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USB Tethering Working On iPhone 3.0 Through Hack

eviltangerine writes "Twitter user stroughtonsmith was dickering around with the carrier bundle files for his developer version of the iPhone 3.0 OS and enabled the USB tethering options. Apparently he has even been able to use his laptop to access the internet over the USB tether. MacRumors comments that while Apple has announced the availability of tethering, it hasn't hashed out the details with the mobile carriers (probably so they can charge more in fees). No word on connection speed, but here are some pictures of his phone while tethering."

31 of 219 comments (clear)

  1. Grrrrrrr by intheshelter · · Score: 5, Funny

    No haters have piled on here yet so I'll fill in for them. . . .

    Apple is the devil. I have this feature on my Nintendo 64. My blackberry has a direct T-1 to God. Etc. Etc.

    1. Re:Grrrrrrr by Shakrai · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Apple is the devil

      Apple has nothing on the wireless industry. This is the same industry that disables features that compete with their business model "for your protection", charges nearly as much to send a 160 character SMS as it would cost me to mail a letter across the country, sticks people with five digit bills when their device gets stolen, charges five times as much for minutes over your allowance as they do for your allowance minutes and locks you into long term contracts using the "subsidy" of the phone as an excuse even when you bring your own phone.

      In short, if the revolution comes, the wireless carriers will be up against the wall right after we finish with the Wall Street Executives and RIAA lawyers.

      --
      I want peace on earth and goodwill toward man.
      We are the United States Government! We don't do that sort of thing.
    2. Re:Grrrrrrr by wolrahnaes · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I'm with you right up to the part about being locked in when you bring your own phone. I've been on AT&T for four years now without ever being under contract, and no I am not on a "GoPhone" prepaid, it's a normal postpaid account even loaded up with features like laptop tethering.

      It's easy, I've been through four phones in that time and never once bought one subsidized, so if another GSM provider ever sprung up (or T-Mobile got a network that was worth a shit outside of cities) I could jump in a heartbeat. Technically I could go to a CDMA provider, but they all have horrible phones, so no.

      --
      I used to get high on life, but I developed a tolerance. Now I need something stronger.
    3. Re:Grrrrrrr by tdp252 · · Score: 2, Informative

      Having a plan in place that encourages a large number of signups and disconnects ("churn") as you suggest with "no contract" does nothing but make each subscriber more expensive to provision and creates a situation where system planners can never accurately perform capacity planning. Believe it or not the call detail records for both voice and data are quite expensive to maintain.

      Also "bringing your own phone" can cause a customer service nightmare where people expect to use their POS phones they brought 10 years ago, for which Reps cannot all be fully trained to answer questions. This then leads to all sorts of industry analysts claiming customer satisfaction is garbage when it's really the customer's shooting themselves in the foot.

    4. Re:Grrrrrrr by Shakrai · · Score: 2, Insightful

      does nothing but make each subscriber more expensive to provision

      Wouldn't my $35 "activation fee" cover this expense? The "activation fee" that is (amazingly enough) not typically waived even when you get locked into a two year contract? Do you expect us to believe that it costs more than $35 to provision a customer when said provisioning process never seems to take more than 3-5 minutes? I guess keying an ESN/SIM card into your system is a real PITA, huh?

      Believe it or not the call detail records for both voice and data are quite expensive to maintain.

      Do you expect us to believe that it's harder for you to keep call detail records than it is for the landline company, who manages to sell service without contracts? You might have a few more fields in your database than they do (call origination) but I don't think that's a particularly burdensome requirement.

      Also "bringing your own phone" can cause a customer service nightmare where people expect to use their POS phones they brought 10 years ago, for which Reps cannot all be fully trained to answer questions.

      In my experience your reps are useless with carrier branded phones as well. In any case this problem could be solved by directing people to the manufacturer for support if they have a non-branded phone. Ya know, the same business model that the landline company has been using for decades?

      This then leads to all sorts of industry analysts claiming customer satisfaction is garbage when it's really the customer's shooting themselves in the foot.

      Your customer satisfaction is garbage because you lock people into long term contracts and hold them hostage when they try to leave because of shitty service. Keep drinking the kool-aid though.

      --
      I want peace on earth and goodwill toward man.
      We are the United States Government! We don't do that sort of thing.
    5. Re:Grrrrrrr by intheshelter · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Actually Apple DOES focus on what something does. They focus on it so well that they don't release half baked functionality just to lengthen their feature list. When they do release a feature it works and it works well and it's usually well thought out and a pleasure to use. Thus you demonstrate my very point, you're so focused on a feature list (and the blatant BS of style over substance) that you don't see that HOW a feature works is necessary in order to make a feature useful.

  2. Wtf is tethering? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Wtf is tethering?

    1. Re:Wtf is tethering? by codegen · · Score: 4, Informative

      Wtf is tethering?

      Connecting your computer to the internet using your phone as a data modem.

      --
      Atlas stands on the earth and carries the celestial sphere on his shoulders.
    2. Re:Wtf is tethering? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      It's when you attach the USB cord to the iPhone and spin it around in a circle like crazy. This generates a reality distortion field which allows your laptop to connect to the Internet.

    3. Re:Wtf is tethering? by rackserverdeals · · Score: 5, Funny

      Wtf is tethering?

      Connecting your computer to the internet using your phone as a data modem.

      You sure? I thought it involved leather outfits and a ball gag.

      --
      Dual Opteron < $600
    4. Re:Wtf is tethering? by Sebilrazen · · Score: 2, Funny

      More importantly, WTF is dickering? A combination of dicking around and tinkering? Wouldn't that just be what nerds do when they are bored?

      Basically yes, however the more colloquial term is masturbation.

      --
      "There are no facts, only interpretations." --Friedrich Nietzsche.
    5. Re:Wtf is tethering? by pacinpm · · Score: 2, Informative

      Hmm, I was sure every modern mobile handset has this feature anabled by default. And what network operator has to do with it anyway? It's not his business what I do with MY phone and connection I have already PAID.

      At least it works like that in Europe.

    6. Re:Wtf is tethering? by necro81 · · Score: 2, Funny
    7. Re:Wtf is tethering? by je+ne+sais+quoi · · Score: 2, Informative

      The idea here is that cell phone have a much wider access than wireless networks. At any given location, there's a much greater probability that you will have a cell signal than a wireless signal. Thus, by tethering you can have internet access for your computer wherever. Having the computer on the internet is important because it has a much wider feature set than your phone.

      I never bought an iphone because of the monthly rates, but if you're already paying AT&T 70 bucks a month for data service, I don't see why you shouldn't be able to tether it. Heck, if I traveled a little more and tethering was easy I would actually consider getting one.

      --
      Gentlemen! You can't fight in here, this is the war room!
    8. Re:Wtf is tethering? by Sponge+Bath · · Score: 5, Funny

      I thought it involved leather outfits and a ball gag.

      That *is* the ATT version of tethering, and they charge extra for it.

    9. Re:Wtf is tethering? by marsu_k · · Score: 2, Informative

      You are getting seriously ripped off. I pay 10e/month for unlimited use-as-you-see-fit data @384kbps. 1Mbps costs 20e/month and 2Mbps 30e/month, but so far I haven't had the need to have faster access when I can't find a hotspot.

  3. Re:nice try opening the pod day doors by ZeroExistenZ · · Score: 2, Funny

    two days later: 3.1 update nulls this hack

    More likely a statement "yes, it is supported and built in, but your carrier does not support it yet. Your phone, yes, but we sold it bundled, so our hands are tied. Talk to the provider.

    --
    I think we can keep recursing like this until someone returns 1
  4. It's wrong that.. by anilg · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ..a closed platform opening up brings news.. whereas other open (and closed) platforms have had this for a long time. The Apple RDF is strong..

    --
    http://dilemma.gulecha.org - My philospohical short film.
  5. Strange...I do that now on AT&T by Phoenix · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I do that on AT&T with a Sony Ericsson W350i. Now I have the unlimited data option on my account and thus there is no charge for the tethering to my laptop with my USB cable.

    It shows up in my statement every time I use the service and every bit that passes gets documented in my bill (it's darn thick).

    Thus it beggars the question of why Apple hasn't activated the feature on their phone with the only carrier that is *allowed* (AT&T) to use the phone in the United States, when the carrier in question already allows this function on other phones.

    Greed? Stupidity? Both?

    Phoenix

    --
    -- Wiccan Army, 13th Airborne Division "We will not fly silently into the night"
  6. Re:Extra cost for tethering by darkvad0r · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I do it over wifi with my jailbroken iPhone and my carrier (Orange France) has not noticed (or maybe I don't do it often enough for them to care about it). Either way, I'm sure there are ways to work around the tethering fee.

  7. Re:Lock Down by tkrotchko · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Carriers only do these kinds of things because we let them. If people simply wouldn't pay the fees, then they'd stop in about 3 months. But too many people gotta have it now, so the carriers are actually *correct* in charging these fees. People will not only take it on the chin, but they'll pay for the privilege of doing so.

    Your story, however, reminds me of the Motorola V710 I bought from Verizon about 4-5 years ago. It had bluetooth, but they locked it down so tight it was only useful for Bluetooth hands free. I'm sure you read about all the lawsuits (which came to nothing... Verizon offered to give you a few dollars off a new phone provided you signed up for 2 more years of service. Some deal), but hackers managed to come up with firmware that that enabled many of the profiles.

    Thus, the phone became far more useful, although it "cheated" (haha) Verizon of 25 cents every time you snapped a photo, or loaded na mp3 for a ringtone, or use it in a way that they felt you shouldn't. Anyway, long story short, when I'd go into Verizon stores from one end of the country to the other with the phone, the Verizon reps would look at it and say "oh. you have one of *those* phones". And the employees were genuinely bitter and angry that people like myself had loaded the hacked firmware to make the phone useful.

    Verizon has gone to much greater lengths in newer phones to prevent people from using their own property.

    I'm no longer with Verizon, BTW.

    --
    You were mistaken. Which is odd, since memory shouldn't be a problem for you
  8. Re:Extra cost for tethering by darkvad0r · · Score: 5, Interesting

    No, you got it all wrong. The phone and the laptop are connected aver wifi (adhoc network). Then I create a sock proxy on my iphone and setup firefox to go through that proxy. The data is effectively transferred over 3G or EDGE.

  9. WiFi tethering for Android by powelly · · Score: 2, Interesting

    If you have an Android DevPhone or a "rooted" T-Mobile G1 you can use the free application aNetShare to tether via WiFi.

    (Other wifi tethering applications are available, I have nothing to do with the software, just a happy user)

    --
    --- I'm sure using a computer was fun back in the 80's. *sigh*
  10. Cellular Addiction. Yeah, I'm talking to you. by geekmux · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Apple is the devil

    Apple has nothing on the wireless industry. This is the same industry that disables features that compete with their business model "for your protection", charges nearly as much to send a 160 character SMS as it would cost me to mail a letter across the country, sticks people with five digit bills when their device gets stolen, charges five times as much for minutes over your allowance as they do for your allowance minutes and locks you into long term contracts using the "subsidy" of the phone as an excuse even when you bring your own phone.

    In short, if the revolution comes, the wireless carriers will be up against the wall right after we finish with the Wall Street Executives and RIAA lawyers.

    I'm sorry I couldn't hear you over the obscene laughter coming from all the wireless execs.

    The only thing that will force a revolution in this industry is when you convince the entire teen population that cell phones are no longer hip, cool, or useful. Don't even get me started on teens and text messaging and their "need" to have 15000 texts a month freedoms.

    Until then, wireless companies will continue to enjoy the fruits of your addiction. Oh, and if you really feel you're being "robbed" these days, feel free to dig up a phone plan circa 1996 to compare current usage against.

  11. Re:Cellular Addiction. Yeah, I'm talking to you. by Shakrai · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The only thing that will force a revolution in this industry is when you convince the parents of the entire teen population not to pay for shit their kids don't need.

    Fixed that for you ;)

    --
    I want peace on earth and goodwill toward man.
    We are the United States Government! We don't do that sort of thing.
  12. Re:Useful report .... not by ruiner13 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Hackers - please don't spread the "how" until the 3.0 firmware is released. Don't give Apple time to fix the "bug" or "hole". I'd like to use this feature. Does it work on the 1st gen iPhones (EDGE) as well, or only the 3G models?

    --

    today is spelling optional day.

  13. Re:Extra cost for tethering by Kiaser+Zohsay · · Score: 2, Informative

    AT&T prices their unlimited data plans according to the internet capabilities of your phone. My HTC (WM6) is $30 a month, while my wife's Sony/Ericsson is only $20. My phone theoretically does tethering (Start | Settings | Connection | Wireless Modem) even though I do not have a tethering plan, but I have not had the opportunity to try it out yet.

    --
    I am not your blowing wind, I am the lightning.
  14. Re:Extra cost for tethering by Andy_R · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I want to tether when there's WiFi is available. My Mac Pro doesn't have a wifi card, so using my iPhone as a USB wifi adapter would save me buying one.

    --
    A pizza of radius z and thickness a has a volume of pi z z a
  15. Re:Cellular Addiction. Yeah, I'm talking to you. by cayenne8 · · Score: 3, Insightful
    "The only thing that will force a revolution in this industry is when you convince the parents of the entire teen population not to pay for shit their kids don't need.

    Fixed that for you ;)

    Wow. Do I ever stand corrected. Your statement is so true it's painful."

    I hear ya. It seems that today's parents have forgotten one of the most important words in their vocabulary...NO

    It seems parental units, somewhere along the years, have forgotten that THEY and ONLY THEY are in charge in a household. Things like toys, cell phones, video games, etc...are luxuries that are doled out as their option, they are not 'rights' that children have.

    I think that's why I seem to observer so many kids today with the sense of entitlement to all these things, rather than being grateful that they have a few luxuries. The kids seem to run the adults lives...rather than the other way around.

    Don't get me wrong, if a person chooses to have children, they do need to prepare themselves for the personal and financial sacrifice that goes with it. But, that doesn't mean that you no longer rule the roost so to speak.

    --
    Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
  16. Re:Cellular Addiction. Yeah, I'm talking to you. by kkwst2 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    While I certainly agree with this in principle, having texting available for your teen can be extremely useful for the parent as well. I often need to reach them and they don't answer their phone. Sometimes they're out of range, sometimes they just don't want to answer.

    If I text them, I know they got it and they generally respond right away. I can also text them from my computer without a cell phone and the responses come back to my email.

    Then when they have it, they get inundated with texts from other kids. My son gets an order of magnitude more texts than he sends. This is difficult to control, and so I get him the unlimited plan.

    You have to pick your battles with teenagers. You're not going to win every one, at least not and keep your sanity. This is not one that's worth fighting in my book. I certainly don't think I've spoiled my teenagers, but they still have entitlement issues. They usually grow out of it once they get out on their own and realize what it costs to live.

    None of this excuses the price fixing the wireless providers engage in. The fact that you get charged so much for both sending and receiving a text is outrageous.

  17. how to get kid to answer phone by SethJohnson · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I often need to reach them and they don't answer their phone. Sometimes they're out of range, sometimes they just don't want to answer.

    If your child isn't answering the phone when you call, you need to return the phone to the store you bought it from. Tell your child the device isn't succeeding at fulfilling the purpose for which you purchased it. If your teenager has a job and bought the phone himself / herself, then it is the child's choice of when to answer the phone.

    Seth