USB Tethering!

[Chicago Jake]

Hey, I just discovered something cool! Maybe you guys have been doing this all along, but in case not, here's how it works. It's called "tethering" and it means using your smart phone as an internet connection for your computer.

The program I used is called PdaNet, although I'm sure there are others. It works for iPhone, Win Mobile, Palm, Blackberry, Android etc. You install it both on your phone and your computer, and you're home free!

The website for the software is here:
www.junefabrics.com/index.php

And here's detailed instructions for the Android version:
www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/199280/how_to_tether_your_android_phone_for_free.html?tk=hp_new

Speed depends on your cell connection, of course, but I'm getting pretty decent performance (around .4 Mbps) on basic 3G service. Not blazing, but not bad for free!

This will be handy next time I'm stuck in an airport without free WiFi!........Jake (and that'll probably be next week)

[Ardbeg... innit]

I first did something like that in about 2000, except it was by hardwire then, basically using the cell phone as a modem. It was a bit of a hassle given the OS's of the day, but it worked.

[Alice]

That is what we use on the weekends we spend on the boat. Makes life easier when trying to look at the weather when deciding to go out.

[Captain Gary]

The first 30 days are free. After that, if you need to log into a secure site, you have to buy PDAnet. If you don't need a secure connection, there is no charge. You can also tether via bluetooth with PDAnet. Nice program.

[Chicago Jake]

That's correct, but I think I can live without secure sites while in airports, etc. Except for Gmail, of course, which for some reason is https.

But... when Android 2.2 comes out (it's rolling out now), that will include tethering as a native application.

[♥ COVID-19♥]

Jun 21, 2010 20:54:55 GMT -6 Chicago Jake said:

Except for Gmail, of course, which for some reason is https.

FWIW ...

HTTPS Becomes Default for Gmail

In an effort to increase security for Gmail users, in 2008 Google added the option to always use HTTP Secure (HTTPS) when accessing Gmail. However, this option was disabled by default; Google’s reasoning for this was the fact that HTTPS makes your e-mail access slower.

Now, Google has decided that Internet connections for most of its users are fast and stable enough to turn this option on by default.

If you like, you can still turn the option off; simply choose “Don’t always use https” from the Settings menu. Google will still use HTTPS on the login page, but will then switch back to unsecured connection, which could make the service a tiny bit faster. Of course, you should do this only while connected to a network that you fully trust.

[Captain Gary]

Verizon announced pricing for the Android 2.2 tethering feature. $20/month for 2GB data.

I think we'll stick with PDAnet.

Jake, the new Droid X would make a great new phone for you!

[Chicago Jake]

Thanks, Gary, but I think I'm going to upgrade to the MyTouch Slide. That way I can stay on T-Mobile, which DOES NOT charge for tethering, even using the native 2.2 feature. Plus, the Droid X does not have a keyboard. If I was on Verizon, I'd probably go for the upcoming Droid 2 instead.

[Captain Gary]

I just read recently that the days of physical keyboards are numbered. I am surprised by how little I use mine. The voice to text is so accurate, just not convenient in a meeting or church! :-)

Was your T-Mobile coverage very good when you were down here visiting? I remember it working on the boat, what about at our house?

[Chicago Jake]

Yeah, it was fine at your house and the boat.

I think the reports of the death of the keyboard are premature. I just picked up the MyTouch Slide today, and it has a great keyboard. Although I have to admit that I'm composing this post with Swype just for the practice!

[Captain Gary]

Cool! Please post your review once you've had a chance to check it out.

[Chicago Jake]

I'll post a review after I've gotten thoroughly familiar with it. But so far, I'm thrilled.

[Captain Gary]

Completely unrelated, but we installed what Verizon calls a "Network Extender" in the house today. It's like a wireless router connected to our broadband connection, but transmits and receives with Verizon cell phones. We now have full bars on our phone.

I'm thinking if this works out nicely, we will do away with our house phone (Vonage) and go with this full time. With Google Voice now available without invite, we could have one phone number and configure Voice to send phone calls to the appropriate cell phone.

[Chicago Jake]

I've heard of those. They are great when you get excellent reception everywhere but at home!

I thought about dumping my landline, but decided instead to just drop it down to the bare minimum service (around $12/month, no caller ID or voice mail or out-of-local calling). It's fine for receiving calls or calling 911 in an emergency, and for toll-free calls. And it enables me to claim my cell phone as pure business, and therefore deductible.

[Captain Gary]

Need to take a look at what the min landline cost we can find. When we switched to Vonage, we were $40 +/- per month, with all the above features active. Really need to evaluate our home phone usage, rarely do I think we make enough calls from the house to justify the unlimited $20 per month we are paying Vonage.