I just picked up the TB and this is my first real Android phone, I had been hanging on to an old HTC vogue and running android on it dual with windows 6.5.
Glad I made the upgrade and wanted to lock in the 29.99 unlimited plan on a 4G phone. With that said I have a few questions regarding tether.
I have used tether on my vogue for years through the windows 6.5 internet connection sharing, never been charged and tether 6 hours a day everyday for last 3 years.
I see the Thunderbolt has a "internet connection sharing" mode under the wireless settings area, now my question
Is this the same as the internet sharing in windows mobile and would verizon charge me if I use it on droid? I guess a better question would be why bother using easytether or pdanet if its built into droid?
A friend has a droid X and said he doesn't have "internet connection sharing" mode under his wireless settings.
I use an older pc at work for this and it doesnt have wifi, so I prefer to tether with a usb cable so it charges the phone as well.
in regards to the TB, I like it alot, one thing I found stupid was the fact they put the usb/charging port on the opposite site of the kickstand hinge, so you can't have it charging while using the kickstand because the port is facing the surface of the table..wow
Because those are the VZW tether options. IOW, they "see" when you are using those and charge you for the tether data plan. Just wait till it's rooted. (actually you have till may 15th to use the VZW one for free.)
Speaking of which, has anybody else used it yet? Mine kept restarting every few minutes last night when I was testing it out and wouldn't just stay on. Anyone else had any similar problems?
Right now tethering is free with the mobile hotspot until may. I don't know if the USB tethering built into the phone is free but I would assume that its until may also. Once we have root though we should be able to tether for free no matter what using third party apps.
Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk
I see but what I am saying is I have used the built in internet sharing in windows mobile for years, never charged. no third party apps, nothing just what came on the phone from verizon
Oh, well I can't answer whether or not they will actually start charging after may. I know the one time I tried to use the builtin app with my D2 it came up to a verizon start page and said I needed to upgrade my plan or some nonsense like that. Ever since then I have just used wireless tether from the market after rooting.
update..I went ahead and tried out the "internet sharing mode" under wireless & network settings, connected to my Windows 7 netbook, was prompt to install the drivers, then it works, no verizon page warning me about having a plan or anything.
I read in previous versions on Android this was not built in, in Froyo 2.2 it was built in, verizon and other carriers generally disabled those features in the past but it works on the thunderbolt. If they charge me i'll raise hell since I have been tethering unpaid for 3+ years.
smoody said:
If they charge me i'll raise hell since I have been tethering unpaid for 3+ years.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure how that statement would help your case.
I have been using ICS for free on my WinMo devices too. I wasn't using the stock ROM on them though, I was running custom ROMs, so maybe that was the reason.
Not sure how that statement would help your case.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
may not, but I will point out the fact I never been charged for it prior and i'll happily cancel my account and go elsewhere for service, regardless of fee's for getting out of contract. Just saying since I have yet to be charged for tethering unless I get notice from vzw stating I need to purchase a tethering plan I will continue to use it, if it works out of the box with no warnings about it being a paid feature I will not pay for it.
Related
Is USB tether an option? or have they figured out a way to bill for that too? And can it be done without root?
I would also like to know if this is possible without buying their plan. Either EasyTether, PDANet, or Tether.com something like that. I'm hoping one of those will work otherwise it's a no go for me. I NEED some kind of tethering capability.
Still no answer to this?
You're either going to have to pay for T-Mobile's tethering service, find a tether app that works, or root your phone and wait for a custom ROM.
This phone was just realeased and not everyone has had the time to tinker with it, nor are there a lot of developers or experienced people roaming this forum yet.
Im assuming there is no mobile hotspot either ?
USB tethering does work with the Amaze 4g with PDAnet. I can confirm it.
The question i have is if someone with a rooted 4g using barnacle is able to wifi tether.
I have my old SIM card in it and it tethers just fine. Acer Iconia and laptop.
spressa said:
USB tethering does work with the Amaze 4g with PDAnet. I can confirm it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm. My old Samsung phone tethers perfectly with PDAnet but Amaze does not.
Recognizes phone (black icon on PC) but refuses to believe tether is already enabled on phone.
Is it just me? Win7 home / BeastMod 2.2.0
jjane45 said:
Hmmm. My old Samsung phone tethers perfectly with PDAnet but Amaze does not.
Recognizes phone (black icon on PC) but refuses to believe tether is already enabled on phone.
Is it just me? Win7 home / BeastMod 2.2.0
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am running exact same setup. Make sure you have current drivers on your computer by installing htc sync. You may have to use a different user agent on your web browser to avoid the tmobile upsell page. Pdanet isn't necessary, just use tye built in tethering.
Sent from my HTC Amaze 4G using xda premium
I don't understand why people just don't get the tethering option.
I broke down and upgraded to 10gb a month and it came with the wifi hotspot feature. And I NEED 10+gb a month. Currently I'm at 9.2gb and I still have a little over a week to go.
Binary100100 said:
I don't understand why people just don't get the tethering option.
I broke down and upgraded to 10gb a month and it came with the wifi hotspot feature. And I NEED 10+gb a month. Currently I'm at 9.2gb and I still have a little over a week to go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ditto. They've (TMo US anyway) recently been giving free tethering/hotspot to anyone with 5gb or greater who asks, which is what I've got. And the built in tethering and hotspot both work great.
I've never gotten close to 5gb personally, but I just got the Amaze, and it is so much faster than my HD2 was (or even my cable) that I've basically been leaving WiFi off.
bigfry said:
Ditto. They've (TMo US anyway) recently been giving free tethering/hotspot to anyone with 5gb or greater who asks, which is what I've got. And the built in tethering and hotspot both work great.
I've never gotten close to 5gb personally, but I just got the Amaze, and it is so much faster than my HD2 was (or even my cable) that I've basically been leaving WiFi off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actualy what tmo been doing is not giving away free tether but changing your data plan.and getting you to sign up for one of their 5gb or more plans.
I tried to get the free hotspot but I'm on a grandfathered unlimited data plan, and I'd be down graded to either the 5 or 10 gb.
And fyi I am very sure, just like the other carriers flow can tell if you are cheating, as in WiFi/tether hack. My rooted g2x had "free" tether, thoguh and never heard from tmo about it.
Sent from my HTC_Amaze_4G using xda premium
I use usb tether and hotspot all the time and have never had any problema.im rooted using custom roms, but i want to say i did it when i was still stock too
Sent from my NRGized Amaze...
via xda premium
jcparks said:
I am running exact same setup. Make sure you have current drivers on your computer by installing htc sync. You may have to use a different user agent on your web browser to avoid the tmobile upsell page. Pdanet isn't necessary, just use tye built in tethering.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks so much! Firefox "user agent switcher" add-on got the job done, now that wifi hotspot works, I do not need USB tether.
I use very little data and only tether very very sparingly, so really don't see the need of upgrade.
Found some old posts, back in May, where people were discussing whether PDANet could truly hide tethering from AT&T, or other providers. I was tethering with my rooted SGS2 and received the text, email, and snail mail notices from AT&T that I would lose my unlimited data and be forced to by a tethering plan if I continued to tether. I was utilizing the stock rom with the tethering manager frozen.
Has anybody utilizing the 3.02 version of PDANet been contacted by AT&T to c&d? If so, could the c&d be attributed to tethering done before installing PDANet?
thanks,
retnuh
I'd like to know as well.
I don't think pdanet does anything special...i use approx 3-5gigs a month all mostly teathering. I have never received any notices of any kind.
I think as long there isn't any high spikes in data usage, you'll be safe.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
This is just an unproven theory by myself, but don't use internet explorer on the device you are tethering to.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
Personally, I use Firefox with User Agent usually set to Iphone, but obviously if there was a galaxy s 2 user agent I would use it. I din't tether to much- maybe 500 meg a month, but I've never been caught.
I got hit with the top %5 text the other morning...managed to use just under 12gigz this billing cycle..MOSTLY from wifi tether Phone 2 Phone and i maybe used an hr tethering to a laptop..I work for the bastards..doesn't matter what you use...all ill say is the network is alot smarter than people think..trust me..
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda premium
Supposedly Barnacle "hides" it and it's a free app. Google it.
I wonder if using an SSH connection would encrypt the connection enough to hide anything they sniff out to detect tethering.
If your rooted and have root explore just delete tehtering manager. Apk in system/app and if your on a custom rom it is more than likely already removed for you. Now if I could just get decent data speeds I would use it
Sent from my SGH-I777 using XDA App
That's the way I was tethering when I was told by AT&T to c&d. That's why I'm trying to find a way to tether and not get caught.
Hmmm odd you must have had huge data spikes because without that app they can't tell besides seeing you use like a gig a day. Interesting any thoughts guys?
Sent from my SGH-I777 using XDA App
If somebody knows for sure if PDANet stealth mode works - I'd really, REALLY like to know too! Had AT&T's "Unlimited" plan for a few years now. Been teathering, but for completely trivial amounts of data - during most months my usage didn't go over a gig or two. This month I went over 4 gig for the first time ever, and suddenly all hell broke loose. I get repeated "5%" messages over text and email, warning they will throttle down my 3G speeds (they are already a complete joke here in NY-NJ). So I stopped using all data for about a week now, but the messages never stopped, and now I am getting the tether notices.
I got the letter last May when I had an iPhone that was jailbroken. Now I got the rooted Android and I just don't want to lose unlimited data. I tried once with PDA bored at an airport and wanting to do basic surfing on my laptop. I used it again the other night on my laptop for simple surfing as my main internet went down and so far as I know (/knock on wood/) I'm okay.
Most say TTL is how they find out. My problem is they have intricate logs of every phone call and text you ever sent but can't tell me a MAC addy, time, etc. of when I tethered. Fact is known that only those with unlimited data plans were the ones attacked as it seems they are slowly trying to phase these out.
I just make sure to not have Windows Updates enabled when surfing on my laptop with tethering. It's obvious any mobile phone shouldn't be accessing this site.
I dont know how they can tell but it seems they are always able to. I used my android to tether with an iphone to download Wifi only updates and after about 3 months i got the notice saying I need to not tether or they will remove unlimited.
Apparently they say that the notices aren't always Instant (I was figuring i would get it right after i used tethering). I know for a fact i had not tethered after the last time so it was roughly 3 months behind.
I do not believe sirs (referring to OP)
Hi,
I have a Classic Family 1000 plan where I get 1000 shared minutes for two lines for $49.99 per month. I pay an additional $30 per line for data. I have a Galaxy 4G and a G2 on the account.
Both phones are able to turn on WiFi hot spot. This is an awesome feature. I use it all the time with my laptop and tablet. I don't push a lot of bytes, but it's super nice to use the laptop for email and light browsing. I rarely exceed more than a GB per month per line.
I see that T-Mobile is now charging an extra fee for WiFi tethering/hotspot. I'm curious to know what actions I might take will result in me losing the current "free" (no extra charge) capability I have now.
Is it my plan that gives me this capability or is it my phone? If I upgrade to a Galaxy 2, Galaxy Nexus, or HTC Amaze will I lose "free" (no extra charge) WiFi hotspot/tethering?
What if I keep the same phones, but switch to the $99.99 per month (2 lines, unlimited voice/data/text) plan. Will I then lose "free" (no extra charge) WiFi hotspot/tethering?
If I root the phone a install CyanogenMod (or some other non T-Mobile ROM) will I circumvent having to pay for WiFi hotspot/tethering? I have CyanogenMod on a Vibrant that my kids play games with and I like it enough. I feel comfortable rooting a phone and installing a new ROM, but I'm not the kind of guy that does this just for sport (there has to be a reason).
John
As far as I know, the "free" wifi hotspot is not disabled on any T-Mo phone. I can confirm it's on the SGSII. I don't know of anyone who has ever been forced to pay for the hotspot, I certainly have never been texted or warned when I use mine. I do tend to stay under my 5GB high speed limit, though.
If you change your plan, it wouldn't be disabled, either. As long as the phone has an unmolested android mobile ap on it, I think you're good to go. Even more so if you don't over use it.
Edit: I would think that if you're tethering an android tablet, T-Mobile wouldn't even pay attention. With a laptop the data packets are different and possibly detectable.
Free tethering
I don't know what triggers the restrictions but my daughter moved out and used tethering as her only internet for a couple of months. Then one day she tried it and got a message that tethering was a separate service she would have to pay for.
And, yes, she was using a laptop.
I think they can only detect tether if you use a tether app from the market which uses ad-hoc . If you have a custom rom with a native tether built in and is a true AP I don't think it will be detected .
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
I just lost mine when I bought my new SGS2 and they replaced my SIM. I had Hotspot for free on my Vibrant, when I tried it on the new phone today it took me to the $14.95 webpage.
I called TMo today and they said it shouldn't have ever been free...I explained that I've used it for free for the last 1.5 years...he didn't have an answer...but offered to add it to my account...I kindly said FU*K NO!!!!
zombie55 said:
I just lost mine when I bought my new SGS2 and they replaced my SIM. I had Hotspot for free on my Vibrant, when I tried it on the new phone today it took me to the $14.95 webpage.
I called TMo today and they said it shouldn't have ever been free...I explained that I've used it for free for the last 1.5 years...he didn't have an answer...but offered to add it to my account...I kindly said FU*K NO!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most likely this is because you were using a custom ROM before. Most ROM's have been edited so that when you enable tethering it treats it as Phone traffic as apposed to PC traffic. I am pretty sure you will get it back after you install a good ROM.
Raistline said:
Most likely this is because you were using a custom ROM before. Most ROM's have been edited so that when you enable tethering it treats it as Phone traffic as apposed to PC traffic. I am pretty sure you will get it back after you install a good ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope...phone was stock never flashed a ROM to it.
Well I can tell you, that tethering never worked on the stock ROM for me. As soon as I installed a custom ROM it has never failed. I would try this if I were you, otherwise you may be SOL
There is no problem tethering on the ICS Passion ROM. My kids used it on a three hour trip last week while we drove from SC to GA.
Tethering and custom ROMS
As mentioned above my daughter ( stock ROM ) was cut off from tethering.
I am still able to tether, but am using Bionix 1.3.1, and have never used it very much.
I am very interested in the info above that custom ROMS have been modified so that tethering is not detectable. I hope this is true. Does anyone know this is true for Bionix 1.3.1?
Thanks
It is that's why I said it . Trust me flash a custom rom with tether built in and you will have no problem .
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
That's great news and explains why I can still tether and some can't. THANKS!
Tethering should still work, just not with the TMobile 'Wifi Hotspot' app....
Stuff like PDANet, Wifi Tether for Root, etc...
WTRU will be impacted, however, in that some phones where it 'worked' through the stock app may have trouble...
Pre-ICS, my phone would run WTRU, which would 'route' through the stock hotspot app... Now, it doesn't - which leaves me with unsecure ad-hoc wifi only (OK for PCs, not ok for tablets, etc - and the only available security is MAC-address access control, not WEP or WPA)...
Apps like PDANet (the ones that don't need root to work) use proxying, so they won't be impacted at all because the internet usage actually is occurring on the phone... Of course, you need to buy PDANet, and it may not work with all internet apps (eg, stuff other than mail/web/etc)
I am moving from a blackberry to the Note coming March. I did used the blackberry as a modem a few times following the directions from the blackberry forums. Now I know that there are some applications for these android phones that you can do the same thing but do you have to root the phone to be able to use the wifi hot spot without ma' AT&T knowing? I cant have a phone that I cant "tether" to it, that will be a deal killer...
Thanks!
Yes, you have to root AT&T android phones or buy a tethering plan (rip-off) if you want to tether.
I know what you say about ripoff. If you already have a data plan why having to pay more to be able to use it with a different piece of equipment? I can only guess because the phones are less heavy on the network than what a pc could be since most websites for mobile devices are less data heavy.... Still, should be your option... Thanks, I wanted to stay away from rooting if possible. I am computer savvy and not technology impaired at all but I know a small percentage of phones can brick from the procedure... It will suck if I am part of that small percentage... lol!
Fernandq said:
I know what you say about ripoff. If you already have a data plan why having to pay more to be able to use it with a different piece of equipment? I can only guess because the phones are less heavy on the network than what a pc could be since most websites for mobile devices are less data heavy.... Still, should be your option... Thanks, I wanted to stay away from rooting if possible. I am computer savvy and not technology impaired at all but I know a small percentage of phones can brick from the procedure... It will suck if I am part of that small percentage... lol!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never heard of bricking a phone from rooting. If you don't follow the steps right, maybe, but it's a very simple procedure.
u can brick a phone if u dont odin properly. aka put the .tar file phone instead of pda
its not technically bricked but your modems are done.
Im pretty sure I can follow the procedure. Im new to android and when I read about any of these procedures I see the warnings about it so I think there is a real (as small as it is) chance for that to happen. Actually, if my memory serve me well when I started to investigate about the android market I think I seen a post of 2 about people phones being bricked... but I could be wrong....
Thanks for your help.
I rooted my i717 following DA_G's method. Today I used the "Wireless Tether" app I got from xda awhile ago to create wifi hot spot with my i717 4G LTE data plan, but I got an error message saying "Tethering started with errors!" and there was no "Show Log" file to be seen to see what's wronng... I was able to use the same tethering app to create wifi hot spot with T-mobile 2G data ($2 dayly fee) on another phone.
Please help. Thanks.
jcc266 said:
I rooted my i717 following DA_G's method. Today I used the "Wireless Tether" app I got from xda awhile ago to create wifi hot spot with my i717 4G LTE data plan, but I got an error message saying "Tethering started with errors!" and there was no "Show Log" file to be seen to see what's wronng... I was able to use the same tethering app to create wifi hot spot with T-mobile 2G data ($2 dayly fee) on another phone.
Please help. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to start your own thread.
I pay for the tethering plan because I need more than 2GB and if you go over that then they'll just throttle you anyway. Actually they'll throttle you before you even get that far.
I only tether in very few ocasions. I probably didnt tether last year for over 4 hours total and most of it was just waiting. I use tether for my work when I have to leave the office for something that I cant avoid and I have already used my lunch time. I login to the vpn, set the laptop in the front seat so i can hear it go off I someone is trying to contact me and that is it. If I used the phone as a wifi every day then I would definetly had a tether plan. My use is very sporadic but when I need it, I really need it and must work. I used to do that in my personal blackberry, once I get the Note I will use my corporate blackberry for that up until I decide to root it. I read about this app that let you tether off the Note and you dont have to root it so if I must I will get that... I will probably root the phone close to the 30 days of having it.
jcc266 said:
I rooted my i717 following DA_G's method. Today I used the "Wireless Tether" app I got from xda awhile ago to create wifi hot spot with my i717 4G LTE data plan, but I got an error message saying "Tethering started with errors!" and there was no "Show Log" file to be seen to see what's wronng... I was able to use the same tethering app to create wifi hot spot with T-mobile 2G data ($2 dayly fee) on another phone.
Please help. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you have to delete or freeze the TetheringManager.apk that AT&T put on there in order for it to work.
Thanks for confirmimg what I read about freezing/unstalling AT&T TetheringManager using Titanium Backup/Restore. My remaining question is: do I use "Wireless Tether" app or do I just use AT&T's stock "settings/wireless and network/tethering and portable hotspot"?
I am not sure about this, but I believe if you sign with the devil (AT&T) for their 5 Gb data plan it will include tethering already automatically?
I was same as you, very afraid of rooting or using Odin etc, untill I did follow instructions step by step on XDA forums and succesfully rooted international Galaxy S2, installed firmware to my Galaxy Tab etc. Guys here are awesome with helping newbies and people who are lost and don't ask stupid questions. Don't be worry, lets buy Note
Update:
I did a backup for TetheringManager with TitaniumBackup app, and then uninstalled it. I proceeded by using "Tethering and Portable Hotspot" in AT&T StockRom, and I got the wifi hotspot to be seens & connected to two devices OK.
I also tried the "Wireless Tether" app that I got from xda, but the same error message ("Tethering started with errors!") appeared. I do prefer to use the latter which seems to have more download/upload information. Anybody knows what to do to make it work? Thanks.
---------- Post added at 06:07 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:01 AM ----------
Oh I have the "unlimited" 4G LTE data plan grandfathered/transferred from my iPhone 4S 3G "unlimited" data plan. I think if we get Wireless Tether work for AT&T SGN, there will also be less network "problems".
jcc266 said:
I rooted my i717 following DA_G's method. Today I used the "Wireless Tether" app I got from xda awhile ago to create wifi hot spot with my i717 4G LTE data plan, but I got an error message saying "Tethering started with errors!" and there was no "Show Log" file to be seen to see what's wronng... I was able to use the same tethering app to create wifi hot spot with T-mobile 2G data ($2 dayly fee) on another phone.
Please help. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no need to run any 3rd party app (the one you mentioned is notoriously buggy last time I tried) if you rooted. Just uninstall the 'Tethering Manager' app using TitaniumBackup and you can use the built-in wireless hotspot feature. You will get caught regardless which app you use. AT&T is packet sniffing. If they suspect you tethering, they will catch you.
carlitos66 said:
I am not sure about this, but I believe if you sign with the devil (AT&T) for their 5 Gb data plan it will include tethering already automatically?
I was same as you, very afraid of rooting or using Odin etc, untill I did follow instructions step by step on XDA forums and succesfully rooted international Galaxy S2, installed firmware to my Galaxy Tab etc. Guys here are awesome with helping newbies and people who are lost and don't ask stupid questions. Don't be worry, lets buy Note
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are correct on the 5GB plan including tethering. I was on the 3GB plan for $30, however, my 21% corp discount only applies to the $50 plan, so I figured it was worth it to convert to the $50 plan with tethering which after my discount was only $9.50 more a month than the 3GB plan.
Just a heads up...
I tried this app from the market called SVTP that enabled wifi hotspot without root on my Note. I used the Lite version that is free but limited to 2 days of unlimited use, then 5 minutes per day after. The full version is not limited but is $15 bucks.
Maybe there are other apps that do what this does that aren't so expensive.
Guys Ive got a lg e980 on att running kitkat and rooted. Use sqlite to enable tethering.
But the tethering is actually to a Nexus 7 used as a GPS in my car.
Will they be able to see it being used for position location...and worst case a pandora on longer drives?
If they can see it, is their any way to hide this usage. Id rather not pay 30 bucks a month for a tablet plan just so I dont have to bluetooth my phones audio in for gps.
SuzukiGoat said:
Guys Ive got a lg e980 on att running kitkat and rooted. Use sqlite to enable tethering.
But the tethering is actually to a Nexus 7 used as a GPS in my car.
Will they be able to see it being used for position location...and worst case a pandora on longer drives?
If they can see it, is their any way to hide this usage. Id rather not pay 30 bucks a month for a tablet plan just so I dont have to bluetooth my phones audio in for gps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest, it should be fine. Any thing you do, even if they are watching you like a hawk, for all they know could just be coming from your phone. I used to tether my old Verizon phone to my Nexus 7 and use it for that sort of stuff all the time, without actually paying for VZ's tethering provisioning and they never noticed. I would be cautious, but it should be just fine.
ColtonDRG said:
To be honest, it should be fine. Any thing you do, even if they are watching you like a hawk, for all they know could just be coming from your phone. I used to tether my old Verizon phone to my Nexus 7 and use it for that sort of stuff all the time, without actually paying for VZ's tethering provisioning and they never noticed. I would be cautious, but it should be just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If Im not mistaken verizon isnt quite as on top of the tethering as ATT.
Just worried about the packets bouncing from tablet to phone...both are android running kitkat...but I am still curious if there is a way to better hide the minimal tethering.
SuzukiGoat said:
If Im not mistaken verizon isnt quite as on top of the tethering as ATT.
Just worried about the packets bouncing from tablet to phone...both are android running kitkat...but I am still curious if there is a way to better hide the minimal tethering.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you using WiFi tethering or Bluetooth tethering? I know that Bluetooth is much more difficult for carriers to track so you might consider that if you haven't already. If you are really worried, maybe give FoxFi a shot.
I personally switched to T-Mobile because they never charge any overages, are much cheaper than anyone else, and features like tethering, visual voicemail, and all the other frilly little addons are included in the plan for free.
SuzukiGoat said:
Guys Ive got a lg e980 on att running kitkat and rooted. Use sqlite to enable tethering.
But the tethering is actually to a Nexus 7 used as a GPS in my car.
Will they be able to see it being used for position location...and worst case a pandora on longer drives?
If they can see it, is their any way to hide this usage. Id rather not pay 30 bucks a month for a tablet plan just so I dont have to bluetooth my phones audio in for gps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't speak for AT&T, but on T-Mobile, using PdaNet+, I can tether my phone to my LG G Pad 8.3 with Bluetooth and it doesn't drain my hotspot data (it does use my regular data, but I have unlimited high-speed). I'm pretty sure doing the same with wi-fi hotspot does the same with my tablet too, as just last night I used my phone's wi-fi hotspot to update Asphalt 8 (1.3+GB) on my tablet, and my usage barely changed (from 290MB to 307MB), while a co-worker was using my hotspot as well.
FWIW, I hacked my Motorola Droid Razr Maxx on Verizon to bypass their tether provisioning for over a year, and they never said or did anything about it. The thing is, legally speaking, data you lease from them is your data. They can't tell you how you can or can't use it (unless it violates other laws, like kiddy porn or filesharing). Tethering is not part of this law; it's a service they offer, and naturally, they want to charge you every penny they can for it, and will do everything they can to do so. But it's still your data, as leased to you in your agreement, and yours to do with how you wish.
That said, it's still data, and will count against your plan's allotment.
As far as GPS goes, you can download maps through Google Maps and keep them for 30 days (before having to do it again). You're limited to a certain amount of area, but you can download multiple areas. Doing this means you don't need a data connection, since GPS is independent of mobile data. Perhaps not that useful for traveling across the great plains or the Rockies or across the desert to So Cal, but you can save the better part of a major metropolitan area like Chicago and its suburbs for miles around.
Honestly, they don't care enough to dig into your usage that much. I used to sell ATT. If they'd care about anything it'd be you being rooted. And all they could do if they could prove that would be void your warranty. Go nuts on it. Nothing they can do. Like someone else said it just looks like you're doing all of it from your phone, not the tablet.