Hi all,
I got problem with internet connection on my HD2 (ROM 1.48). There are 2 ways I connect to the internet - WIFI and GPRS. GPRS connection works fine - I can download and read e-mails, make backups with MyPhone, update weather information, etc. But when I connect to the internet with WIFI, there are only 2 things I can do. I can browse web pages with Opera and update Twitter messages. But I can´t download e-mails, make backups, update weather information, etc. When I try to update or backup something, there is connection error (through that connection between phone and router is fine and web pages are running).
It seems to me like most of applications want to connect to internet via GPRS only. Is there any way to set up (or check) the phone to connect to the internet via WIFI when it is turned on?
Thanks for any advice
Sorry cant help but agree - it would be fantastic if there was some way of knowing / controlling when it used GPRS data and when it uses wifi. When wifi availabe obviously would rather use that than be charge a small firtune for data.
Any one out there about to help with this??
Internet browsing
Ditto. I can - after HUGE effort - connect WiFi but I cannot browse the internet using either Opera or IE. 2 year old Nokia connected and browsed literally within 2 secs! Also, the phone keeps connecting via GPRS all the time even with data connections off. Can anyone help? Thanks PS I know it's unproductive & forgive me, but I have to get this off my chest: this is the worst cellphone I've ever owned. Bluetooth doesn't work, internet doesn't work, handsfree car kit doesn't work. Does anything work?
kakphone said:
Ditto. I can - after HUGE effort - connect WiFi but I cannot browse the internet using either Opera or IE. 2 year old Nokia connected and browsed literally within 2 secs! Also, the phone keeps connecting via GPRS all the time even with data connections off. Can anyone help? Thanks PS I know it's unproductive & forgive me, but I have to get this off my chest: this is the worst cellphone I've ever owned. Bluetooth doesn't work, internet doesn't work, handsfree car kit doesn't work. Does anything work?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
correction, YOUR Bluetooth doesn't work, YOUR internet doesn't work, YOUR handsfree car kit doesn't work.
Get it exchanged. (if they genuinely dont work)
@others, go to settings menu all settings connection connections advanced select networks.
there are two dropdowns, in teh top one should be the name of your mobile data, , this is what automatic progs will use to connect to the web, in teh bottom one it should be 'the internet' (or sometimes 'my work network'), meaning they use wifi if available, and data if not.
(At least thats how they should work....)
If you set the top one the same as teh bottom one, nothing should try to use mobile unless wifi is not connected.
Could be a proxy problem? some operators set up a proxy, which can screw with connections.
samsamuel: Thank you for your advice. I´ve tried it - in both dropdowns I got "my work network", but no success.
I´ve found something interessting. When I turn on YouTube client (using WIFI), I can´t play videos. That should be ok when I got problem with internet connection. But YouTube client shows on the welcome screen preview of today´s added videos. So the question is why should application download preview of video, but it can´t play the video? I´m a little bit confused
Thanks for the suggestion, but I had tried that already and it did not work. I don't think it is just my cellphone. There are many comments re the HD2 that make it clear that it does not work with a Parrot handsfree carkit, Motorola S9 headset etc, and the 2 earlier posts reveal problems using WiFi too. It seems to be problematic on many fronts. I cannot even connect it using Windows Mobile via an USB port! And while I appreciate all suggestions it seems to me that this model is a (very expensive) lemon and frustrates huge numbers of owners. I find it odd that a 2 year old Nokia N95 can connect and browse instantly and a 'smart phone' doesn't work at all. I find it to be very gimmicky. I don't need twitter, facebook etc. I need voice dial, good PC software (like Ovi and PC suite) and bluetooth that works etc. The HD2 has none of this, but great graphics of a windscreen wiper, exactly the sort of pointless gimmick that reveals that the designers were interested in making a toy and not a useful phone.
I suggest you try and install "HTC_Wi-Fi_onDemand_by_Krocher". This program will always use wifi when available and stop the GPRS from connecting and will also keep your wifi on a stand-by. Please do read through the thread as you have to make sure that no programs using wifi are activated when you want it to be off. For me it solved several problems with wifi.
Second thought is to upgrade to one of the much more stable and already tweaked OS's. There are quite a lot out and you'll find everything about that on this forum as well.
Last thought, if it does not work it must be something to do with either the settings or the OS version as for others it works absolutely fine. These are complicated phones that, much like computers, must be set and tweaked to the correct settings in order to get the best out of them. If you just want a "buy and run" phone this is not the one.
Success,
Itamar
So I got my self to thinking; What is the best way to handle connectivity for my devices?
I have a rooted/rom'd Evo Shift, and will have my gTab soon (hopefully). I generally leave BT on my phone on all the time, and it is currently paired with my Car's head unit to stream audio and hands free calls.
Do I pair my table to my phone via BT and tether?
What are the consequences of leaving that on all the time? How would that affect the battery life of the phone and tablet? I know in the old days when you used the PAM (phone as modem) your phone didn't get any internet connectivity. Is that the case with BT tethering?
Do I pair my tablet with my head unit? I don't know if it can be paired with more then one device. I doubt it though. Maybe just pair hands free from my phone and a2dp from the gtab? Not sure if that is possible, have to read the head unit's manual.
I apologize for the incoherent ramblings. I'm trying to figure out what other people have done along with what works well, or what doesn't work at all.
Thanks,
So I've read up a little more and found some answers.
Looks like I can get GPS information from my phone via blue tooth. This will be awesome in the car. Any one who has done this, is it possible to get internet tethering via blue tooth from the same phone at the same time?
Using wifi to tether data while i use blue tooth for GPS information is possible, but doesn't seem very elegant.
It doesn't look like my head unit can have multiple BT pairings active at the same time. Guess I will have to use an aux cable for the tab and BT for my phone.
An ideal solution would be for my tab to use wifi for internet if available, and tether via BT to my phone if a wifi network is not available. It would be nice to leave the tethering open all day, but I think that would drain my phones battery something fierce. My over all concept it to have a personal network of interconnected devices with my phone acting as their connection to the internet.
Any advice, comments, death threats or criticism (constructive or not).
Bluetooth GPS sharing is very doable. There are several threads dedicated to setting this up. Looks like you may have found a few of them.
Tethering BT data to your phone is also very doable. Again, there are several threads on this, and I'm pretty active in most of them. Been working on this for a bit.
Start with this one:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1001496
Wifi tethering is much easier. The issue I've had is mostly around BT and Wifi signal conflicts. I don't see it much in just using BT GPS and WiFi Data, but if I receive a call (I use a BT headset when on the road), the quality of my call is in the toilet for at least a minute or so. My guess is that the Tab is trying to get WiFI data from the phone (which it won't be able to because I'm on the phone - VZW CDMA - can't be on the Net and on phone at same time). After about a minute or so, it calms down. Unacceptable solution though.
So, I've now been mostly doing GPS & Data through Bluetooth to the phone. The problem with this hookup is again when I take a call, of course my Data drops on the tab (no way around that). But even worse, the GPS signal gets degraded too. I'm thinking just not enough Bluetooth bandwidth to support Headset, Data, and GPS at the same time?
So my most recent setup (just tried it for a bit today) is to use an external Bluetooth GPS (got one on Amazon for about $25.00) and then Bluetooth Tether to the phone for data. It's a little bit complicated, and involves yet another 'gadget', but I am getting the best results from this setup so far.
Thanks for the info.
I'm on sprint and know the "no data and voice" problem all to well. Even when using maps for navigation on my phone, if a call comes in, the GPS becomes retarded and inaccurate. Once the call ends, all is good.
with getting data from your phone via bluetooth, is that something you leave on all the time or do you have to turn on BT tethering when you want data?
grandebob said:
Thanks for the info.
I'm on sprint and know the "no data and voice" problem all to well. Even when using maps for navigation on my phone, if a call comes in, the GPS becomes retarded and inaccurate. Once the call ends, all is good.
with getting data from your phone via bluetooth, is that something you leave on all the time or do you have to turn on BT tethering when you want data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't been using that often to be honest. So when I do, I turn on BT tethering at that time.
I also use Co-Pilot for Navigation. It doesn't need data, just GPS. Map data is downloaded to the sdcard. Just depends on how I feel at that moment. Both nav systems have their advantages/disadvantages.
I'll have to check out co-pilot. storing maps for offline use sounds like a good idea, as long as they don't get stale.
OK, so I've kind of got blue tooth GPS data working. Using an app called "ShareGPS" on my phone and "BlueToothGPS" on my gtab, I've successfully gotten gps data to my tab. Using the BlueToothGPS app on my tab, i can see satellites and GPS data flowing. Unfortunately maps doesn't seem to get location data, and there doesn't appear to be a way to enable GPS data in any of the settings.
Running TnT lite. Any one know how I can get maps to see the GPS data?
I just got my Tab last night and while at work, decided to download a book that I'm in the middle of (Amazon archive). Our wifi at work is weak (to say the least) and I couldn't keep a connection long enough to download one book. It finally dawned on me that my rooted Evo has wireless tether. It worked like a champ! It's the first time I've used it and I gotta tell you, that alone made my day. Nice strong connection and I was able to websurf to my heart's content. I'm running TnT Lite 4.40.
I've searched around for some solid technique or, preferably, app that allows you to trick apps into thinking you are using Wifi when in reality you are still on 3g/4g.
- I am NOT looking for alternatives or workarounds for a specific app
I found it crazy that the iPhone has over a dozen apps, tweaks, etc that can easily do this type of thing, but the only stuff I've found on the subject for android were either ridiculous techniques that don't work, or people questioning WHY you'd want to do this...
If anyone has ANY information on this subject, please tell.
Is there a reason why this is so much harder on Android than on iPhone? I'd be happy to learn exactly what the problem is here.
bump
Im also interested on this. I have unlimited data and i find it ridiculous that devs make apps to only work on wifi. I use to use 3g unrestrictor all the time back when i had my iPhone.
bump
bump again...
Well i know this works with certain android games like zenonia and modern combat which require wifi not data connection so you can try it with other stuff. You have to be rooted.
The first step is to turn your Wi-Fi on and*download Android Wi-Fi tether app*available in Market.
Once you have the app downloaded, launch the app and go to Menu > Settings > Change > Setup Method and select Softap option.
Now start tethering and drag down the notification bar.
In case your Wi-Fi icon is still enabled, it means that you have done it right so far.
Do not press the Wi-Fi toggle icon and launch the game you want to play
-------------
I am a dishonest man, and you can always honestly trust a dishonest man to be dishonest. Honestly it's the honest ones you have to watch out for.
xMrArnoldx said:
Well i know this works with certain android games like zenonia and modern combat which require wifi not data connection so you can try it with other stuff. You have to be rooted.
The first step is to turn your Wi-Fi on and*download Android Wi-Fi tether app*available in Market.
Once you have the app downloaded, launch the app and go to Menu > Settings > Change > Setup Method and select Softap option.
Now start tethering and drag down the notification bar.
In case your Wi-Fi icon is still enabled, it means that you have done it right so far.
Do not press the Wi-Fi toggle icon and launch the game you want to play
-------------
I am a dishonest man, and you can always honestly trust a dishonest man to be dishonest. Honestly it's the honest ones you have to watch out for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It didn't work.. My wifi is turned off as soon as the tethering starts. What app exactly am I supposed to use?
Thanks!
Try wifi tether for root users.
---------------------
Give me a thanks if i helped
Lg Lucid running Cm10
w/ Cm10 Kernel
Asus Tf700 running Cromi-X 4.6.5
w/ Max's v4 kernel
Some Android games and application require a Wi-Fi connection due to the large amount of data that they use. If you don't have Wi-Fi available, however, you won't be able to use the apps or play the games, even if you have a fast 3G connection. You can trick your phone into believing that the Wi-Fi is connected by saving a small text file to your SD card so the phone will play games and apps as if it's on Wi-Fi when it's only connected to 3G.
Things You'll Need
PC
Data cable
Text editing app
Instructions
1) Launch a text editing program on your computer and type "FALSE" in all caps. Save the file and give it the name "qaWifiOnlyMode.txt" exactly with all the lower-case and capital letters duplicated precisely, otherwise the Android operating system won't see the file. Close the text editing program.
2) Plug your Android device into your computer and drag your finger down from the top of the screen to open the notification area. Tap "USB Connected" and then confirm that you want to mount your SD card as a drive on the computer.
3) Find the qaWifiOnlyMode.txt file on your computer and click to select it. Press "Ctrl" and "C" to copy the file. Browse to the location of your Android device's SD card on your computer. In the base(root) directory, not in any sub-folder, press "Ctrl" and "V" to paste the text file to the card.
4) Drag down the notification area on your Android device and tap the USB connection to disconnect the device from the computer. Unplug the USB cable. Your device will now play games and apps as if it's on Wi-Fi even if it's only on 3G.
Diablo67 said:
Some Android games and application require a Wi-Fi connection due to the large amount of data that they use. If you don't have Wi-Fi available, however, you won't be able to use the apps or play the games, even if you have a fast 3G connection. You can trick your phone into believing that the Wi-Fi is connected by saving a small text file to your SD card so the phone will play games and apps as if it's on Wi-Fi when it's only connected to 3G.
Things You'll Need
PC
Data cable
Text editing app
Instructions
1) Launch a text editing program on your computer and type "FALSE" in all caps. Save the file and give it the name "qaWifiOnlyMode.txt" exactly with all the lower-case and capital letters duplicated precisely, otherwise the Android operating system won't see the file. Close the text editing program.
2) Plug your Android device into your computer and drag your finger down from the top of the screen to open the notification area. Tap "USB Connected" and then confirm that you want to mount your SD card as a drive on the computer.
3) Find the qaWifiOnlyMode.txt file on your computer and click to select it. Press "Ctrl" and "C" to copy the file. Browse to the location of your Android device's SD card on your computer. In the base(root) directory, not in any sub-folder, press "Ctrl" and "V" to paste the text file to the card.
4) Drag down the notification area on your Android device and tap the USB connection to disconnect the device from the computer. Unplug the USB cable. Your device will now play games and apps as if it's on Wi-Fi even if it's only on 3G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, this whole text file thing didn't work for me. Do you have to be rooted for this to work?
It didn't work for me either and I'm rooted
Work for anyone
Did the above fix work for anyone?
.txt thing didn't work for me either and I'm rooted]
I am having a rooted phone with busybox and this text file trick doesn't work.
Sent from my GT-S5360 Gadget of Mass Destruction using xda-app
Using CWM........Busybox Commands........No I use my hands
I've been searching for a way to fool apps into thinking their on WiFi. No luck.
I hate to beat the dead horse but I switched from an iPhone to a HTC One and its turning out to be a bad deal. Your telling me all these yrs and no one has been able to make one of the most basic apps the iPhone can get via cydia yet.
We should start a bounty ...
I'll throw in 100 to start it off with.
omf05 said:
I've been searching for a way to fool apps into thinking their on WiFi. No luck.
I hate to beat the dead horse but I switched from an iPhone to a HTC One and its turning out to be a bad deal. Your telling me all these yrs and no one has been able to make one of the most basic apps the iPhone can get via cydia yet.
We should start a bounty ...
I'll throw in 100 to start it off with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's pretty pathetic really
I'll be abroad next week and wanted to catch a bit of the French Open Tennis but one of the TV apps I'm using requires a wifi connection. The fact there is no workaround yet is almost as idiotic as the morons who implement this "feature" in their apps.
Why should I care if someone is dumb enough to rinse their 1GB Data limit when I have unlimited 4G internet?
I asked about this in the Xposed forum, since it seems like an Xposed module might be the way to trick apps into thinking you're on wi-fi.
For me, the issue is with PdaNet+. I have unlimited data with T-Mobile, and I can pair my tablet via bluetooth and use my phone's data on my tablet. However, some apps don't work because they don't detect a data connection (ie: wi-fi), even though there is one. I can browse the internet. I can browse Google Play. But I can't download anything from Google Play, because it keeps waiting for a network connection. I can use Facebook, but I can't use the Facebook Messenger.
The work-around I can use at home is to use a virtual wi-fi router program on my laptop, connect my tablet to my laptop's wifi, and then connect my tablet via PdaNet+ bluetooth. Even there's no data going through the wi-fi, it still "tricks" my tablet into thinking there's a network connection, and it proceeds to download through bluetooth. Of course, this only works at home or if I have my laptop with me.
Yeah, I can always just tether my phone to my laptop and run my tablet off the laptop's virtual wi-fi router (which I typically do), but that's slower, and again, only works when my computer is with me.
Planterz said:
I asked about this in the Xposed forum, since it seems like an Xposed module might be the way to trick apps into thinking you're on wi-fi.
For me, the issue is with PdaNet+. I have unlimited data with T-Mobile, and I can pair my tablet via bluetooth and use my phone's data on my tablet. However, some apps don't work because they don't detect a data connection (ie: wi-fi), even though there is one. I can browse the internet. I can browse Google Play. But I can't download anything from Google Play, because it keeps waiting for a network connection. I can use Facebook, but I can't use the Facebook Messenger.
The work-around I can use at home is to use a virtual wi-fi router program on my laptop, connect my tablet to my laptop's wifi, and then connect my tablet via PdaNet+ bluetooth. Even there's no data going through the wi-fi, it still "tricks" my tablet into thinking there's a network connection, and it proceeds to download through bluetooth. Of course, this only works at home or if I have my laptop with me.
Yeah, I can always just tether my phone to my laptop and run my tablet off the laptop's virtual wi-fi router (which I typically do), but that's slower, and again, only works when my computer is with me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you provide a little more detail in how to do this? What program are you using on your laptop? So the phone is running PDANet and then you connect it to your laptop via Bluetooth. Then after that you connect your tablet to the laptop's virtual wifi router?
Don't know if I understood completely but thanks in advance.
taino211 said:
Could you provide a little more detail in how to do this? What program are you using on your laptop? So the phone is running PDANet and then you connect it to your laptop via Bluetooth. Then after that you connect your tablet to the laptop's virtual wifi router?
Don't know if I understood completely but thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have T-Mobile's Unlimited plan, which has unlimited data and 5gb free hotspot. My phone is a T-Mobile branded Samsung Galaxy Light SGH T399. On my phone I have PdaNet+ installed, with the full unlock key purchased ($8).
There's a free one to try, to make sure it works with your phone; whether it works or not depends on the phone itself, the version of Android it runs, and the provider from which you got it (if you didn't get an unlocked version). For example, a particular phone might work fine with T-Mobile, but the Sprint version of that phone might not. That's why there's the free version - to test before purchasing. The limitation with the free version is that it times out after about ~10 minutes and you have to reconnect.
PdaNet can connect to your computer in 3 ways. Wifi, Bluetooth, or USB tethering. Again, depending on your phone, carrier branding, and Android version, some methods may work while others won't.
Wifi works just like any wifi hotspot. However, depending on the afore mentioned conditions, wifi hotspot might not work the way you want it to. For example, on my T-Mobile branded Samsung Galaxy Light SGH-T399, using the wifi hotspot on PdaNet also loads up the pre-installed T-Mobile hotspot, which drains the 5gb mobile hotspot allotment. I haven't found a way to break that on this phone. On other phones (like Nexus devices), I know there are ways to only use your phone's data, and not the hotspot allotment, but frankly, these are very complicated and need a VPN subscription (ie: more money) to work. Wifi hotspot use is often broken anyway, depending on your carrier and Android version.
Bluetooth and USB tethering work differently than wi-fi, but otherwise work essentially the same way as each other. Both require a companion program to be installed onto your computer. A good idea is to keep a copy of this program on your phone, so you can install it on other people's computers if necessary (and perhaps the USB drivers for your phone as well).
I haven't messed around with Bluetooth much, because the Bluetooth on my laptop (via a dongle) is glitchy as $#@!, and I've never been able to get PdaNet to work with it properly except for a couple times which didn't last. Actually, I've never gotten anything to work properly with Bluetooth on my laptop, so this is probably just a problem with my computer/dongle/drivers, and YMMV. On the few times I've gotten PdaNet or other internet via Bluetooth (which some phones have built-in, and don't require PdaNet at all), speeds have been much, much slower, and I'd rather tether via USB anyway.
I connect my phone's internet to my laptop with USB tether. Make sure USB debugging is enabled, and plug it in. Make sure it's set as a Mass Storage device (4.1 or earlier), or as a Media Device (4.2+). Then on your phone, open PdaNet+ and Activate USB Tether (you can do this before plugging it in, it doesn't matter). On your computer, load PdaNet, and select Connect Internet (USB). If everything has been set up correctly, it should say "Connected", and you can now use your phone's internet on your computer.
Here's the important part:
If you don't have an Unlimited plan, tethering (via any method) will suck down your data. If you do have an unlimited plan, there's an option in PdaNet's settings (on your computer) to "Hide Tether Usage". This uses a proxy or VPN (not sure which) to fool your provider into thinking you're on your phone, and not on your computer. This works for me, with my phone, on T-Mobile. No guarantees that this will work with other phones, or other providers. Try the free version first, monitor your data usage (use your provider's account app, not the built-in Android one), and see if it works for you.
As for the virtual wifi network, there are a couple ways to do this. The PdaNet program for your computer actually has this built into it. Once you're connected, select the "WiFi Share" option, and it'll set up a wi-fi network that you (and others) can use on other devices, like other phones, tablets, computers smart-TVs, etc. Obviously, the computer you're tethered to needs to have wi-fi capability for this to work. But as long as you have a wi-fi modem, it can be turned into a wi-fi router with this option. It's not as strong as a real wi-fi router, but you don't have to buy and network a different piece of equipment either.
There are also stand-alone virtual wi-fi router programs. The one I've used mainly is Virtual Router Manager beta 0.9. A while ago, I tried a newer, non-beta version, but it was extremely unstable, so I went back to the 0.9 beta. I haven't tried any newer version in quite some time. I used this when I had proper internet (cable) in my apartment, but wanted to use wi-fi instead of my phone's data to do downloads or updates on my phone.
Neither the Virtual Router Manager or the WiFi Share option on PdaNet are 100% stable. Every once in a while, something glitches out, and I have to reboot my computer (I usually reboot my phone at the same time, just to be sure). But hey, apart from the $8 for PdaNet+, I get unlimited mobile and home internet for $80/month, so I can't complain.
To recap, I have my phone USB tethered to my laptop (which is plugged into a 42" HDTV) via PdaNet+. I use a virtual wi-fi router option to give wi-fi to my tablet. One internet connection, 3 devices connected.
My problem is that, even though I own a laptop, it practically never goes with my anywhere. It sits on a cooling pad, plugged into 2 external HDDs and my 42" HDTV, and I sit at my couch with a wireless mouse/keyboard. But when I'm away from my apartment, and I have my tablet, there's certain things I can't do on the tablet connected via PdaNet and Bluetooth, because it doesn't have a wi-fi connection, and these certain apps don't detect a network connection.
Planterz said:
I have T-Mobile's Unlimited plan, which has unlimited data and 5gb free hotspot. My phone is a T-Mobile branded Samsung Galaxy Light SGH T399. On my phone I have PdaNet+ installed, with the full unlock key purchased ($8).
There's a free one to try, to make sure it works with your phone; whether it works or not depends on the phone itself, the version of Android it runs, and the provider from which you got it (if you didn't get an unlocked version). For example, a particular phone might work fine with T-Mobile, but the Sprint version of that phone might not. That's why there's the free version - to test before purchasing. The limitation with the free version is that it times out after about ~10 minutes and you have to reconnect.
PdaNet can connect to your computer in 3 ways. Wifi, Bluetooth, or USB tethering. Again, depending on your phone, carrier branding, and Android version, some methods may work while others won't.
Wifi works just like any wifi hotspot. However, depending on the afore mentioned conditions, wifi hotspot might not work the way you want it to. For example, on my T-Mobile branded Samsung Galaxy Light SGH-T399, using the wifi hotspot on PdaNet also loads up the pre-installed T-Mobile hotspot, which drains the 5gb mobile hotspot allotment. I haven't found a way to break that on this phone. On other phones (like Nexus devices), I know there are ways to only use your phone's data, and not the hotspot allotment, but frankly, these are very complicated and need a VPN subscription (ie: more money) to work. Wifi hotspot use is often broken anyway, depending on your carrier and Android version.
Bluetooth and USB tethering work differently than wi-fi, but otherwise work essentially the same way as each other. Both require a companion program to be installed onto your computer. A good idea is to keep a copy of this program on your phone, so you can install it on other people's computers if necessary (and perhaps the USB drivers for your phone as well).
I haven't messed around with Bluetooth much, because the Bluetooth on my laptop (via a dongle) is glitchy as $#@!, and I've never been able to get PdaNet to work with it properly except for a couple times which didn't last. Actually, I've never gotten anything to work properly with Bluetooth on my laptop, so this is probably just a problem with my computer/dongle/drivers, and YMMV. On the few times I've gotten PdaNet or other internet via Bluetooth (which some phones have built-in, and don't require PdaNet at all), speeds have been much, much slower, and I'd rather tether via USB anyway.
I connect my phone's internet to my laptop with USB tether. Make sure USB debugging is enabled, and plug it in. Make sure it's set as a Mass Storage device (4.1 or earlier), or as a Media Device (4.2+). Then on your phone, open PdaNet+ and Activate USB Tether (you can do this before plugging it in, it doesn't matter). On your computer, load PdaNet, and select Connect Internet (USB). If everything has been set up correctly, it should say "Connected", and you can now use your phone's internet on your computer.
Here's the important part:
If you don't have an Unlimited plan, tethering (via any method) will suck down your data. If you do have an unlimited plan, there's an option in PdaNet's settings (on your computer) to "Hide Tether Usage". This uses a proxy or VPN (not sure which) to fool your provider into thinking you're on your phone, and not on your computer. This works for me, with my phone, on T-Mobile. No guarantees that this will work with other phones, or other providers. Try the free version first, monitor your data usage (use your provider's account app, not the built-in Android one), and see if it works for you.
As for the virtual wifi network, there are a couple ways to do this. The PdaNet program for your computer actually has this built into it. Once you're connected, select the "WiFi Share" option, and it'll set up a wi-fi network that you (and others) can use on other devices, like other phones, tablets, computers smart-TVs, etc. Obviously, the computer you're tethered to needs to have wi-fi capability for this to work. But as long as you have a wi-fi modem, it can be turned into a wi-fi router with this option. It's not as strong as a real wi-fi router, but you don't have to buy and network a different piece of equipment either.
There are also stand-alone virtual wi-fi router programs. The one I've used mainly is Virtual Router Manager beta 0.9. A while ago, I tried a newer, non-beta version, but it was extremely unstable, so I went back to the 0.9 beta. I haven't tried any newer version in quite some time. I used this when I had proper internet (cable) in my apartment, but wanted to use wi-fi instead of my phone's data to do downloads or updates on my phone.
Neither the Virtual Router Manager or the WiFi Share option on PdaNet are 100% stable. Every once in a while, something glitches out, and I have to reboot my computer (I usually reboot my phone at the same time, just to be sure). But hey, apart from the $8 for PdaNet+, I get unlimited mobile and home internet for $80/month, so I can't complain.
To recap, I have my phone USB tethered to my laptop (which is plugged into a 42" HDTV) via PdaNet+. I use a virtual wi-fi router option to give wi-fi to my tablet. One internet connection, 3 devices connected.
My problem is that, even though I own a laptop, it practically never goes with my anywhere. It sits on a cooling pad, plugged into 2 external HDDs and my 42" HDTV, and I sit at my couch with a wireless mouse/keyboard. But when I'm away from my apartment, and I have my tablet, there's certain things I can't do on the tablet connected via PdaNet and Bluetooth, because it doesn't have a wi-fi connection, and these certain apps don't detect a network connection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the great explanation! This helps quite a bit. I'll give this a shot to see how it goes.
Dear forum members,
it looks like the Gear S is not capable of using the WiFi connection as a standalone device (for ex. to browse with Opera Mini) and it needs always to be paired through bluetooth with the device which is hosting the Gear Manager (which has been rooted in my case as it is not a Galaxy).
So, if that is the case, what's the point of having a WiFi connection?
Furthermore the GPS on the watch is not really working either as a standalone device...
Thank you in advance for your feedbacks!
Best
Alberto
albertods said:
Dear forum members,
it looks like the Gear S is not capable of using the WiFi connection as a standalone device (for ex. to browse with Opera Mini) and it needs always to be paired through bluetooth with the device which is hosting the Gear Manager (which has been rooted in my case as it is not a Galaxy).
So, if that is the case, what's the point of having a WiFi connection?
Furthermore the GPS on the watch is not really working either as a standalone device...
Thank you in advance for your feedbacks!
Best
Alberto
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats not accurate, with bluetooth of on your phone, the Gear will use 3g/4g or wifi for data.
cipherswitch said:
thats not accurate, with bluetooth of on your phone, the Gear will use 3g/4g or wifi for data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you, but why do I need bluetooth on my phone? Why can't the watch work independently?
albertods said:
Thank you, but why do I need bluetooth on my phone? Why can't the watch work independently?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because it needs a phone to be configured and for Gear Manager to work. Thats how its supposed to work.
cipherswitch said:
Because it needs a phone to be configured and for Gear Manager to work. Thats how its supposed to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, I have the same concern here. If the Gear S already has the WiFi hardware and I have a WiFi router- isn't there a way to use the WiFi connection on my Gear S to connect to my WiFi router without having to connect the Gear S to a smartphone (either through bluetooth or through tethering)?
XDAUserWork said:
Yea, I have the same concern here. If the Gear S already has the WiFi hardware and I have a WiFi router- isn't there a way to use the WiFi connection on my Gear S to connect to my WiFi router without having to connect the Gear S to a smartphone (either through bluetooth or through tethering)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. In order to use Gear Manager configuration, a phone is required.
XDAUserWork said:
Yea, I have the same concern here. If the Gear S already has the WiFi hardware and I have a WiFi router- isn't there a way to use the WiFi connection on my Gear S to connect to my WiFi router without having to connect the Gear S to a smartphone (either through bluetooth or through tethering)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know this is old but completely inaccurate information throughout.
The Gear S just needs to be configured ONCE for setup with a device and from there it CAN be completely standalone. Thats not even completely true anymore either as a more advanced user could find the tutorial to do it without a device via youtube.
The device works just over wifi, over 3G, or on bluetooth. The device is standalone plain and simple. Mine is set to 3G auto off/on so if I leave my phone it automatically connects to 3G. The wifi standalone is nice but I find it uses too much battery for day to day use.
Also Gear Manager can be used through wifi, 3G or whatever as long as its connected through a samsung account and the option is checked in the settings for Allow Remote Connection. If you're talking about using gear manager without a cellphone then you need to go to samsung account online via computer.