Apple's current iPad software won't allow iPhone tethering
When AT&T customers in the U.S. finally have access to tethering on their iPhone, it won't work with Apple's iPad due to software limitations, not AT&T policy.
Reports surfaced online Thursday that tethering between the iPhone and iPad would not be possible. AppleInsider contacted AT&T, and was told that the matter is a question for Apple, as the iPad apparently does not allow tethering via USB or Bluetooth.
"This is not a policy issue," an AT&T spokesman told AppleInsider, deferring to Apple for further information on the subject.
Apple's own documentation on tethering for the iPhone 3GS with iPhone OS 3.0 and up states that it is only possible through a USB cable or Bluetooth. But prior to the release of iPhone OS 4, tethering is not yet available on the AT&T network in the U.S.
The news confirms what Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs allegedly said via e-mail in March. A user asked Jobs if the iPad would be able to tether with the Wi-Fi iPad, to which the company co-founder succinctly replied, "No."
While the reports seem to confirm that 3G tethering via Bluetooth is not available on the iPad, it is possible that Apple could add the feature to the iPad via a future software update. It's also possible that an iPhone software update could allow tethering over Wi-Fi, as some other smartphones currently do.
AT&T announced on Wednesday that it would allow tethering on the iPhone when OS 4 arrives. Users must pay $25 per month for the high-end plan with 2GB of data per month, plus an additional $20 to allow tethering. The feature allows customers to share their mobile 3G Internet connectivity with another device, such as a laptop.
Reports surfaced online Thursday that tethering between the iPhone and iPad would not be possible. AppleInsider contacted AT&T, and was told that the matter is a question for Apple, as the iPad apparently does not allow tethering via USB or Bluetooth.
"This is not a policy issue," an AT&T spokesman told AppleInsider, deferring to Apple for further information on the subject.
Apple's own documentation on tethering for the iPhone 3GS with iPhone OS 3.0 and up states that it is only possible through a USB cable or Bluetooth. But prior to the release of iPhone OS 4, tethering is not yet available on the AT&T network in the U.S.
The news confirms what Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs allegedly said via e-mail in March. A user asked Jobs if the iPad would be able to tether with the Wi-Fi iPad, to which the company co-founder succinctly replied, "No."
While the reports seem to confirm that 3G tethering via Bluetooth is not available on the iPad, it is possible that Apple could add the feature to the iPad via a future software update. It's also possible that an iPhone software update could allow tethering over Wi-Fi, as some other smartphones currently do.
AT&T announced on Wednesday that it would allow tethering on the iPhone when OS 4 arrives. Users must pay $25 per month for the high-end plan with 2GB of data per month, plus an additional $20 to allow tethering. The feature allows customers to share their mobile 3G Internet connectivity with another device, such as a laptop.
Comments
That's a lie been doing it since day ipad came out
They don't mean jailbreaks. I expect AT&T doesn't care as long as you pay them $45 a month for 2GB limit.
Google recently showed an Android phone acting as a mobile WiFi base station for an iPad. It is dumb that you will be able to do this with an Android phone but not an iPhone. Come on Apple.
This is a different form of tethering. It would be cool though. What I'd really like to see is GPS information forwarded by wifi. The Cradlepoint access point devices will do it, but the google maps app doesn't know how to interpret it.
Google recently showed an Android phone acting as a mobile WiFi base station for an iPad. It is dumb that you will be able to do this with an Android phone but not an iPhone. Come on Apple.
I totally agree. Apple should remove that restriction.
1) AT&T gives you 2GB to work with for $25 [OK, fine]
2) AT&T charges you an extra $20 a month for "official" tethering [OK, fine]
3) However, even though you are paying extra for tethering and AT&T even says that those who tether use more data, they still cap you at the same 2GB as those who don't tether [*&^$ YOU AT&T!]
The whole tethering debacle with AT&T is a clusterf**k now, and I don't know how ANYONE can be happy with it.
1) AT&T gives you 2GB to work with for $25 [OK, fine]
2) AT&T charges you an extra $20 a month for "official" tethering [OK, fine]
3) However, even though you are paying extra for tethering and AT&T even says that those who tether use more data, they still cap you at the same 2GB as those who don't tether [*&^$ YOU AT&T!]
yes bad pr move on their part to let you tether, but give you no minutes to tether. So it's not a data service your paying for ... it's a convenience. A very expensive convenience.
I'll stick with a real Mac and an air card from Verizon.
Can you pay to tether if you keep your old unlimited data contract, or do you have to give that up?
AFAIK, you have to "downgrade" to DataPro to enable tethering. And once you've downgraded to DataPro, there's no way to reinstate the grandfathered "unlimited" plan.
With the iPad: No tethering and no Skype to landline calls using the iPad 3G.
All intentionally crippled. By whom? Hard to say.
Can you pay to tether if you keep your old unlimited data contract, or do you have to give that up?
This is the genius of the new att plan, you can have the grandfathered unlimited plan without tethering. If you want to tether, you lose your old unlimited plan and must go with the 2gb plan + tether.
Either way you look at this plan, you are screwed....and att will be smiling as they do it.
I don't get why people are refuting the truth of the article by claiming that it works over wifi. The article states that tethering will not be possible via bluetooth or USB.
Sadly, this confusion is just going to get worse and worse. Fifty bucks says that by the time this thread is done, half the posts will be about wifi hotspotting and not bluetooth/USB tethering. (two very different things from a technological standpoint)
the iPad has no problem getting onto mobile wifi-hotspots, regardless of the source (cell phone, overdrive, mifi, miwi, whatever). this article is not about that.
I blame the Canadians.
(why? because I can)
Just one more thing on the list of what you can't do within the ipad's walled garden. A shame for a revolutionary device that will change computing forever. If that is indeed what the ipad is.
I'll stick with a real Mac and an air card from Verizon.
Two words: first generation.
Why do some Mac lovers employ the language of trolls when they don't get everything they want right out of the gate? A little patience, please.
This is the genius of the new att plan, you can have the grandfathered unlimited plan without tethering. If you want to tether, you lose your old unlimited plan and must go with the 2gb plan + tether.
Either way you look at this plan, you are screwed....and att will be smiling as they do it.
The vast vast vast majority of iPhone users are not interested in tethering. I have no problem seeing the few data hogs who want to tether pay much more for that service.
Competing platforms "geekify" their devices--loading them up with every option and possibility for tweaking in order make it appear that you are getting more bang for your buck. The trade off is that you also get a half baked OS that is filled with rat holes that non-geeks can easily fall in to. This means that grandma and brother-in-law are constantly calling you to ask how to solve their problems with these devices.
Simple elegance versus complex options. It's up to you.