Consumers hoping to tether the Wi-Fi version of Apple's iPad--soon to be released on April 3, 2010--won't be able to do so when AT&T eventually launches the long-awaited Internet-sharing feature.
According to a one-word reply from Steve Jobs in response to an email sent by Swedish websiteSlashat.se, there will be no way to tether a 3G connection from Apple's iPhone. Those wanting an always-on Internet connection--no matter where they are--will want to purchase the Wi-Fi + 3G model.
The news shouldn't be surprising even though the iPhone 3G provides Bluetooth and USB tethering support via the 3.x operating system. It's probably a given that tethering support is also available somewhere within the iPad's OS 3.2.
Outside Steve Job's simple "no" to iPad Wi-Fi tethering, Apple has made no comment on the Wi-Fi + 3G model's ability to tether a connection. The pricing of AT&T's iPad service also indicates that the company doesn't expect consumers to share a connection, especially when compared to the pricing of most general purpose 3G dongle plans.
On that same note, Verizon doesn't officially offer tethering to Android-based phones. However, there's an app that allows the device to tether a connection to a PC or Mac despite the wireless network limitations called PDANet.
Since both the iPad and iPhone share the same OS however, it's more than likely that an unlock will provide at least tethering via Bluetooth, Wi-FI, or both.
No comments:
Post a Comment