Better iPhone tethering

[rl7greg]

If anyone else is trying to "work at home" while they're camping, like me , this is what I do... Thought I would share the info...

With the iPhone OS 3.0 the internet tethering feature was added and works with a USB or Bluetooth connection to your laptop. There are limitations though:
- the iPhone built in tethering doesn't work for some VPN connections or Exchange email
- some peoples data accounts don't allow the built in tethering
- if your laptop doesn't have bluetooth you have to have the phone plugged in.

There is a 3rd party software called PDAnet that is better than the built-in tethering, but it is not available in the app store because Apple and the carriers I'm sure don't approve.

You need to jailbreak the iPhone with http://redsn0w.com/ (all the info is there for the steps for version 3.0 or 3.01). Redsnow will install Cydia, and then install PDAnet (available in Cydia). More info is at http://www.junefabrics.com/iphone/index.php about PDAnet and how it works. It can work very simply with the USB cable, but it can also turn the iPhone into a wifi router.

Greg

 

[sealman]

Whats kind of speed do you get.
John

 

[rl7greg]

In the wifi mode I just tested at speakeasy.net/speedtest and I get

Download Speed: 826 kbps (103.3 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 266 kbps (33.3 KB/sec transfer rate)

I am on Fido(Rogers) in Canada and have a 3G connection at the moment. In a non-3G area it works, but it is a lot slower.

Greg

 

[rick_debbie_gallant]

I have the 3g model with the 3.0 software upgrade. Will the tether work with my phone without have to break er out of jail or will I have to buy a new phone?

 

[rl7greg]

You've got the right software. Without jailbreaking it, you can see if the built in USB or Bluetooth tethering works for what you need - tap "Settings", "General", "Network", "Internet Tethering" and switch it to on. Next time you plug it into a computer with Itunes 8.2 installed, it will automatically install the driver and your iphone will display a blue "Internet Tethering" banner at the top.

 

[jcelander]

what do you do for work at home job? i am losing my job next week and i would like to find a work from home job so i can live at my rv during the camping months.

 

[rick_debbie_gallant]

You've got the right software. Without jailbreaking it, you can see if the built in USB or Bluetooth tethering works for what you need - tap "Settings", "General", "Network", "Internet Tethering" and switch it to on. Next time you plug it into a computer with Itunes 8.2 installed, it will automatically install the driver and your iphone will display a blue "Internet Tethering" banner at the top.

I am not seeing the "internet tethering" on my phone. I have updated it but it is not there

 

[rl7greg]

I am not seeing the "internet tethering" on my phone. I have updated it but it is not there

Sorry, I didn't know, but it looks like the option is supposed to not be there in the US. See the small print on this page - http://www.apple.com/iphone/iphone-3gs/tethering.html - "Tethering is not currently offered in the U.S. and some other countries. See your carrier for availability".

So looks like you would have to jailbreak it and install PDAnet.

 

[rl7greg]

what do you do for work at home job? i am losing my job next week and i would like to find a work from home job so i can live at my rv during the camping months.

I don't only work at home, but I do a couple days a week. I just try to create a few extra 4 day weekends by keeping an eye on my email and having my computer ready if needed during the day, and getting work done when the kids are napping or asleep.

I have a friend that does internet tech support though, and after 4 months of training and working in the call centre, they let the staff work from home with a voip phone and laptop. Flexible hours too with that type of work, once you have a bit of seniority - he likes it.