop using iphone as tether) how long before that 'cap' is reached?
3. If the iphone is connected via wifi would that limit still accumulate or is that only when the iphone is connected via the network?
4. If above is wifi won't add to download amount then does it matter if the phone function is on? That is connect via wifi and turn off 3g and edge (i.e. the phone) or is it safe to leave it on?
My reason for this as I know someone will mention connecting direct with laptop is that this is useful at places like starbucks or airports where iphone wifi is supposedly free and laptop costs a pretty penny.
thanks!
If you're going strictly by the letter of the law, i.e., the AT&T Terms of Service, tethering is currently and specifically not allowed. Also, applications that continuously stream data (like the Slingbox) or support p2p are in violation of the TOS. Basically, if you're on a non-business data plan, AT&T limits you to unlimited e-mail and simple web browsing. AT&T reserves the right to change the terms at any time and to allow exceptions like the YouTube app.
The unofficial most quoted cap is 5GB/month, though what the actual value that will trigger AT&T's ire is they're not saying, doubtless to keep the bandwidth hogs off balance. As far as I know, no AT&T customer/iPhone owner has ever had their service terminated due to excessive bandwidth usage.
Just to muddy the waters further, AT&T is exploring offering their own tethering service (if you can't ban them, exploit them.) I wonder how much extra a month that will be; more '+'s for the $2000+ iPhone 3G (TCO).
hi.
1) it is believe that there isn't really a "limit", but if you constantly go over something like 5GB per month, they may contact you and let you know that you "should" be using less. but no one has ever reported being charged any $ because of using excess data on an unltd data plan.
2)you can do a test of this by using the data connection... then going into settings..... then usage. it will show you all of your data usage stats. very useful.
3) being connected to wifi isn't visible at all to at&t. they only will see data that you use if you use their 3g, edge (or even gprs) network. what you do on your wifi is your own seperate business.
4) i dont really understand the question... but you should be find in everything that you do related to wifi. its your own business. not atts. but if you have access to free wifi, i would definately use that. no need to use up your data and waste phone battery and lose speed also
Which was using the iphone as a modem via wifi only.
My last question was this. When hooked in through wifi, and say full 3G is available. If I am doing something on wifi is there a chance it may register on the 3G side as well?
It would seem safer, meaning wifi used only, if I disable the 3g, edge and gprs so that only wifi is running.
But if I don't have to disable the phone, if being connected wifi means wifi only will be used, then that's good too.
for turley,
I know att has that in the terms of service but the loophole I see is that refers only to their network usage. I'd be using only the available wifi.
why? well in airports or starbucks the iphone gets free wifi right? My laptop does not. So using the iphone I can bypass that charge if i do feel so inclined.
Originally Posted by deenybird
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Also, applications that continuously stream data (like the Slingbox) or support p2p are in violation of the TOS. Basically, if you're on a non-business data plan, AT&T limits you to unlimited e-mail and simple web browsing. AT&T reserves the right to change the terms at any time and to allow exceptions like the YouTube app.
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