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Rumor: Apple and AT&T Developing iPhone Tethering Plan
gizmodo.com — According to a pretty legitimate-looking email thread from one of our readers, Steve Jobs may have responded to complaints that, since the pulling of NetShare from the App Store, iPhone-to-laptop tethering is impossible without jailbraking one's phone.
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- billbugger, on 08/28/2008, -2/+91iPhone tethering plan is stupid! I'm already paying for an unlimited data plan with at&t. So what if i'm browsing the internet on my phone or my laptop. You shouldn't offer what you can support (unlimited data).
- serif69, on 08/29/2008, -1/+19AT&T does the same thing with all their smartphone plans. It's absurd.
- chayashida, on 08/29/2008, -0/+2Um, no. I can use Bluetooth on my Treo 680 for Internet access on my notebook.
It's EDGE, though, so it's only good in emergencies, to manage servers from the Unix shell. Citrix sessions work, albeit a little slow.
- chayashida, on 08/29/2008, -0/+2Um, no. I can use Bluetooth on my Treo 680 for Internet access on my notebook.
- JohanMarcusGuy, on 08/29/2008, -16/+5Social media readers,
I don't normally reply to topics, but this really has me outraged. It seems everytime we finally get some straight-talk out of apple, they up and change the ball game (I should know, i'm a tennis coach). Now, not to sound disagreeable, but when I bought each of my Iphones I did it with the utmost confidence that my phone would not be communicating to any other devices.
Apple is throwing people's privacy under a bus.
Think about it and you'll agree, if your massage therapist revealed all your diseases to your employer (i've experienced this) you could easily be fired. That's a breach of contract and so is this.
Except this time you can't blame the phone, because it's been programmed to give all of your information out of a whim.
Apple is to blame here, I don't care what their stance is on invading other's privacy, I think it's unfair that they should encourage my Iphone to tell computers all of my sensitive information.
Stalkers, for example, could use this information to find out my real name and location.
Looking forward to your input,
J. [Name withheld for anonymity]- Norumeni, on 08/29/2008, -4/+10I love how you signed as "J. [Name withheld for anonymity]" but your username is JohanMarcusGuy, so we can clearly conclude that your name is Johan, and besides, signing your 'name' on a comment is lame.
- bbtweb, on 08/29/2008, -3/+4i don't have any trouble protecting my personal information on the iphone, you must be one of those people in need of the kill switch option...
- javaroast, on 08/29/2008, -1/+5You get my digg for most original troll on digg in quite some time.
- roebeet, on 08/30/2008, -0/+3I've been reading JMG's posts for the last two days - Water Polo coach, ex-doctor, teacher, graphics editor, psych teacher and now a tennis coach. I guess he just doesn't sleep at night, with all these jobs!
- tacochampion, on 08/29/2008, -10/+3I'm so amused.
How much more money are you going to let them take from you?
After they take it, how much longer are you going to stay on your knees begging for more?
You are all so pathetic. I can't believe you put up with all this.- PrometheusBorn, on 08/29/2008, -5/+7Why do people act like AT&T's plan is so ridiculously expensive? I'm paying now for my unlimited data as much as I paid for a cell phone plan 6 years ago. How is that pathetic?
Oh, yeah. I forgot. It's Apple. Let's criticize! - Lionhart, on 08/29/2008, -2/+1How about you go live on your own little island? Then you won't have to deal with the big evil corporation and their soulless followers. After all you're so much better than everyone else.
- Qumahlin, on 08/29/2008, -1/+1"You are all so pathetic"
By you "all" you mean the less than 5% of customers that use tethering or even know what it is? It's quite hard to piss off your customers doing something like this when the very large majority of your customers do not use the feature and the ones that do use it are the ones that are not profit makers so its better to force them to leave and use another carrier. Simple business.
- PrometheusBorn, on 08/29/2008, -5/+7Why do people act like AT&T's plan is so ridiculously expensive? I'm paying now for my unlimited data as much as I paid for a cell phone plan 6 years ago. How is that pathetic?
- pintomp3, on 08/29/2008, -0/+6that's why i stick to t-mobile. i hope they don't change their stance on tethering once they roll out 3-g.
- russelbutt, on 08/29/2008, -0/+2i use my tmobile shadow for tethering when im here at work.. example:
i cant hook my laptop up to the network (security reasons), and there arent any wifi spots around.. so i can check my personal email and get on various other sites that are blocked, all while on my laptop using my shadow's connection..
but yes, i hope they dont add a charge to this feature once they roll out their 3G network.. :/
- russelbutt, on 08/29/2008, -0/+2i use my tmobile shadow for tethering when im here at work.. example:
- dfsjdkflasjk, on 08/29/2008, -1/+2It's reported on Gizmodo, it must be true!
- robbob, on 08/29/2008, -2/+1Its unlimited for you PHONE, not your PC via a phone---that'll cost ya.
If you have AT&T broadband at home, it should be free.- habbofresh, on 08/29/2008, -1/+2The decries of the upset folks on here believe that it's ridiculous the plan is unlimited. And whether you're directly using the phone or tethering, data is data. If it's unlimited. why is the carrier so restrictive?
I think AT&T is afraid people who use the phone to tether their laptops will demand larger volumes of data which will encroach their brand spankingly new updated 3g network.
- habbofresh, on 08/29/2008, -1/+2The decries of the upset folks on here believe that it's ridiculous the plan is unlimited. And whether you're directly using the phone or tethering, data is data. If it's unlimited. why is the carrier so restrictive?
- Elranzer, on 08/29/2008, -2/+1AT&T and Apple proving once again that they hate their customers.
- serif69, on 08/29/2008, -1/+19AT&T does the same thing with all their smartphone plans. It's absurd.
- jpeeler, on 08/29/2008, -1/+24I think this is fake when I put in ATT in my iPhone it corrects it to AT&T.
- phiebs, on 08/29/2008, -1/+9Thats a valid point... if it were really sent from Sir Steve's iPhone.... I still don't get why it's extra... I'm in Thailand and pay about $10 a month for unlimited EDGE/GPRS and I use my iPhone to tether with NetShare app... sweet
- pixelate, on 08/29/2008, -0/+1Perhaps you don't think Steve Jobs inputs his iPhone text telepathically.
Perhaps you are a fool. - MalDON, on 08/29/2008, -0/+3Or maybe he turned of the autocorrect. I know I did..
- daschupa, on 08/29/2008, -0/+0why dad you to that fur?
- GliTCH82, on 08/29/2008, -0/+2I'm guessing Steve Jobs isn't the kind of person that dislikes a feature and lets Apple keep it the way it is.
- VitriolAndAngst, on 08/29/2008, -0/+3Or it could be a test to see how the market reacts.
Hopefully, the shock and dismay of adding $30 onto this bloated, parasite plan should be enough for them to know that only Donald Trump and Paris Hilton are going to accept this fee.
- Sixxer, on 08/29/2008, -2/+39NetShare.app
- sp1r1t, on 08/29/2008, -0/+12I actually read this article using NetShare and my Mac, ironic.
- Qumahlin, on 08/29/2008, -0/+3Netshare was/is being pulled. Hence why they are discussing it. You'll notice netshare only comes up if you search for it now, it doesn't show up in the general listings ever since they put it back and they stated thats intentional
- mikedub1219, on 08/29/2008, -0/+2if you have your 2.0.x iphone jailbroken, you can setup a tether with BossPrefs
- brianez21, on 08/29/2008, -0/+7Netshare.ipa (google it)
- WiseWeasel, on 08/29/2008, -0/+2http://digg.com/apple/iPhone_2_0_NetShare_Cracked_ ...
(requires jailbreak)
- BuryHuffPost, on 08/29/2008, -17/+3Another reason why the iPhone is for noobs.
The people who need tether do not use iPhones and the people who have iPhones are too tech-ignorant to use tethering other than to see how neat it is. Thus, the bandwidth increase for iPhone tethering will be very small.
This is a marketing thing. It's one more thing to throw on the iPhone ad. One more thing to show off to your friends. One more thing for ATT to charge you for.- Sherman901, on 08/29/2008, -8/+3yes, too tech ignorant. whatever you say to keep your ego afloat. so the ***** what man? something is easy to use, i'm going to use it. ***** off.
and as a disclaimer, i'm not tech ignorant. i've worked around pc's for as long as i can remember and have used multiple linux distro's- wilsgrant, on 08/29/2008, -0/+8While I think the OP is a joke too, this guy saying he "isn't tech ignorant" because he "has used multiple linux distros" is pretty hilarious.
- B1663r, on 08/29/2008, -0/+1Thats what I call ignorant enough to be dangerous. Where as total noobs will have trouble doing things like installing software, someone who is still ignorant, but knows how to delete the hard drive is an active danger. Ive moved on from that area of the business, but they were the type of people who were the bread and butter of the computer business for many years.
- Sherman901, on 08/29/2008, -0/+4well i figured that buryhuffpost was one of those self righteous linux users that thinks he's god because he can use a command line. i don't have to prove anything to any of you anyway
- Sherman901, on 08/29/2008, -8/+3yes, too tech ignorant. whatever you say to keep your ego afloat. so the ***** what man? something is easy to use, i'm going to use it. ***** off.
- kkiran, on 08/29/2008, -0/+15I am sure this is not going to happen anytime soon given the f**ing inconsistency with 3G n/w in NYC!!! It drops back to EDGE most of the time, just imagine tethering with EDGE..will just add to your frustration given that you will be paying for 'tether' option! Buyer beware!!
- skidooer, on 08/29/2008, -1/+3I'd rather be able to tether with EDGE than to not be able to do it at all.
- Drizzit, on 08/29/2008, -0/+1What's this? The internet is HIDING!
LOOK I've Found it with my Verizon Wireless EVDO RevA Aircard!
On the serious side I can not wait to see how LTE turns out. Hopefully they will finally compete head to head. Though I suspect they'll have entirely different launch cities.
- MrScotchBoy, on 08/29/2008, -7/+1I think this would be awesome...i'd love to get rid of my wi-fi card in favor of tethering with my iPhone
- B1663r, on 08/29/2008, -14/+2This is obvious iPhone FUD. The iPhone iNternet experience is superior to any laptop.
- B1663r, on 08/29/2008, -7/+2Why dig me down haters??? The iPhone is a revolutionary device that is disruptive to the point of changing how we think about phones and computers. Steve said so!!! It must be true!
- Uclabruin4lyf8, on 08/29/2008, -1/+13They are probably going to release the Netshare app for a monthly fee -.-
- miquonranger031, on 08/29/2008, -8/+2wtf is jailbraking?
- DanBoodro, on 08/29/2008, -4/+3you lose
- borninda818, on 08/29/2008, -1/+4http://threeplusone.com/misc/askdumb
- chikmag777, on 08/29/2008, -0/+2I think miquonranger031 was sarcastically pointing out the misspelling of "jailbreaking"
- killerknives, on 08/29/2008, -2/+14except for the people who got netshare for 10 dollars and are never giving it up
- Qumahlin, on 08/29/2008, -1/+6You did read the article that states Apple can remotely delete any app on your phone right? Not much people can do if Apple/ATT decided to take it away.
- blorc, on 08/29/2008, -0/+3They won't. It's not worth the bad PR for the relatively small number of people that got it.
- Bootes, on 08/29/2008, -0/+2You can jailbreak and install Netshare or any other proxy software as has been possible since the 1st gen iPhone came out.
- ramsinks.com, on 08/29/2008, -0/+1not mine. ;)
- Qumahlin, on 08/29/2008, -1/+6You did read the article that states Apple can remotely delete any app on your phone right? Not much people can do if Apple/ATT decided to take it away.
- mugupo, on 08/29/2008, -4/+3Apple, can you just make a unlocked version or make it avalible for other network, that will solve the issue of people try to illegal jailbreak and avoid data fee.
- EmperorPsiblade, on 08/29/2008, -0/+2And how the ***** is jailbreaking illegal?
Zibri's ***** has copyrighted Apple code, but the Dev Team's stuff is clean.
(You know, because we all jailbreak to avoid nonexistant "data fees") - Qumahlin, on 08/29/2008, -0/+2Solve the issue? How does that solve the issue as its not an "issue" for apple, its only an issue for the user. The only "issue" for Apple/ATT is how to best profit off of it.
- EmperorPsiblade, on 08/29/2008, -0/+2And how the ***** is jailbreaking illegal?
- cerealjynx, on 08/29/2008, -3/+2Sweet, Steve Jobs talks like Venom.
"WE are Apple!" - digitallysick, on 08/29/2008, -9/+11amazing! i bet in 2 years it will have a 5 megapixel cam, and un restricted bluetooth! oh wait, nokia N95 had those features for almost a year already....
- Qumahlin, on 08/29/2008, -7/+5Which just goes to show you how many people actually care about ***** like having a 5 megapixel camera on their ***** cell phone or people that require unrestricted bluetooth. Now if only Nokia had learned to make their products user friendly and "pretty".
Unadulterated "features" do not sell a product except to pure techies and I hate to break it to you, but most consumers are far from techies. Your average consumer doesn't even know what cellphone tethering is- russelbutt, on 08/29/2008, -3/+2spoken like a true fan boy..
"5 megapixel camera? sweet, i dont need to bring my point-and-shoot!"
"unrestricted bluetooth? awesome, let me send this great picture i just took with my 5 megapixel camera straight to your phone!" - championchap, on 08/30/2008, -0/+1everyone ive spoken to hates that the iPhone doesnt let you send photos.. though they understand why sending songs might be limited.
They also "know" that the higher the megapixel the better.
Shame they think that the megapixel count is all that matters about a camera though.
Even if my iPhone had a 10megapixel camera on it i'd still bring a ***** camera with me if i thought i was going to need good quality pictures. - digitallysick, on 08/30/2008, -0/+1have you looked at the n95 photo quality? its damn good actually, you wouldn't need a separate cam, (most people) all my iphone pics were blurry and had no detail/depth. Especially in areas with lots of different lighting.
- russelbutt, on 08/29/2008, -3/+2spoken like a true fan boy..
- Qumahlin, on 08/29/2008, -7/+5Which just goes to show you how many people actually care about ***** like having a 5 megapixel camera on their ***** cell phone or people that require unrestricted bluetooth. Now if only Nokia had learned to make their products user friendly and "pretty".
- plimpton777, on 08/29/2008, -2/+42AT&T's got another thing coming if they think I'm going to shell out even MORE money for their half-assed data plan. I live in New York City which, some might argue, is a fairly populous region, yet despite this I only get 3G service HALF the time, and rarely a full signal, at that. The other half of the time my iphone falls back on the Edge Network. But I'm being BILLED for full-time 3G service, that's for damned sure.
Suck it, Apple. And suck it, AT&T.- evanstapler, on 08/29/2008, -1/+5No matter how many times you tell them to "suck it", it ends with your money in their pockets.
- jjustin01, on 08/29/2008, -1/+4If you're not happy with the ATT and want to keep the iPhone, jailbreak it and go elsewhere. If you still aren't happy with the phone after, sell the damn thing on eBay and buy something else.
It's amazing how many people bitch and moan about the phone/service sucking ass and yet they continue to keep paying every month to the people they hate the most. At that point, you might as well formally bend over because you are already taking it up the ass.- plimpton777, on 08/30/2008, -3/+2It's called a "service agreement contract," douchebag. And it's legally binding for 12 months. And I'm on Digg, and this is the topic, and this is my opinion. So I will gladly spout my bitching as far and wide as I goddamn well please, and you will listen to it, because I am awesome. Suck it!
- orph3us, on 08/30/2008, -0/+1You can pay some amount of money to cancel it can't you?
- iPanda, on 08/29/2008, -0/+5Why wouldn't you jailbrake your iphone? Its not like Apple updates immediately fix any problems, and any updates they release are/will be cracked in a small time frame.
On the plus side you get all the app's for free (and obv if you like the app you buy it to support the developers) and much more control over your phone.
Your paying up the ass for it, might as well enjoy it.- NJank, on 08/29/2008, -3/+1(and obv if you like the app you buy it to support the developers)
whoo... you had me until that line. I thought you were being serious.
- NJank, on 08/29/2008, -3/+1(and obv if you like the app you buy it to support the developers)
- jamaph, on 08/29/2008, -2/+3I probably wouldn't use this feature often.... I have ability to get WiFi from my residence, and at my college... Plus with having a 3G iPhone I rarely even use the WiFi option anymore.... I find the 3G browsing speeds (at least for my area) are incredible.
- BXRWXR, on 08/29/2008, -0/+29I think that's a good idea. People are always dropping those things and they can be quite expensive to replace.
- nerdherder, on 08/29/2008, -1/+4You win.
- CanadaMan87, on 08/29/2008, -0/+10In Canada, Rogers Wireless allows smartphones to be used as 'tethered' internet devices. So I'm not sure why Apple removed NetShare.app from the Canadian App Store as well. Unless it's just that if the American's can't have it, nobody can.
- tomis, on 08/30/2008, -0/+1Because if it's the rule in America, it's the rule in the rest of the world. That's how things work now. If you don't agree, America invades you.
- FreddieD, on 08/29/2008, -0/+6The unfortunate thing is even with the NetShare app, it isn't a true tether. All that (or the jailbreak equivalent) does is fake a proxy that your web browser can connect to. So not only does it only work on applications that have SOCKS settings, but you have to manually configure your applictions to use the proxy. Forget using it for higher end tasks such as connecting to your company's VPN.
A *real* tethering application would be one where your computer recognizes your phone as an actual modem. I keep my old Treo in my backpack for this exact purpose (swapping SIMs between the two phones) when the need arises (at the airport waiting for my delayed flight, etc).- laelfrog, on 08/29/2008, -0/+2Thank you for pointing this out NetShare != tethering. SOCKS Proxy != tethering.
If I remember the agreement correctly, you can't *technically* use the iPhone's Data connection for anything besides Websites and email and it had a small data cap on it.
A legitimate tethering plan might make sense as a business expense. I don't think it is that outrageous of an idea (fake or not) - totorototoro, on 08/29/2008, -0/+1That is an interesting distinction, actually, for any App Store App-because Apple doesn't allow any 3rd parties access to the dock connector, no one would be able to develop a true tethering App anyways....except Apple.
- mike17032, on 08/29/2008, -0/+2Yuck I didnt know that, thanks you saved me a world of pain finding that out on my own.
I use my Tilt to play WoW from, so that wouldnt work on a iPhone. - tylermoyn, on 08/29/2008, -0/+0Quick Q: your implying you CAN use your iPhone SIM (herein, iSIM) in your treo and still utilize the unlimited data plan? Thus allowing the treo to act as a modem/tether for your laptop?
Reason I ask, I have a Pantech Duo and when I insert my iSIM the internet does not work (of course calling does though). I called ATT and they said the iPhone data is unique to the iPhone and will not work on other headsets... Is there a way around this that you are using on your treo?
Thanks
- laelfrog, on 08/29/2008, -0/+2Thank you for pointing this out NetShare != tethering. SOCKS Proxy != tethering.
- cordtripper, on 08/29/2008, -0/+3I doubt this, in order for an iPhone 3g Tether plan to work 3G has to work, and its obvious that it doesn't work properly at least not in NY.
- Chassit, on 08/29/2008, -13/+7iPhone=buried
- digiguy, on 08/29/2008, -1/+3If you really need to use your laptop always on the go, just get an express card. If not use the free wireless service at the coffee bean
http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cel ...- NJank, on 08/29/2008, -2/+1restated: "you guys are idiots. why wouldn't you pay more to do the same thing? jeez."
- cyberwave, on 08/29/2008, -2/+0I agree with NJank. digiguy is ***** retarded.
- digiguy, on 08/29/2008, -1/+1what the hell is your ***** problem, calling people ***** retard for a comment?. YOU ARE A ***** SICK MORON YOURSELF *****. GO ***** YOURSELF. I"M USING A CELLULAR CARD AND I KNOW ALOT OF PEOPLE WHO CAN AFFORD IT. KEEP YOUR ***** COMMENTS TO YOURSELF. THIS IS WHAT BRINGS DIGG DOWN
- fuelcarddotorg, on 08/29/2008, -0/+1wait til you all see the PDAnet app for the iphone. It works just like their app for WM, which is great. One click and you're online
- anttheman101, on 08/29/2008, -0/+1i still got my netshare :)
- Seidoger, on 08/29/2008, -1/+1Lucky you! Seriously.
- Sparky9292, on 08/29/2008, -0/+3The way to get around this is to Jailbreak your phone and use Netshare. Jailbreaking is not illegal. No one is going to arrest you, and AT&T can't tell how you are using your internet connection.
- Qumahlin, on 08/29/2008, -0/+2Actually it's quite trivial to tell a user who is tethering from a user browsing on their phone just by looking at data volumes, sites visited, etc. Thats just using base stats. If You want to get into actually looking at the packet level it becomes even more obvious, but you really don't need to look that far.
- MalDON, on 08/29/2008, -2/+1In addition, they could see swf's being loaded from the ads. Dead give away right there...
- orph3us, on 08/30/2008, -0/+1data volumes really? I mean if you are using it for light browsing and email once in a while, I don't think they can tell can they? I mean the iphone loads full web pages anyway, so how are they going to know the difference?
- Qumahlin, on 08/29/2008, -0/+2Actually it's quite trivial to tell a user who is tethering from a user browsing on their phone just by looking at data volumes, sites visited, etc. Thats just using base stats. If You want to get into actually looking at the packet level it becomes even more obvious, but you really don't need to look that far.
- CMuffa, on 08/29/2008, -2/+2Wow, my Blackberry Pearl from AT&T already allows this for free (with an unlimited data plan (bluetooth or USB)). This is just another useless expense that Apple has figured out how to capitalize on. Pay up iDummy.
- Lionhart, on 08/29/2008, -0/+3I'm pretty sure the iPhone unlimited data plan is cheaper than Blackberry's. Correct me if I'm wrong.
- totorototoro, on 08/29/2008, -0/+2Really? When I check AT&T's site:
http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cel ...
I see $30 unlimited data, $60 for 5GB with tethering for the BlackBerry Pearl.
When I look at the iPhone plans, I see $30 unlimited data.
Do you have another link I'm missing somehow? Because I'm pretty sure AT&T, when they switched the iPhone from $20 to $30, claimed they were just moving the iPhone pricing to be in line with all their other Smartphone data offerings.
- angrycat, on 08/29/2008, -1/+10Steve
Sent from my iPhone
Hahaha I feel like such a douche when I send out emails with that last line. It's like walking into a restaurant and yelling "HAY GUYS I DROVE HERE IN MY FERRARI".- lostngone, on 08/29/2008, -1/+1That doesn't work when you drive a Yugo.
- Qumahlin, on 08/29/2008, -0/+2Well than you can just remove the signature line or change it...which is one of the first things I do when i've purchased a smartphone since they all like to add that *****.
- robbob, on 08/29/2008, -1/+1It's there to show you made this email from a phone, so don't scrutinize the spelling. (autocomplete isn't very smart) In business, perception is everything.
- totorototoro, on 08/29/2008, -1/+2Gee, its too bad Apple didn't provide some...setting...or....preference....to be able to, I don't know..change that default signature to something else, or remove it completely. Some way...
- yonis, on 08/31/2008, -0/+1Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars > Signature > Clear it out or replace it with your own.
Easy.
- pavelmah, on 08/29/2008, -0/+3OK need some advice. I live in NY. I used be an AT&T customer 6-7 years ago. the service was so horrible that it still gives me nightmares, I would never get full bar connection, even if I stand next to a cell tower.
I am sure a lot changed since than as they merged with companies and upgraded and increased their equipment, my contract with sprint just ended last week. I really badly want to switch to AT&T for iphone, how is your expereince with iphone in NY?
Internet is my secondary concern, I am more concerned with having enough connection to make a phone call (which use to be a problem with AT&T several years ago).
Not trolling. Honest questions. Thanks!!- B1663r, on 08/29/2008, -2/+4The iPhone 3G is having serious problems. It is well documented. However the Apple fanboys feel so strongly that it is an apple product that they are suppressing (at least here on digg) any story that points out that the 3G basically doesnt work. Instead they are posting spin articles that try and minimize the 3G problems. Their effect on the news cycle is so profound right now that you not only see stories like this one that propose tethering to the non-existant 3G on the iPhone 3G but you are also seeing stories about the power of the fanboy effect on the news cycle.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/1700ap_appl ...
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/apwir ...
The second one is kind of scarry actually. The guy admits that Apple has been making crap products for the last two years, but he hates Microsoft for all its worth, so no Microsoft products for him!
Apple has become the George Bush (and bushies) of the Tech industry. It is quite a compelling story. - VitriolAndAngst, on 08/29/2008, -0/+1Get your service from T-Mobile.
Then jump on WiMax and surf open connections with a ultra-light laptop - or use an iTouch, It should be cheaper by far.
I say this as an Apple fan. But AT&T still sucks for connections and pricing.
But I'm not in NY using an iPhone -- but I just talked to a lady with AT&T from NY. I wouldn't expect the iPhone to magically give better reception.- B1663r, on 08/29/2008, -2/+1VitriolAndAngst,
See thats what Im talking about. AT&T's service is fine. Other 3G phones work perfectly on AT&T's 3G network. The problem is the iPhone 3G, and it is ***** confirmed. Yet you are unable to make even that concession about an Apple product. Full blown cognotive dissonance. - VitriolAndAngst, on 08/31/2008, -0/+1They've done a few third-party tests and proven that there is no problem in reception for the iPhone. It might be software -- but AT&T's network, which is a hodge-podge from their old cell service, Cingular, and such, can cause the average call to make 15 hops.
From a technical standpoint -- they have a higher uphill battle to achieve a good network.
- B1663r, on 08/29/2008, -2/+1VitriolAndAngst,
- B1663r, on 08/29/2008, -2/+4The iPhone 3G is having serious problems. It is well documented. However the Apple fanboys feel so strongly that it is an apple product that they are suppressing (at least here on digg) any story that points out that the 3G basically doesnt work. Instead they are posting spin articles that try and minimize the 3G problems. Their effect on the news cycle is so profound right now that you not only see stories like this one that propose tethering to the non-existant 3G on the iPhone 3G but you are also seeing stories about the power of the fanboy effect on the news cycle.
- euphoria860, on 08/29/2008, -1/+1a pretty legitimate-looking email...
initiate face palm? - ColorBlind, on 08/29/2008, -2/+1i like my phone that runs 68 bucks a month and calls people. It's great.
- MalDON, on 08/29/2008, -0/+2My iphone is only 63 a month and I can call people AND browse the internet. It's great.
- LeviTheSmith, on 08/30/2008, -0/+1I have a pre-pay mobile phone that is absolutely ***** in features but it calls people.
- MalDON, on 08/29/2008, -0/+2My iphone is only 63 a month and I can call people AND browse the internet. It's great.
- elliottdotorg, on 08/29/2008, -0/+6Two words for ya, Apple: FREE TETHERING!
- russ3, on 08/29/2008, -0/+4This is *****! A computer company makes a phone, and its basically useless together. When they releasd the iphone 3g i thought, well finally i can ge internet on my computer, but no, not possible. When the first iphone was released with blackberry i thought, oh good, my iphone and MBP will team up and be able to do awesome ***** like send texts from my comp and a caller ID growl notification and *****, but I got nothing. On top of that its an ipod with bluetooth in it, but i still have to plug in my headphones. For a device with all the right little gizmos in it, they certainly didnt connect them all in the proper way.
- gemlarin, on 08/29/2008, -0/+1Seems like something that should be a free feature for the price you pay for the phone + data plan.
A good business should not nickle and dime people to death. - petaganayr, on 08/29/2008, -0/+1Suckers!
- dafinux, on 08/29/2008, -2/+1...my Windows Mobile device works perfect on the same 3G network...funny how that is.
- sdipaola, on 08/29/2008, -2/+1WHAT WE FEARED:
The bigger issue here is first evidence, that apples management of the APP STORE will be based on corporate greed which they have shown now that they will censor apps based on their business model ( without feeling the need to explain the rules, like other evil companies at least do) rather than for the reason of protecting their customers from poor quality or dangerous apps. They took down a fine teether app for no other reason than, that they might want to charge for a future service. In my book it is the worse form of DRM like corporate practice - and makes the APP Store concept tainted. (Those that would blame ATT are being too US centric - teether is allowed with most worldwide Apple iphone resellers). Will Apple in the future disable an APP you already purchased ( given their ability to disable any app on your personal phone) because it might be part of their future business model. Apple is in fact IMHO now showing that they are the worst company for corporate greed based DRM like control. Other evidence of this is that there seems to be more and more reports of newer (2.0+) itunes release are slowly crippling non affiliated 1st gen iphones ( dead strip issues, etc). Apple knowingly sold over 1/2 million iphone to the unlocked market and made good money on it - now because of the itunes DRM back door they seem to be ready to break iphone real consumers bought and paid for, just because they changes their business model after the fact (affiliated reselller worldwide)- ACiDGRiM, on 08/29/2008, -0/+1agreed
- cathpah, on 08/29/2008, -0/+1mine's always free....SERO FTW!
- VitriolAndAngst, on 08/29/2008, -1/+1This sounds legit, the $30 extra per month plan, however, is missing the extra legitimate details like "bend over and take it like a man."
I mean, if you have two people on a family plan with AT&T, and of course the web browsing on G3, then this should take you from $220 to $250 per month. You can either afford a car payment, or an iPhone for two.
We all know they took that tethering software off because it meant that you wouldn't need to get another web access plan for some computer or laptop you were using. AT&T is nicely moving into the mode of tyrant monopoly corporation quite well. They are enjoying this nostalgic trip back to the good old days.
Can't wait for the "service plan" to keep your phone tip-top. Or $50 certified ear phones, because you cannot get them from a non-certified, non-AT&T company. - podforpeace, on 08/29/2008, -0/+0I tethered my Motorola V3 in KY with unlimited Cingular to my MacPro. Then they charged me $19.95 a month when they found out! Now that Cingular is ATT. F'em. Greedy B's. Been an Apple user most of my life (after BigBlue), and this rumor sorely disappoints...doubt it is even true. ATT DSL S's too, with barely 3G. Tried most of my life to get ATT out of it, but each time I've gone to a different carrier...merge happens. There is no peace here. But won't stop trying. Open for suggestions.
- blurbyu, on 08/29/2008, -0/+1I'll consider this IF:
AT&T fixes their network around here. Cell coverage is weak unless I'm outside on a hill.
I'm screwed if I'm in any kind of building that doesn't have a cell tower within a block of it.
AND
Apple fixes my iPhone's 3G. It's ridiculous that I need to manually disable 3G so I can place a phone call. I've given up on even using 3G now. I use Edge and/or Wi-Fi only.
It's still the best PDA out there, and that is the only reason I still have it. - ohemsted, on 08/29/2008, -0/+1This would probably be more use for UK iPhone users, as 3G coverage in the UK (from O2) is much better than AT&T's 3G coverage (in the US).
- ramsinks.com, on 08/29/2008, -0/+1Hmm, na thanks. My iphone tethering 3G plan is working just fine
kthx - heystoopid, on 08/29/2008, -0/+1So now I know why Apple put the "i" in phone !
- maloventevil, on 08/30/2008, -0/+1how is this news? no ***** they're developing tethering -- all the competitors have it!
- tomis, on 08/30/2008, -0/+1Why would you want a tether. Just use bluetooth.
- Avian00, on 08/30/2008, -0/+1The person writes the following to Steve:
"I understand the desire to prevent tethering with the current data plan, but I am willing to pay more money to allow tethering!"
Seriously? He understands?! For starters, $30 / month is already a ludicrous price for a single device to have Internet access. More so, how is an ADDITIONAL $30 / month for the right to tether a even remotely a fair price?!?! This is absurd! Why do we (the consumers) keep putting up with this crap?! Stop giving these companies your money! Maybe they'll get a clue! - zimsters, on 08/30/2008, -0/+1jailbreak + 3dproxy.
- Ebacherville, on 08/30/2008, -0/+1The iPhones service is one of the most expensive on the planet, next to a satellite phone, tethering should be part of the deal. I mean come on how much bandwidth can you possible use at sub-DSL speeds of 3g..
The only thing I can see ATT bucking at is that people will use voip on there PC, but then again, jailbreak you iphone and voip on your iphone :)
But when you sign your ATT contract , find the part that states they may control how much bandwidth you use and cross it out, (your modifying the contract and legally have that right, Sign the contract and there mindless drones at the store will probably not even notice you altered the contract.. if they accept your money then they agreed to your terms. Your now legally bond to nothing.. Id also cross out any cancelation fees.. A accepted contract like this will hold up in court. Look up the UCC (uniform commercial code). Its basically all about contracts and whats legal and not in contracts, If ATT accepts a contract like this a they have no recourse.. unless you left parts in that they can do.. the biggest one would be crossing off any cancellation fees, then if they deny service cancel, show them the ultered contract (you made a copy correct) jailbreak and go to verizion or whatever other service you like. - wush, on 11/06/2008, -0/+1I bought NetShare before I got the iPhone because I knew it would be pulled [/smug]
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