Jailbroken iPhone
Tethering, if for no other reason, is why you have to jailbreak your iPhone. Quick definition:
Tethering: Using the internet capability of your phone to allow internet access to any other device (computer, iPad, other phones, etc).
Whether you have an iPhone 2G, 3G, 3GS, or 4… it doesn’t matter. All iPhones are capable of running a version of iOS that has tethering enabled. AT&T is asking for $20/month to give you this option but why pay $240 a year for something you can get for free by jailbreaking your phone?
The option to jailbreak your iPhone has been around since about a week after the original iPhone was released. While it used to be an extremely complicated process (back in the original iPhone days) jailbreaking has become about as easy as it can get. In fact, it’s so easy now even my Dad can do it, and has, literally. All it takes is a quick Google search of “Jailbreak iPhone OS [insert iOS number here]” and you’ll find plenty of step by step instructions complete with download links for the necessary software; all free. Redmond Pie seems to always be the most current.
It is important to note that there is a distinct difference between “jailbreaking” and “unlocking”. Two more quick definitions:
Jailbreaking: Opens up the iPhone so 3rd party Apps not approved by Apple’s app store can be downloaded. There are 3rd party “App stores”, if you will, that let you download these apps. However, the iPhone will still be linked to AT&T and won’t be open to other carriers.
Unlocking: This provides all the same benefits as jailbreaking but goes one step further and allows the owner to use their phone on carriers outside of AT&T.
So why do you need the option to tether? Well once you realize you’ll have access to the internet at any time/place, you’ll understand. You’ll be able to watch shows on the internet while traveling, whether it’s in a bus, train, or car and you won’t be paying any extra. Yes, flash will work on your computer and any other iPhone restrictions won’t apply either. It will be exactly the same as using your computer or other device over WiFi, just slightly slower. Slightly slower is the truth as well, you can stream high quality HULU with a full 3G signal over tethering.
This is truly a case of once you realize what you’ve been missing out on; you won’t believe you went as long as you did with a locked iPhone. While it might not be a feature you use everyday, when you are stuck in the airport because of a delay, going on a long road trip, or in some other situation where you wish you had the option to access the internet… you’ll be very happy you have the ability to tether.
Jailbreaking also opens your phone up to a TON of other applications you wouldn’t have access to on a normal iPhone. I think the biggest plus comes from all of the utility Apps that make the iPhone so much more functional than it is under Apple’s control. Some of my favorites:
BiteSMS: By far my favorite. This app makes SMS the way it should have always been on the iPhone. When you receive an SMS, you have the option to immediately reply without closing or stopping whatever app you are currently in. Additionally, you have the option to instantly send a SMS from any place on your phone with out stopping what you are doing. Whether you are in an app or on the lock screen, it makes texting much much quicker.
SBSettings: This gives you quick access to toggle on/off a lot of features on your phone without digging through the settings menus/submenus. Also, you can toggle these settings without having to exit any app you are currently in or simply from the lock screen. Features include: 2G, 3G, WiFi, Brightness, Alarm, Tethering, and many more.
Lockinfo: Lets you display all pertinent information on your lock screen so it can be viewed without the additional step of unlocking your phone and opening up individual apps. It applies to weather, mail, SMS, notifications, calendar, etc.
Now if you’re worried about your phone not running properly because it is now jailbroken, fret not. Apple maintains their tight control over the iPhone so they can guarantee a “user friendly” experience. While jailbreaking will open you phone up to applications that could affect its performance, if you are only tethering there won’t be any issues. Further, if you decide to venture more into the jailbroken world and install other applications (I’m fully confident you will once you realize what you’ve been missing) just remember this: your iPhone is a computer, if it isn’t functioning the way you want you can just restore it to Apple’s original settings and it won’t be jailbroken anymore. Voila!
So what are you waiting for? Everyone should at least have the option to tether without AT&T’s pointless $20/month charge. Just be careful if you have the new tiered data plans, see my previous post, because tethering will eat up a lot more of your data and you don’t want the overage charges. If you elected to keep your unlimited plan, smart move for obvious reasons, you’ll be in a much more comfortable place. Just try to keep your usage under 5 GB a month because, from what I’ve seen, that is around the level AT&T will flag your account.
One more thing… for all you potential iPad consumers, if you tether with your iPhone there is NO reason for an iPad 3G. Use WiFi when you’re at home and tether your non-3G iPad when you’re not. Save yourself the $100 up charge and $30/month for service!
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June 23, 2010 at 4:35 pm
Alex
Interesting overview of a few apps only available jailbreakers. I haven’t jailbroken but could see the immediate benefit from using the apps you mentioned. They seem like great time savers. I’m curious why they were rejected from the app store. Perhaps they were developed with tools not approved by Apple.
Yesterday I met somebody who works for one of my favorite music streaming sites Groove Shark. Their web app is better than pandora’s, but their iphone app was rejected by Apple for unclear reasons. The theory is that Apple is about to come out with their own streaming service. So Groove Shark released it on Cydia and have had a few hundred thousand installs to date.
Apple has built a barb wire fence around their app store. On one hand the approval process is good because keeps quality high, but on the other hand it is extremely aggravating because they get final say about what applications you are allowed to run.
Can you clarify the last part? How do you tether a non 3g ipad? Or do you mean tether your jailbroken iphone with your laptop while away from home?
June 24, 2010 at 12:35 am
jsticca
I’d say a few hundred thousand installs is pretty good… That seems like a very Applesk reason to reject an app. They’ve done that with Google voice and other competing applications (using technicalities as the formal reason for rejection, but the real reason was fairly apparent). However, I know Apple doesn’t let any apps in the App store that alter the system files of the iPhone – so that they can keep their tight control over user experience. That is what the apps I listed do, unfortunately those types of apps are the best because they really enhance the hour-to-hour user experience of the iPhone. If you text a lot, you’ll be blown away by BiteSMS.
For the last part, I did mean tether with a non-3G iPad. The app for tethering on a jailbroken iPhone is called “MyWi” and it lets you tether in three ways: 1) USB cord, 2) Bluetooth, and 3) Making your phone a WiFi hotspot (essentially a router).
I’ve tethered a non-3G iPad with my jailbroken iPhone before using the WiFi hotspot feature and it worked wonderfully. I suspect the bluetooth tethering could also be option.
June 24, 2010 at 1:10 am
Pec
MyWi supports bluetooth data tethering?! Ooo! Time to jailbreak the 3gs and tether! I suspect around 4-5 GB a month usage in mobile data usage.
It sure sucks from another point of view though. Trade off being having unlimited data plan tethering on 3gs (without the $20 bogus fee) versus the 4th generation iPhone. God I hate AT&T!
Guess i’ll stick with the 3gs until a more appealing droid phone hits verizon.