iOS: Wi-Fi Hotspot feature

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codyc1515

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#75129 13-Jan-2011 08:55

Hey all,

I have been keeping track of the whole Verizon iPhone 4 affair, and to be honest, I am really quite sick of it. There was one thing though that caught my eye and that is the Wi-Fi Hotspot feature. Now, apparently AT&T have been "evaluating" adding this. I get the strange (but unsurprising) feeling that they will decide that they do want to add the feature sometime in the future, oh, but it's only for the iPhone 5. That would really annoy me. Hopefully, because it's on the Verizon iPhone 4, it should be on the Global iPhone 4. Here's hoping.

Opinions (and yes, I know you can get it by jailbreaking, but its just not the same as having it officially)?

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#426745 13-Jan-2011 09:08

/Shrug. I can't see any reason why it wouldn't work on the original iPhone, for that matter, but yes, you're at the mercy of Apple's generosity I'm afraid.

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scottjpalmer

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#426755 13-Jan-2011 09:39

I want!

jonherries

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#426761 13-Jan-2011 09:51

From what I have read briefly, it is a carrier dependant feature, so somehow AT&T can charge for tethering which I don't understand the mechnism for (is there a software unlock in the baseband or something?).

Essentially I would guess if you have tethering now, this is merely a different mechanism for doing this.

From what Vodafone have done to date (happy to allow tethering due to limited data caps, I believe JohnR has said use your data for whatever you want), we should get this update.

And the latest from AI is that it is coming to all ios devices with ios4 compatibility.

Jon

codyc1515

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#426792 13-Jan-2011 11:28

"The new beta (iOS 4.3 BETA) confirms rumors that Apple would add its new Personal Hotspot feature to existing GSM iPhones with iOS 4.3. The functionality allows users to share their 3G data connection with up to five devices over Wi-Fi. Those reports claimed that Apple plans to publicly release iOS 4.3 in March."

Source: http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/11/01/12/apple_issues_ios_4_3_beta_with_personal_hotspot_new_mu...

corksta

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#426806 13-Jan-2011 11:57

I think it's great! I'll be able to sell my 3G Wi-Fi router and just use my iPhone and its data plan instead. Brilliant!

6297a1679f9

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#426814 13-Jan-2011 12:16

In The Next iOs 4.3 Will Have that Hot Spot Feature ( Already in Beta mode)

Apple Seeds iOS 4.3 Beta to Developers: Personal Hotspot, AirPlay Video Streaming, New iPad Gestures

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alasta

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#426834 13-Jan-2011 13:00

This is a fantastic idea, but I am extremely annoyed that I will not be able to use it with my 2degrees connection. I can't think of any technical reason why tethering would be carrier dependent, so it seems like a needless restriction.

ALTRON

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#426856 13-Jan-2011 14:05

Telecom will allow it?

SaltyNZ

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#426858 13-Jan-2011 14:09

ALTRON: Telecom will allow it?

I think it's more of a case that if you have an iPhone with the Vodafone carrier bundle on it - i.e. most iPhones that weren't purchased direct from Apple - then Vodafone might get a say on whether it's enabled for you or not. 2degrees certainly isn't going to jump up and down trying to get it killed off.

Personally, I can't see what would be gained from making it harder for people to use services you're profiting from them using, but then again maybe that's why I'm an engineer.

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scottjpalmer

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#426864 13-Jan-2011 14:40

alasta: This is a fantastic idea, but I am extremely annoyed that I will not be able to use it with my 2degrees connection. I can't think of any technical reason why tethering would be carrier dependent, so it seems like a needless restriction.

Why do you say it will be unavailable on 2degrees?

Current tethering is operator dependant overseas but works fine on all 3 networks here . . .

chriswiggins

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#426900 13-Jan-2011 18:11

Damn and to think I purchased MyWi about a month ago... Never mind, will be a cool feature to have, opening mywi and enabling it is just downright annoying at times (if it even wants to work!)

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alasta

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#426940 13-Jan-2011 20:34

scottjpalmer: Why do you say it will be unavailable on 2degrees?

Current tethering is operator dependant overseas but works fine on all 3 networks here . . .

Okay - I always just assumed that I couldn't do tethering at all as I can't find any option in the settings on my iPhone to enable it.

Is there a step-by-step guide anywhere that gives details of how to set up and use tethering? I've just tried fumbling around with the cable and bluetooth connections on my Macbook pro but I got a bit lost and to be honest I'm still unconvinced that the functionality is even available on my device.

riahon

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#426947 13-Jan-2011 21:05

I am not following something here. At the moment I regularly tether my iphone to macbook via bluetooth. Is this new feature going to allow me to do the same thing but via a wifi network transmitted from my iphone? If correct I assume will allow me to connect more than one device.

antoniosk

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#426949 13-Jan-2011 21:13

riahon: I am not following something here. At the moment I regularly tether my iphone to macbook via bluetooth. Is this new feature going to allow me to do the same thing but via a wifi network transmitted from my iphone? If correct I assume will allow me to connect more than one device.

It will also allow you to use the onboard GSM/WCDMA radio to on-connect to the Internet, turning your iphone into a mini wifi router.

Think of the application: park the device where you get good coverage, then use local wifi to connect. No sh*tty modem drivers on the laptop, no usb stick on a cable trying to get any signal...

.... says the man who did it over the xmas break at the beach....

________

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#426956 13-Jan-2011 21:25

About bloody time, every handset I've had since 2007 could do this...

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