Bluetooth to Wifi Adapter for tethering? USB?

[macduke]

My idea is to have some sort of small gadget that can pair to either the bluetooth or USB tethering of the iPhone and send that out via Wifi so that our iPads can tether off the iPhone. It sounds kinda clunky but not much worse than a MiFi. I basically want this for road trips and visiting relatives who don't have Wifi. Does anyone know if something like this already exists? And no, I don't really care to jb my iPhone. That MyWi app drains the battery so fast! I've read that it even drains the battery while plugged in.

 

[poloponies]

My idea is to have some sort of small gadget that can pair to either the bluetooth or USB tethering of the iPhone and send that out via Wifi so that our iPads can tether off the iPhone. It sounds kinda clunky but not much worse than a MiFi. I basically want this for road trips and visiting relatives who don't have Wifi. Does anyone know if something like this already exists? And no, I don't really care to jb my iPhone. That MyWi app drains the battery so fast! I've read that it even drains the battery while plugged in.

And an external device or one using bluetooth won't place an equal drain on the battery? Sorry, anything that makes demands on the iPhone will drain the battery, be it active 3G use on the iPhone itself, or 3G use on a tethered device. The obvious solution would be to use one of the numerous external battery options available for the iPhone. If this puppy ever comes out, then it's also a good alternative:

http://www.solarjoos.com/

 

[macduke]

And an external device or one using bluetooth won't place an equal drain on the battery? Sorry, anything that makes demands on the iPhone will drain the battery, be it active 3G use on the iPhone itself, or 3G use on a tethered device. The obvious solution would be to use one of the numerous external battery options available for the iPhone. If this puppy ever comes out, then it's also a good alternative:

http://www.solarjoos.com/

I've read reviews on the jb app, and it only lasts a couple hours at most from full charge. Last summer I had tethering on my iPhone using BT and it lasted way longer than that. The wifi method is a hack. Apple can probably optimize the power savings settings and things like that to implement a wifi tether, but they haven't, and for now bluetooth is a much lower power solution, especially compared to the jb app. It is not even close to an equal drain on the battery, as you can actually charge your phone while it is tethered. It keeps up with the charge rate vs power consumption. I don't think you read all of my post. A battery pack won't do anything but make it last a little longer. I want something in the car that won't be drained during use when plugged in. An external bluetooth transmitter would have its own seperate battery, and like Mifi type devices, would hopefully have a power adapter. Thanks for replying though.

 

[Capt T]

I have posted about this in other threads because I have one.

Cradlepoint PHS300. Not sure if it will end up working with the iPhone as it most likely hasn't been tested yet. But it will work with other phones that you can usb tether so I am sure it will get tested once the new plans are in effect.

I use it with a virgin mobile USB stick. It is a pay as you go. The other day a co-worker and I were connected using it on site.

It has it's own battery and you can buy an extra one if you think you won't be by an outlet for more than 3 hours. Battery life is dependent on signal not sure if it would better with phones since they have their own battery, or if it powers the phone too like the USB stick.

I think amazon had them for $100 but I got mine from the 3G store and paid more so it would be compatible with 4G sticks as well. The 3G store has some very helpful info on their website about it and are very nice if you call them to ask about products.


Edit: here is the link to the Cradlepoint site http://www.cradlepoint.com/products/phs300-personal-wifi-hotspot-3g4g