So long free Android tethering

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MyWorld

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Google is disabling access to tethering applications in the Android Market at the request of wireless carriers AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon.

Wireless carriers aren’t fans of these unofficial tethering apps because they allow subscribers to turn their Android devices into Internet hotspots without incurring additional monthly fees.

Without those Android applications, the majority of wireless subscribers will be forced to spend an extra $20 to $25 per month for the ability to tether, or risk compromising the security of their device (to some degree) by running (sideloading) an app found outside of the official Android Market.
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http://venturebeat.com/2011/05/04/google-helping-carriers-block-android-tethering/

So, rooting is not longer optional, you will HAVE to root your phone if you want to tether.
 
Its only for US markets. in Europe and other markets the tether applications still show up and will be supported.

HTC also has built in tether that is removed for the US phones.
 
Lame... They're getting screwed over but at least they had unlimited data plans to start with....
 
MyWorld said:
http://venturebeat.com/2011/05/04/google-helping-carriers-block-android-tethering/

So, rooting is not longer optional, you will HAVE to root your phone if you want to tether.
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They don't say you need to root it, you just need to use a 3rd-party app. Which we can do without rooting if needed, since we're not Appletards who can only install approved stuff from the iCrappstore.

But really, rooting an Android phone is not really rocket science.

Still sucks that Google are letting themselves be circle-jerked around like this by Big Network.
 
WiFi hotspot tethering works like a charm for me. And built into the phone too, no need to even install it from the Market.
 
Valerion said:
WiFi hotspot tethering works like a charm for me. And built into the phone too, no need to even install it from the Market.
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it may be the case it will be disabled in later versions of android.

but yeah i do not get how this will affect the tethering options embedded in Gingerbread.
 
enigma243 said:
From what I've read, it's mainly to combat people who have unlimited data plans on their cellphones
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What is this unlimited mobile data you speak of??? no serious though this shouldnt affect non US regions.
 
remus786 said:
What is this unlimited mobile data you speak of??? no serious though this shouldnt affect non US regions.
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Did you even read the article? Google is only disabling access to tether for US customers, so for the rest of the world its business as normal.
 
Off the topic ... Can an Andriod phone be "jailbreaked" like the iPhones n iPads ?
Is rooting the same thing as "jailbreak" ?

Never used an Android hence I'm asking.

Tnx
 
JAM007 said:
Off the topic ... Can an Andriod phone be "jailbreaked" like the iPhones n iPads ?
Is rooting the same thing as "jailbreak" ?

Never used an Android hence I'm asking.

Tnx
Click to expand...

By default Android have more or less the same access as a jailbroken iPhone. Rooting gives you super user access. Think of rooting as getting access to the root password of a Linux pc and jailbreak as getting a power user(not administrator) password to a Windows pc.
 
JAM007 said:
Off the topic ... Can an Andriod phone be "jailbreaked" like the iPhones n iPads ?
Is rooting the same thing as "jailbreak" ?

Never used an Android hence I'm asking.

Tnx
Click to expand...

Like the previous post said, android standard is like a jail broken iphone. Rooting gives you the ability to change what ever you want. And lets you run cool apps like samba server (pc networking) on your phone.


Sent from my droid blender, making apple and berry smoothies all day.
 
milomak said:
it may be the case it will be disabled in later versions of android.

but yeah i do not get how this will affect the tethering options embedded in Gingerbread.
Click to expand...

I doubt it. South African CSP's likes tethering, as you will use more data on your PC than on your phone, and therefore pay more. Also, they charge the same rates for cellphone data contracts and GSM/UMTS dongles. In the US you are not allowed to tether your phone, because the CSP wants to charge more for "PC" data than "Cellphone" data. And then they can give out better-looking packages people won't really fully utilize.

If we start seeing a difference in price between dongles' pricing models and cellphone data's pricing models, I'd start worrying about this. There is the current BB packages that seems to be subsidized to some degree, though I understand (not being a BB user) that certain methods of tethering puts you back on a standard plan.
 
Sounds awesome the rooting. Definetly looking @ getting a decent spec Andriod when I'm due for upgrade.
 
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