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Tethering

R

Rhema

macrumors member
Original poster
Sep 11, 2006
83
0
So obviously the Iphone can't be tethered as a modem.

My question is, I know that At&t has wireless modem cards that run off of a sim card, could I buy one of these, cancel the service it comes with and then put my iPhone sim card into it and have it work?
 
Patient... u can tether sooner or later.. hopefully software upgrade or a hack the ihpone is a barely a week old.. so patient!!
 
Rhema said:
So obviously the Iphone can't be tethered as a modem.

My question is, I know that At&t has wireless modem cards that run off of a sim card, could I buy one of these, cancel the service it comes with and then put my iPhone sim card into it and have it work?
Click to expand...

I was wondering the same thing actually. There are even "unlocked" aircards for sale on ebay. It's almost worth giving a shot.
 
iphone needs more ports. USB ports, firewire ports, maybe some mic ports, maybe even an IR port.
 
Well in theory, you might be able to make a custom cable that connects to the iPod connector on the iPhone.

Or you could use BT to "tether".
 
appleii2mac said:
Well in theory, you might be able to make a custom cable that connects to the iPod connector on the iPhone.

Or you could use BT to "tether".
Click to expand...

Or use the USB cable... what are you talking about? I'm sure its a matter of days before tethering over USB and bluetooth are a reality.
 
Rhema - Are you referring to the AT&T Option GT Max 3.6 ??? Cuz that's the only one I see on the AT&T site that does this.
http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-ph...ils/?device=Option+GT+Max+3.6&q_sku=sku530003

I "think" the iPhone's sim in this card would run the laptop at 3g and morph to Edge when 3g isn't available.... right?

Tethering is an issue for us also. We don't have an iPhone yet so were thinking of getting AT&T's service with a freebie 3g phone for tethering & backup phone, getting the iPhone, and switching service to the iPhone and adding the $20 for data. But having a card would be an easier/cleaner option than carrying around a tethering phone in the laptop bag.
 
Has anyone successfully and consistently tethered any of the following 3g phones to a laptop for internet using the iPhone's SIM? Apparently a 3g phone will work with the iPhone's SIM to run 3g for tethering.

I'm asking for experiences with specific phones that work consistently and perfectly.

Samsung Blackjack
Treo 750
AT&T 8525 (has wifi?)
Samsung A717, A727 (Sync?)
Nokia N75
Razr V3xx
 
E-Tech said:
Buy a laptop. :apple:
Click to expand...

The devices that will follow the iPhone will probably include sublaptop multitouch interfaces that have a larger variety of access/interconnect options.

Much of what people are looking for in the iPhone will come, but possibly not in the iPhone so as to avoid killing its form factor.

Many haven't begun to consider the evidence that Apple is working on "Mobile Mac" platforms that are somewhere between an iPhone and an iBook/iMac... but with a multitouch interface and OS, and, I think, probably integrated HSDPA or WiMAX.
 
OK - I was asking about other Phones using the iPhone's SIM to run any AT&T 3g data phone to tether a laptop.
 
meagain said:
Has anyone successfully and consistently tethered any of the following 3g phones to a laptop for internet using the iPhone's SIM? Apparently a 3g phone will work with the iPhone's SIM to run 3g for tethering.

I'm asking for experiences with specific phones that work consistently and perfectly.

Samsung Blackjack
Treo 750
AT&T 8525 (has wifi?)
Samsung A717, A727 (Sync?)
Nokia N75
Razr V3xx
Click to expand...

I have a samsung blackjack right now (since once the iphone sim is activated it can run in the blackjack) and once I figured out how to tether over bluetooth (lost the damn usb cable already) my MBP connects perfectly. It uses the 3g of the phone (where avaliable) or edge. I haven't had an issue with it yet. I get my iphone on the 17th so I'll check it out and confirm.. but tons of sites have confirmed that you can take the activated iphone sim and stick into a blackjack (or any of those phones.) I plan on throwing the blackjack in my mbp bag so I can tether when needed (which is probably once a year.) In order for the blackjack to tether to the MBP you have to be running at least 10.4.9 because you have to use bluetooth PAN mode not dun mode or anything like that. Look for instructions on google for blackjack tethering with mac osx.
 
Tonic - Thank you! I've been having a hard time getting feedback on this. I did search pretty extensively and found a few posts saying their data didn't work which is contrary to other posts so I've been fearful of buying a backup phone for tethering purposes. I hate to buy something only to find it doesn't work for some reason. I see more blackjack posts than anything on this issue so I'm feeling more comfy with the Blackjack than the others at this point.

The AT&T 8525 is interesting as it also does wifi. But I've no clue on the cost.

We want to do exactly what your proposing to do with the laptop.
 
meagain said:
Tonic - Thank you! I've been having a hard time getting feedback on this. I did search pretty extensively and found a few posts saying their data didn't work which is contrary to other posts so I've been fearful of buying a backup phone for tethering purposes. I hate to buy something only to find it doesn't work for some reason. I see more blackjack posts than anything on this issue so I'm feeling more comfy with the Blackjack than the others at this point.

The AT&T 8525 is interesting as it also does wifi. But I've no clue on the cost.

We want to do exactly what your proposing to do with the laptop.
Click to expand...

I will make sure it works when I get my iphone on the 17th. I'll PM you and let you know one way or another. If anything I got my blackjack for free from letstalk.com. Can't beat a free 3g phone that can serve as a backup for the iphone! Especially when the 3g still works with the iphone sim! :p
 
Ooo! Thanks for that link. Never heard of them. Are you happy with them and also the Blackjack itself? It looks nice.
 
meagain said:
Has anyone successfully and consistently tethered any of the following 3g phones to a laptop for internet using the iPhone's SIM? Apparently a 3g phone will work with the iPhone's SIM to run 3g for tethering.

I'm asking for experiences with specific phones that work consistently and perfectly.

Samsung Blackjack
Treo 750
AT&T 8525 (has wifi?)
Samsung A717, A727 (Sync?)
Nokia N75
Razr V3xx
Click to expand...


I changed my ROM to WM 6 on the 8525 and i used tethering 24/7 3G Same SIM as in the iPhone.. i hope u can tether using the iphone that be soo cool!
 
Iphone Tether

I sucessfully tether using my iphone sim card in my blackjack. It's kind of a pain, but better than nothing. Only a matter of time before I break, wear out or lose the sim card! The lack of tethering on the iphone was almost a dealbreaker for me. I hope that AT&T doesn't "fix the glitch".
 
as a general note...

BE VERY WARY OF LETSTALK AND INPHONIC AND SIMILAR ONLINE EXTRA-VALUE RETAILERS!!!!! Amazon as well, though they are more ethical in their practices.

They give you additional subsidy (discount) by putting you on larger plans or additional feature data plans that if you were to remove (i.e. you put on an iPhone data plan), they would lose out on their commission if within the first 6 months, and they will rescind their subsidy by charging you an indirect retailer service termination fee, sometimes as much as $250.

So just make sure you know what you're agreeing to when you click that order button.

Of course I too will be ordering a BlackJack or Treo FIRST, and then getting the iPhone... it'll be nice to be able to tether and have a backup just in case! :)
 
if you plan to get a cheapie phone for tethering, remember two things:

Do not buy a phone from anyone other than AT&T if you plan to change your plan within the first 6 months. You will be hit with a collections bill or a credit card charge for the full retail price of the phone if you do. This means any material changes and adding or removing services.

Tethering is prohibited on the iPhone plan so be prepared for your service to be dropped or you to get a massive bill when AT&T finds out. The only plans that allow tethering are $80/mo and up for the data. You can bet on a $20 data plan for a phone that has no ability to tether, they're going to be watching for overuse like this. Seeing as the iPhone plans are so cheap because you are not accessing the 3G network, a lot of 3G useage could get you in deep with AT&T.
 
Juvenile said:
I sucessfully tether using my iphone sim card in my blackjack. It's kind of a pain, but better than nothing. Only a matter of time before I break, wear out or lose the sim card! The lack of tethering on the iphone was almost a dealbreaker for me. I hope that AT&T doesn't "fix the glitch".
Click to expand...

Juvenile - How is it a pain to tether to a laptop with the BlackJack? Just the PITA of swapping the card or something else?

This would be for a PC laptop with hopefully a Mac down the road. IDK if there's a difference in difficulty between the 2. This wouldn't be done on a daily basis, etc. Just once in a while. 2-3 times a month for a few minutes, etc.
 
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