spectrum48k

Anyone know if you can use the upcoming 3G iPhone as a modem for your laptop ?

eg. plug the iPhone into your laptop 'anywhere' around the UK and receive internet at 3G / HSDPA speeds ?

RoadrunnerV2

I doubt it will but I'm sure a 3rd developer will release a program fairly quickly.

Markus

I think the term for what you want to do is "tethered". There isn't anything specifically listed on Apple's website for the iPhone 3G as to wether it supports tethering or not. It would need to either use Bluetooth or USB to allow this.

If the Bluetooth support is anything like it is for the first gen iPhone, then it is very limited, it only allows pairing with headsets and in-car kits, it specifically does not allow data transfer. As for USB, I'm not sure what the 1st Gen did in this respect, but I am fairly sure you could not use it tethered.

I'm not sure if tethering is just hardware based or wether the network carrier has to enable/allow something for you to connect via a tethered modem.

In regards to the third party app, if they would need to do this via Bluetooth then I cannot see it happening as if I recall correctly, some of the API's/functions are not available to them, for example, the telephony functions cannot be accessed and I'm fairly sure it's the same for bluetooth, plus if bluetooth on the iPhone does not allow data transfer then I don't think you can magically upgrade it to allow this, plus of course you'd need access to the bluetooth side of things and it would not surprise me if this is not provided to developers.

If a developer did create such an app it would have to be approved by Apple, if Apple doesn't like it, it won't get to the App store so you cannot put it on your phone. Yes you could possibly hack the 3G and put the app on there from another source.

If you could use the iPhone 3G in tethered mode then expect to pay for this functionality as I very much doubt the data plan would cover this and thus you'd be charged some additional fee.

JackClark

I have no doubt that this will not be enabled. In fact I'll eat my iPhone cleaning cloth if it is.

As with the current iPhone you'll need to crack it to tether it.

jowl

There were rumours that O2 would offer tethering. In fact, there was a 'Q&A' with O2 where this was stated. It's on the web somewhere, I'll see if I can find it. How true it is, I dunno though!

Whiile it would mean Apple changing/adding to the bluetooth drivers, it would be O2/the mobile operator that has to deal with the amount of data transmitted - so I guess they would have a big say in whether they would allow it.

jowl

Ah...

Interesting iPhone details out of O2... | 9 to 5 Mac

JackClark

I'll wait till the 11th before I swallow.

Swen6

You were bored weren't you, admit it!?!

jameswrx

iTrader: (4)

hmmm.. do I 'need' the new iphone?! (have the current one and love it)

JackClark

I don't think anyone needs a new one if they have the current one, but lots of people will want one.

I'm going to the US on the 10th, will either wait or try to buy one there if I see an Apple store.

RoadrunnerV2

All sounds promising. One catch though, it would appear O2 is very poor on 3G speeds at the moment as per PC PRO's review this month

I think I will stick with my v1 model until I hear what the PAYG deals will be like or until the v2 gets unlocked.