Apple could include wireless hot-spot feature in iOS4.2.5 due Feb 10

BBMcQ

For all my non-jailbroken brethren (who can't use MyWy), Apple has just touted it's new CDMA iPhone at a Verizon press event in New York. The new phone, with a new antenna design (tested for 12 months allegedly) includes a new iOS version 4.2.5. This iOS includes mobile 3G hotspot in the native settings "app".

The Verizon iPhone is being released February 10th, so we can expect the new iOS 4.2.5 on or before then!

Bye bye iPad 3G! Hello 100euro saving by wirelessly tethering on ur iPhone plan! Those 500mb plans look stingy now eh?

*(Apple have not confirmed a new iOS is imminent but it's not their style to have a iOS version for a specific carrier)

culabula

stuartmchugh wrote: »

For all my non-jailbroken brethren (who can't use MyWy), Apple has just touted it's new CDMA iPhone at a Verizon press event in New York. The new phone, with a new antenna design (tested for 12 months allegedly) includes a new iOS version 4.2.5. This iOS includes mobile 3G hotspot in the native settings "app".

The Verizon iPhone is being released February 10th, so we can expect the new iOS 4.2.5 on or before then!

Bye bye iPad 3G! Hello 100euro saving by wirelessly tethering on ur iPhone plan! Those 500mb plans look stingy now eh?

*(Apple have not confirmed a new iOS is imminent but it's not their style to have a iOS version for a specific carrier)

Well, I have 4GB from 3IRL alone, 3GB from 3ITA and unlimited from 3UK. Bring it on.

whiterebel

stuartmchugh wrote: »

For all my non-jailbroken brethren (who can't use MyWy), Apple has just touted it's new CDMA iPhone at a Verizon press event in New York. The new phone, with a new antenna design (tested for 12 months allegedly) includes a new iOS version 4.2.5. This iOS includes mobile 3G hotspot in the native settings "app".

The Verizon iPhone is being released February 10th, so we can expect the new iOS 4.2.5 on or before then!

Bye bye iPad 3G! Hello 100euro saving by wirelessly tethering on ur iPhone plan! Those 500mb plans look stingy now eh?

*(Apple have not confirmed a new iOS is imminent but it's not their style to have a iOS version for a specific carrier)

Why do you assume we would get the same iOS as the CDMA phone, and why would we get a feature that Verizon have obviously asked for?

*This is not only a different carrier, but a different phone

Johnmb

I'd say it will be available to all iPhones when released, but that the carrier files can disable it, much like they can do with normal tethering. It's not going to change things much straight away, but down the line it certainly will. Up to now, the iPhone has really been an AT&T phone that happened to work on lots of other networks, but any consumer benefits that they didn't want to give out could be turned off, which other carriers took advantage of. Now that AT&T are starting to lose that power, Apple will hopefully stop giving any carriers that power.

BBMcQ

whiterebel wrote: »

Why do you assume we would get the same iOS as the CDMA phone, and why would we get a feature that Verizon have obviously asked for?

*This is not only a different carrier, but a different phone

Verizon charge a heap extra for tethering on Android phones, yes it's a feature they would like, but I think Apple are just updating iOS inline with Froyo. C'mon you know Apple like to be in charge and I think its odds on that a global 4.2.5 would be released. Hugely unlike Apple to have different fragmentation of iOS on iPhone.

rivalius13

There's talk of it being added to 4.3 which may be released next week with The Daily. Maybe.

ironclaw

Would kinda shoot iPad 3G in the foot though wouldn't it? Even for any iPad 2 release?

I can see it being a carrier specific feature. Saying that though, us SIM Free users should be entitled to it. Interesting development.

BBMcQ

ironclaw wrote: »

Would kinda shoot iPad 3G in the foot though wouldn't it? Even for any iPad 2 release?

I can see it being a carrier specific feature. Saying that though, us SIM Free users should be entitled to it. Interesting development.

Yup! Wonder what what percentage of iPad 3G owners don't have an iPhone? Couldnt see O2, Vodafone blocking it, don't they stock hotspot phones already?

aidan_walsh

stuartmchugh wrote: »

For all my non-jailbroken brethren (who can't use MyWy), Apple has just touted it's new CDMA iPhone at a Verizon press event in New York. The new phone, with a new antenna design (tested for 12 months allegedly) includes a new iOS version 4.2.5. This iOS includes mobile 3G hotspot in the native settings "app".

The Verizon iPhone is being released February 10th, so we can expect the new iOS 4.2.5 on or before then!

Bye bye iPad 3G! Hello 100euro saving by wirelessly tethering on ur iPhone plan! Those 500mb plans look stingy now eh?

*(Apple have not confirmed a new iOS is imminent but it's not their style to have a iOS version for a specific carrier)

Not in their style to release an OS version specific to a carrier, no. But lets not forget that tethering isn't available on all carriers either. It could be that this will also be limited by the carrier settings file, the option for which may not be made available to other carriers until later. And even if they do make it available outside the US, if it is carrier settings restricted there is nothing to say that carrier's here will enable it.

rivalius13

aidan_walsh wrote: »

Not in their style to release an OS version specific to a carrier, no. But lets not forget that tethering isn't available on all carriers either. It could be that this will also be limited by the carrier settings file, the option for which may not be made available to other carriers until later. And even if they do make it available outside the US, if it is carrier settings restricted there is nothing to say that carrier's here will enable it.

Three have been decent with treating data as data, what with tethering not costing extra. Here's hoping they do likewise with this and don't try charge extra.

BBMcQ

rivalius13 wrote: »

There's talk of it being added to 4.3 which may be released next week with The Daily. Maybe.

Good spot!

Appleinsider

ashleey

Or just an alarm clock that works?

seamus

ashleey wrote: »

Or just an alarm clock that works?

Alarm Clock

Easier to have a bedside clock IMO

WetDaddy

...and they've announced it'll run iOS 4.2.5 with the "personal hotspot" function being available, does anyone think we'll get a similar update out here? It doesn't *look* like the personal hotspot is hardware-based, from what I've read.

Tethering with USB to laptop is something we've enjoyed here in Europe above the AT&T customers, but I've a wifi only iPad and would *kill* to be able to connect to my iPhone 4 (acting as a wifi router) to get internet access when I'm out and about.

Just wondering what everyone thinks / suspects!

jester77

ironclaw wrote: »

Would kinda shoot iPad 3G in the foot though wouldn't it? Even for any iPad 2 release?

Why would it do that?

I have unlimited 3G with my iPhone account and a multi-sim in my iPad, don't see how adding a hotspot feature would have an effect on the iPad

ashleey

seamus wrote: »

Alarm Clock

Easier to have a bedside clock IMO

I don't trust the battery on my iPhone to last all night anyway!

whiterebel

WetDaddy wrote: »

...and they've announced it'll run iOS 4.2.5 with the "personal hotspot" function being available, does anyone think we'll get a similar update out here? It doesn't *look* like the personal hotspot is hardware-based, from what I've read.

Tethering with USB to laptop is something we've enjoyed here in Europe above the AT&T customers, but I've a wifi only iPad and would *kill* to be able to connect to my iPhone 4 (acting as a wifi router) to get internet access when I'm out and about.

Just wondering what everyone thinks / suspects!

Thread already from yesterday on this, about 4 above yours.

Johnmb

WetDaddy wrote: »

...and they've announced it'll run iOS 4.2.5 with the "personal hotspot" function being available, does anyone think we'll get a similar update out here? It doesn't *look* like the personal hotspot is hardware-based, from what I've read.

Tethering with USB to laptop is something we've enjoyed here in Europe above the AT&T customers, but I've a wifi only iPad and would *kill* to be able to connect to my iPhone 4 (acting as a wifi router) to get internet access when I'm out and about.

Just wondering what everyone thinks / suspects!

Given that you currently can't tether your iPad to your iPhone to use the data connection, I doubt very much that you'll be able to use your iPad on the hotspot either, at least not for a while. It's not a hardware thing, so jailbreaks are always an option, but I reckon Apple will try to main their 3G iPad sales, in the short term, then competition will force them to allow it in the medium term.

Creamy Goodness

Johnmb wrote: »

Given that you currently can't tether your iPad to your iPhone to use the data connection, I doubt very much that you'll be able to use your iPad on the hotspot either, at least not for a while. It's not a hardware thing, so jailbreaks are always an option, but I reckon Apple will try to main their 3G iPad sales, in the short term, then competition will force them to allow it in the medium term.

you can tether, it's just your carrier has probably locked it down via a carrier settings file.

i have a factory unlocked iphone with no carrier file on meteor and i can tether no problem using my data allowance.

seamus

jester77 wrote: »

Why would it do that?

I have unlimited 3G with my iPhone account and a multi-sim in my iPad, don't see how adding a hotspot feature would have an effect on the iPad

The thinking being that people won't bother buying a 3G iPad when they can just use the iP4 as a WiFi hotspot.

Perhaps, is all I can say. You can currently tether via bluetooth anyway (right?), and your other major drawback is that the battery life of an iPhone acting as a hotspot is miles away from the battery life of the iPad surfing on WiFi.

My gut feeling is that people who consider the iPad to not be something which you use on the go (i.e. a home web browser/email client), will go for the WiFi option anyway. Anyone who wants hardcore "use anywhere" functionality will be willing to go for the more expensive 3G plus the data package anyway.
Tethering on the iPhone would be a bonus for those with WiFi iPads, but I don't personally think it'll stifle demand for 3G iPads.

Johnmb

Creamy Goodness wrote: »

you can tether, it's just your carrier has probably locked it down via a carrier settings file.

i have a factory unlocked iphone with no carrier file on meteor and i can tether no problem using my data allowance.

You can tether to your iPad to allow it to use your iPhone data?

jester77

seamus wrote: »

My gut feeling is that people who consider the iPad to not be something which you use on the go (i.e. a home web browser/email client), will go for the WiFi option anyway. Anyone who wants hardcore "use anywhere" functionality will be willing to go for the more expensive 3G plus the data package anyway.
Tethering on the iPhone would be a bonus for those with WiFi iPads, but I don't personally think it'll stifle demand for 3G iPads.

That would be my thoughts as well. If I had to tether every time I wanted to use the iPad then I wouldn't use it when outside of a wifi area. It's worth it to just pay the extra few €'s for the 3G and get a second sim for your mobile account to use in it.

WetDaddy

Johnmb wrote: »

Given that you currently can't tether your iPad to your iPhone to use the data connection, I doubt very much that you'll be able to use your iPad on the hotspot either, at least not for a while. It's not a hardware thing, so jailbreaks are always an option, but I reckon Apple will try to main their 3G iPad sales, in the short term, then competition will force them to allow it in the medium term.

Yes, but that's a direct bluetooth connection (iPad <-> iPhone) that you can't do. That's a little easier to lockdown / customise compared to creating a standard wifi access point out of your iPhone. They'd have to *deliberately* create the hotspot to *not* work with iPads (wouldn't put it past them, mind you). My bet is that it'll work but I guess only time will tell.

I know I could jailbreak and use MyWi, but I'm past the whole "cracking, recracking, keeping up to date" uncertainty battle with my devices. I'd be much happier if it just worked

culabula

WetDaddy wrote: »

Yes, but that's a direct bluetooth connection (iPad <-> iPhone) that you can't do. That's a little easier to lockdown / customise compared to creating a standard wifi access point out of your iPhone. They'd have to *deliberately* create the hotspot to *not* work with iPads (wouldn't put it past them, mind you). My bet is that it'll work but I guess only time will tell.

I know I could jailbreak and use MyWi, but I'm past the whole "cracking, recracking, keeping up to date" uncertainty battle with my devices. I'd be much happier if it just worked

Yes and since you can tether iphone 4 to say, a MacBook, then share the connection by creating an ad hoc wifi hotspot and connect the iPad to that shared wifi, I have every confidence it will work when the HotSpot app is released.

Johnmb

WetDaddy wrote: »

Yes, but that's a direct bluetooth connection (iPad <-> iPhone) that you can't do. That's a little easier to lockdown / customise compared to creating a standard wifi access point out of your iPhone. They'd have to *deliberately* create the hotspot to *not* work with iPads (wouldn't put it past them, mind you). My bet is that it'll work but I guess only time will tell.

They have deliberately created the existing tethering option to not work, I have no doubt they'll deliberately make sure the wifi tethering won't work either. Again, I reckon they'll be forced to allow it within a year or so. I hope I'm wrong though, I am likely to get an iPad later this year, and I'd rather not feel a need to jailbreak for use on the few occasions I'm not using it at home.

rivalius13

Johnmb wrote: »

They have deliberately created the existing tethering option to not work, I have no doubt they'll deliberately make sure the wifi tethering won't work either. Again, I reckon they'll be forced to allow it within a year or so. I hope I'm wrong though, I am likely to get an iPad later this year, and I'd rather not feel a need to jailbreak for use on the few occasions I'm not using it at home.

No they haven't.

BBMcQ

Engadget

Engadget sourcing BGR.

To be honest, I don't see this feature cannibalizing the iPad 3G. I think people who like to have the 3G constantly on their iPad won't like having to set up their phone every time and have data beaming from their pocket on their daily commute. If you use the iPad in a daily commute, you will easily go over a 500mb allowance that new iPhone users are on.

It will, however, be very handy now and again to have access to data on a long trip or in someone's house that doesn't have wi-fi, or in a car. I couldn't justify 20 euro a month extra for iPad data when i'm primarily going to use it at home.

ironclaw

WetDaddy wrote: »

It doesn't *look* like the personal hotspot is hardware-based, from what I've read.

Simple enough to swap the mode of the wifi card by software. If a jailbreak App can do it, I'm sure Apple can do it. Could be locked at lower level though, even as far as baseband etc.

jester77 wrote: »

Why would it do that?

I have unlimited 3G with my iPhone account and a multi-sim in my iPad, don't see how adding a hotspot feature would have an effect on the iPad

Well, many iPhone owners gave out when the iPad Wifi was released as the couldn't tether and so many bought a 3G unit. The 3G iPad is defunct for all iPhone owners who want an iPad to tether if they allow a hotspot function. You could argue though that Apple cover the loss by selling the iPhone in the first place. Personally I'd say you'd be fairly stupid to buy a 3G unit if (you own an iPhone of course) this hotspot rumor turns out to be universal.

Johnmb

rivalius13 wrote: »

No they haven't.

Eh, yes they have. There is no hardware imitation stopping anyone from using their iPad by tethering it to their iPhone 4, the fact that you can do it if you jailbreak is proof of that. Do you think that the code installed in the firmware was put there accidentally?

jester77

ironclaw wrote: »

Well, many iPhone owners gave out when the iPad Wifi was released as the couldn't tether and so many bought a 3G unit. The 3G iPad is defunct for all iPhone owners who want an iPad to tether if they allow a hotspot function. You could argue though that Apple cover the loss by selling the iPhone in the first place. Personally I'd say you'd be fairly stupid to buy a 3G unit if (you own an iPhone of course) this hotspot rumor turns out to be universal.

I would be of the opposite opinion, I have an iphone and the 3G ipad complements it perfectly. I just got a second sim on my iphone account and was good to go. No extra costs, no new contract and no tethering.

rivalius13

Johnmb wrote: »

Eh, yes they have. There is no hardware imitation stopping anyone from using their iPad by tethering it to their iPhone 4, the fact that you can do it if you jailbreak is proof of that. Do you think that the code installed in the firmware was put there accidentally?

Really? You can use bluetooth through a jailbreak? Or does a jailbreak make a USB appear on the iPad?

Johnmb

rivalius13 wrote: »

Really? You can use bluetooth through a jailbreak? Or does a jailbreak make a USB appear on the iPad?

You can tether through a jailbreak. Who mentioned anything more than that?

rivalius13

Johnmb wrote: »

You can tether through a jailbreak. Who mentioned anything more than that?

You. You said that Apple had intentionally blocked the iPad from being able to use the iPhone's internet connection. I said they had not, that there were technical reasons that meant it couldn't tether over bluetooth or USB, you claimed that Apple were blocking it, now you're saying it's possible with a jailbreak, you really should make up your mind.

Johnmb

rivalius13 wrote: »

You. You said that Apple had intentionally blocked the iPad from being able to use the iPhone's internet connection. I said they had not, that there were technical reasons that meant it couldn't tether over bluetooth or USB, you claimed that Apple were blocking it, now you're saying it's possible with a jailbreak, you really should make up your mind.

??? Apple are blocking it, and it is possible to do it with a jailbreak. Where do you think there is a contradiction that I need to make up my mind about? You do understand the concepts don't you? Jailbreaking is the process of bypassing Apple's software limitations. The fact that you can tether the iPad to use the iPhone 4s data connection when it is jailbroken is proof that it is not a hardware, or technical problem, it is a software limitation that Apple put in place, and they didn't do it accidentally, they did it deliberately.

rivalius13

Johnmb wrote: »

??? Apple are blocking it, and it is possible to do it with a jailbreak. Where do you think there is a contradiction that I need to make up my mind about? You do understand the concepts don't you? Jailbreaking is the process of bypassing Apple's software limitations. The fact that you can tether the iPad to use the iPhone 4s data connection when it is jailbroken is proof that it is not a hardware, or technical problem, it is a software limitation that Apple put in place, and they didn't do it accidentally, they did it deliberately.

You can't tether the iPad using the jailbreak, you CAN set up your iPhone as a wireless hotspot and connect that way. That's an entirely different process though and it is what they are bringing out now.

Johnmb

rivalius13 wrote: »

You can't tether the iPad using the jailbreak, you CAN set up your iPhone as a wireless hotspot and connect that way. That's an entirely different process though and it is what they are bringing out now.

I think you need to learn the definition of "tethering". It mentions nothing about only counting if it's via bluetooth or usb, i.e. tethering can be done over wifi as well, and it is still called, and still counts as, tethering. So what you are saying above doesn't make what I have said wrong. What I am about to say now though does make what you have said wrong:
iTether uses the bluetooth connection in order to tether between the iPhone and iPad
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=988025
http://www.if0rce.com/en/

rivalius13

Johnmb wrote: »

I think you need to learn the definition of "tethering". It mentions nothing about only counting if it's via bluetooth or usb, i.e. tethering can be done over wifi as well, and it is still called, and still counts as, tethering. So what you are saying above doesn't make what I have said wrong. What I am about to say now though does make what you have said wrong:
iTether uses the bluetooth connection in order to tether between the iPhone and iPad
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=988025
http://www.if0rce.com/en/

Well suck me sideways and call me sally, I had read that the iPad had some bluetooth issue that prevented it from tethering via bluetooth. Unless the jailbreak does something Apple didn't want...

Although saying that, the iPad can connect to the iPhone hotspot no bother. And apparently it works out of the box and should be similar to tethering (meaning no extra charge if they don't charge for tethering).

BBMcQ

jester77 wrote: »

I would be of the opposite opinion, I have an iphone and the 3G ipad complements it perfectly. I just got a second sim on my iphone account and was good to go. No extra costs, no new contract and no tethering.

How'd you manage that? Is it legit?

Johnmb

rivalius13 wrote: »

Although saying that, the iPad can connect to the iPhone hotspot no bother. And apparently it works out of the box and should be similar to tethering (meaning no extra charge if they don't charge for tethering).

While I do hope that turns out to be the case, don't forget that when Apple finally released 4.2 with AirPrint, it wasn't as functional as the original betas were. They could very easily roll back the functionality of the hotspot too. If they are going to let you tether via the wifi hotspot, I see no reason why they can't allow you to tether to the iPad via bluetooth as well, from what I've read, it is much easier on the battery (at least the jailbroken versions are, MiWi v iTether).

tallus

jester77 wrote: »

Why would it do that?

I have unlimited 3G with my iPhone account and a multi-sim in my iPad, don't see how adding a hotspot feature would have an effect on the iPad

It will have an effect on your iPad if it's not a 3G model as you will "theoretically" now be able to use the phone as a wifi hotspot, bypassing the need for a sim card in the iPad.

jester77

stuartmchugh wrote: »

How'd you manage that? Is it legit?

What you mean legit?
I think it's called multi-sim on my contract here, probably something different with other providers. Just had to pay a once off fee equivalent to what you would pay for a replacement sim.

BBMcQ

jester77 wrote: »

What you mean legit?
I think it's called multi-sim on my contract here, probably something different with other providers. Just had to pay a once off fee equivalent to what you would pay for a replacement sim.

That's what I meant, was it does by the provider or done by some sort of black-market tomfoolery!

So if I have a iPhone plan with say O2, I pay a fee for a second sim, slap it into my iPad 3G and away I go!? Why isn't this publicised more? I was under the impression you needed a iPhone sim and a separate Data account / sim for your iPad?

culabula

stuartmchugh wrote: »

That's what I meant, was it does by the provider or done by some sort of black-market tomfoolery!

So if I have a iPhone plan with say O2, I pay a fee for a second sim, slap it into my iPad 3G and away I go!? Why isn't this publicised more? I was under the impression you needed a iPhone sim and a separate Data account / sim for your iPad?

Surely the guy is talking about a facility available in Germany and not here?

culabula

Back on topic, I have installed 4.3, Hotspot is indeed there and functioning. My iPad is currently tethered to my iPhone and it's all working wonderfully (there is a new linked rings icon to depict this). Yes, Apple could change matters in the final release, but I don't see 3 objecting.

jester77

stuartmchugh wrote: »

That's what I meant, was it does by the provider or done by some sort of black-market tomfoolery!

So if I have a iPhone plan with say O2, I pay a fee for a second sim, slap it into my iPad 3G and away I go!? Why isn't this publicised more? I was under the impression you needed a iPhone sim and a separate Data account / sim for your iPad?

That's how it is for me.

culabula wrote: »

Surely the guy is talking about a facility available in Germany and not here?

Would have thought that this was a standard provider feature - used mainly with laptop dongles and in car systems? Otherwise you would need a new contract for anything that required a SIM card.

culabula

jester77 wrote: »

That's how it is for me.



Would have thought that this was a standard provider feature - used mainly with laptop dongles and in car systems? Otherwise you would need a new contract for anything that required a SIM card.

I have only ever heard of Vodafone UK offering such a facility, at a price. Hardly a standard provider feature unless things have changed.

jester77

culabula wrote: »

I have only ever heard of Vodafone UK offering such a facility, at a price. Hardly a standard provider feature unless things have changed.

That would be like having to get a new internet service contract anytime you buy a new laptop, xbox, playstation, etc. I already pay X amount for my mobile contract & this includes x minutes talk, x sms & x data. How I use these x amounts is up to me and anything I use over this amount I pay for, regardless of device. It's in the providers best interest to have you use their service as much as possible. It's over 10 years since I've lived in Ireland but I would have thought this was a fairly standard feature everywhere.

culabula

jester77 wrote: »

That would be like having to get a new internet service contract anytime you buy a new laptop, xbox, playstation, etc. I already pay X amount for my mobile contract & this includes x minutes talk, x sms & x data. How I use these x amounts is up to me and anything I use over this amount I pay for, regardless of device. It's in the providers best interest to have you use their service as much as possible. It's over 10 years since I've lived in Ireland but I would have thought this was a fairly standard feature everywhere.

I am not sure that we are talking about the same thing. He is talking about getting a cloned SIM with the same number on the same account and he leapfrogs from one to the other as the situation demands. I know of very few operators offering or even allowing such a facility. If there were, I would not have a 3IRL SIM for voice/data and another for iPad data. I'd request a clone and use the data in my iPad.

culabula

jester77 wrote: »

That would be like having to get a new internet service contract anytime you buy a new laptop, xbox, playstation, etc. I already pay X amount for my mobile contract & this includes x minutes talk, x sms & x data. How I use these x amounts is up to me and anything I use over this amount I pay for, regardless of device. It's in the providers best interest to have you use their service as much as possible. It's over 10 years since I've lived in Ireland but I would have thought this was a fairly standard feature everywhere.

Oh, just realised it's you that's replying. No, this is not standard at all. As I said, I believe Vodafone in the UK introduced it for business customers only.

whiterebel

jester77 wrote: »

That would be like having to get a new internet service contract anytime you buy a new laptop, xbox, playstation, etc. I already pay X amount for my mobile contract & this includes x minutes talk, x sms & x data. How I use these x amounts is up to me and anything I use over this amount I pay for, regardless of device. It's in the providers best interest to have you use their service as much as possible. It's over 10 years since I've lived in Ireland but I would have thought this was a fairly standard feature everywhere.

We can only dream of such advances.......:o

Loomis

A few people have touched on it but can anyone answer with a degree of certainty - if you enable your iPhone as a Wi-fi Hotspot and connect to it using your iPad will this incur extra charges from your phone's provider?