August 29th, 2008
iPhone tethering rumored
When I travel I carry a second phone alongside my iPhone – for one reason. Tethering.
I need to be able to get online wherever I am and Wi-Fi isn’t exactly ubiquitous and free Wi-Fi seems to be getting scarcer with each passing day. To make matters worse, Apple removed NullRiver’s NetShare tethering software from the App Store.
My second phone of choice is the LG Dare running on Verizon. It’s a very capable 3G touchscreen phone that runs on Verizon’s CDMA network, and unlike the iPhone, it allows tethering. (CNet reviewed the Dare in June 2008).
A Gimodo reader sent a squawk to Steve Jobs complaining that AT&T offers tethering for their 3G Blackberry handsets (granted, at a spendy US$30 premium per month) but yet it’s not available on Apple’s “advanced” device.
“Steve” (likely, one of his minions) replied:
We agree, and are discussing it with ATT.
Steve
If anything, this new iPhone tethering rumor confirms that Apple pulled NetShare from the App Store at the behest of AT&T who is trying to protect a huge potential revenue stream.
One request Steve: Don’t insult us by requiring the stupid, proprietary and expensive dock cable to tether. Tethering should be available via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
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Jason D. O'Grady is the editor of PowerPage.org, which has been publishing daily mobile technology news since December 1995. For disclosures on Jason's industry affiliations, click here or to view Jason's full profile click here.
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