Comments on: Bluetooth Internet Tethering Just Saved the Day

By: Bill in NC

Bill in NC — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 18:11:40 +0000

Find a good friend with AT&T DSL and use their login for free wi-fi at starbucks & mcdonalds.

As for multiple devices, my ancient E815 cellphone tethers just fine via bluetooth.

By: Russ Rosier

Russ Rosier — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 23:33:41 +0000

I think there’s great utility at having 3G data plans on multiple carriers. My experience is with both AT&T (via iPhone 3GS) and Verizon Wireless (via MiFi 2200).

I found too many instances where my AT&T WWAN connection is either terribly slow on their 3G network, has can only connect to their EDGE network, or is otherwise totally unavailable. By having the Novatel MiFi 2200 handy, I can simply side-step those issues entirely and benefit from the reliablitity and sustained performance of EV-DO Rev A using my iPhone 3GS, one of my laptops, or some other wi-fi device.

By: Andre Kibbe

Andre Kibbe — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:48:25 +0000

James, allow me to let you in on dirty little secret: I’ve spent hours at a time a many Starbucks, and my WiFi connection has never been cut off. The baristas will tell you there’s a 2-hour limit, no doubt to discourage campers, but try sticking around for a few hours.

This is in contrast to The Coffe Bean, where there free wireless requires no card purchase, but times out for 10 minutes after 2 hours.

By: Oliver

Oliver — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:29:59 +0000

Get two Starbucks cards.

Personally, I cannot stand the Starbucks atmosphere for more than 90 mins Too noisy, too many overly important people having long/loud phone conversations. And often too cold (A/C cranked up).

By: Victor

Victor — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:43:22 +0000

How is it a value-add service when they’re making you pay for something they purposely crippled in the first place?

My friends always think I’m “crazy” for buying my phones unlocked. They’ll remark “how can you spend $400-800 on a phone?”

My response is “you’ll end up spending nearly $1000 more than me in service fees over the life of your 2 year contract and I can use all of the features of my phone during that time.”

By: Kal

Kal — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:04:16 +0000

They do, indeed, James. My bet is that this will change over time as consumers become more sophisticated about the possibilities. Right now, most of the services they charge extra for are available for free (or very cheap), if you have the time/desire/opportunity to implement the options. (I’m thinking about tethering, video and audio streaming, GPS, visual voice mail, ringtones, etc.) For many people, it’s much easier to throw another $10/month at the carrier for a service than it is to spend the time to seek other options. So, the carriers would be idiots not to cash in. That’ll change soon, though…

By: Griffon

Griffon — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 04:05:23 +0000

No. I already pay for the data, they don’t get to charge me to use it. ATT can suck my sack if they think they can gauge another $$ for something I already pay for (see SMNS vs data). Don’t forget they are going to rape everyone for MMSMS too.

By: James Kendrick

James Kendrick — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:00:20 +0000

I hear you loud and clear on that. Unfortunately the carriers make the rules and they also sometimes enforce them.

By: DaveZatz

DaveZatz — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:04:32 +0000

My Sprint MiFi keeps my AT&T iPhone in service when I have no coverage (frequently). That’s my cost for doing business on the network with fewer bars in more places.

By: Kal

Kal — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 21:21:19 +0000

Boy, Kevin, I’ve been going through the exact same thought processes lately. Mi-fi would be handy, but the 200MB plan is too small and the 5GB too expensive.

I’ve pretty much decided that I’m going to stick to ICS and/or WMWiFiRouter to turn my WinMob phone into an access point. I view it that I’m already paying for 5GB of data (on my so-called unlimited phone plan), and I don’t come near using it. Might as well put it to service for myself.

But, unlike you, I would not pay for it as an add-on. To my mind, that’s just charging me twice for the same access. Whether I use the data on the phone or pass it through to another device should be of no concern to my carrier.

By: turn.self.off

turn.self.off — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:57:02 +0000

from personal experience, yep, it should work.

tho it depends a bit, and mostly the issue is with music. when i use PAN the music is much more stable then when i use DUN, as then its more likely to stutter when i trigger a new transfer (like say when i hit a link on a web page).

This however could just as well be a issue with limited cpu on my phone…

By: Kevin C. Tofel

Kevin C. Tofel — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:55:30 +0000

Very true and if I get dinged, I get dinged. But I have yet to hear of anyone getting dinged for this yet. Doesn’t mean it won’t happen, but I’m not concerned. Believe me, I’m willing to pay a fee for the service. They just aren’t ready to charge me yet.

By: Kevin C. Tofel

Kevin C. Tofel — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:54:13 +0000

Nope. Two hours generally isn’t enough for me to begin with. My average time in a Starbucks is over 3 hours, so relying upon the Starbucks card isn’t a feasible solution for me.

By: Oliver

Oliver — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:50:37 +0000

So Kevin, you don’t have a Starbucks card that gives you two hours of free AT&T wifi each day?

By: Oliver

Oliver — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:49:54 +0000

Since the iPhone knows you’re tethering (unlike with the jailbreak hacks), I’d not be so sure that it doesn’t tell the network about it

By: Kevin C. Tofel

Kevin C. Tofel — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:26:58 +0000

I didn’t move the music, I simply used my BT headphones with the Pre instead of the iPhone. I wanted to ensure the maximum throughput for data between the iPhone and my Mac, but you’re right, it probably wouldn’t have made a difference.