Using an Iphone 3G as a modem for laptop

[michaelf]

Hi all, just wondering if it is at all possible to use my iphone as a modem for my laptop, both have bluetooth. I'm going to be travelling around a fair bit over the next few months ans was initially going to purchase a wireless dongle.

Thanks in advance

[bobthemonkey]

Doable, but a right faf. Just get a dongle.

[michaelf]

Thanks Bob, I figured it would be.

Out of interest do you know how its done?

Thanks

[Neil_H]

You can't without an app called Netshare (on an untampered iphone anyway) which allows you to use Wifi and invloves changing your wifi settings every time you do it. This is no longer in the App store.

It's not possible at all using Bluetooth as this part of the profile has been deliberately left out (as the networks want to sell their dongles).

Edited by Neil_H on Wednesday 10th December 12:55

[[AJ]]

Neil H is correct. There is no 'legal' way of tethering your iPhone at the moment unless you were fortunate enough to download Netshare within the first day of it appearing in the App Store.

My business partner just bought himself a pre pay dongle from 3 which works really well. It's one of their starter kits. It cost £99.99 for 12GB over 12 months and that includes a dongle worth £60.

Another friend has the same 3 package and also an Orange pay monthly dongle and says the 3 offering is better.

I guess it depends what you want to use it for. If it's just for checking / sending emails and surfing the web while your out and about then 12BG will see you over the 12 months. If you want to start downloading iTunes content or watching BBC iPlayer on the go, then you'll need an expensive pay monthly plan.

Edit to add: The new 3 dongle also supports HSDPA as well as 3G, 2.5G and 2G.

Edited by [AJ] on Wednesday 10th December 13:09

[peterpeter]

if you have an Iphone with O2, are there any special deals available for a dongle ?

[Nolar Dog]

I find it amazing that a phone as advanced and popular as the iPhone is not capable of being used as a laptop modem.

Unbelievable.

[PJR]

Nolar Dog said:

I find it amazing that a phone as advanced and popular as the iPhone is not capable of being used as a laptop modem.

Unbelievable.

It is capable of doing that. But Apple block the function due to contractual obligations with the service providers. IE, 02 here in the UK.

P,

[robuk]

PJR said:

Nolar Dog said:

I find it amazing that a phone as advanced and popular as the iPhone is not capable of being used as a laptop modem.

Unbelievable.

It is capable of doing that. But Apple block the function due to contractual obligations with the service providers. IE, 02 here in the UK.

P,

I am 'capable' of climbing everest but it does not mean much

[peterh2]

I posted a guide at http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

It's really simple to do!

HTH!

[Neil_H]

Nolar Dog said:

I find it amazing that a phone as advanced and popular as the iPhone is not capable of being used as a laptop modem.

Unbelievable.

I agree, but the problem lies in the fact that the Iphone comes with an unlimited data package.

The lack of tethering was done because they are not too keen on people being able to pull huge amounts of data through it, as you could on a laptop. On an Iphone you are limited on what you can do, ie not downloading huge files (any apps over 10meg have to be done via wifi, as does BBC Iplayer for example).

If they didn't do this the network would be jammed with people running bit torrent etc on their laptops using their unlimited data phone plan.

[2something]

Neil_H said:

Nolar Dog said:

I find it amazing that a phone as advanced and popular as the iPhone is not capable of being used as a laptop modem.

Unbelievable.

I agree, but the problem lies in the fact that the Iphone comes with an unlimited data package.

The lack of tethering was done because they are not too keen on people being able to pull huge amounts of data through it, as you could on a laptop. On an Iphone you are limited on what you can do, ie not downloading huge files (any apps over 10meg have to be done via wifi, as does BBC Iplayer for example).

If they didn't do this the network would be jammed with people running bit torrent etc on their laptops using their unlimited data phone plan.

But you could switch your sim to another handset and use that as a modem instead ?