Best Non-Rooted Tethering Program

[Brian Rubin]

Hey y'all, what would y'all say is the best program to tether my EVO to my netbook using a USB cable (I don't wanna root)? I've seen a couple like PDANet but I figured I'd ask y'all before diving in. Thanks!

Brian

 

[CuBz]

I use EasyTether, its free and easy to setup, and works fantastic

 

[gamma]

PDA net is fee and works well.

 

[w_bovine]

PDA net is fee and works well.

PdaNet is popular and it's been around for a while. The free version will not let you access secure sites (https://) however.

 

[IAmSixNine]

Will either let you do WiFi tethering or just USB tethering?

 

[wrigglesworth]

Am I missing something? Why not just use the new "Portable Wifi Hotspot" thing which is built in??

 

[w_bovine]

Am I missing something? Why not just use the new "Portable Wifi Hotspot" thing which is built in??

Is that enabled on the EVO, and if so, is it free to use?

 

[IAmSixNine]

30 a month for hotspot WiFi from sprint.

 

[wrigglesworth]

Is that enabled on the EVO, and if so, is it free to use?

Well I'm the divvy kid at the back of the class who doesn't pay much attention, but isn't it part of the new Android OS? (2.2, is it?) It appeared on my phone (HTC Desire) after it updated itself one day under "Settings", "Wireless & networks". It works fine for me, and appears to be free (to the extent that the data used is within my plan)!

 

[w_bovine]

30 a month for hotspot WiFi from sprint.

Yep...that's what I thought. Typical.

 

[w_bovine]

Will either let you do WiFi tethering or just USB tethering?

You can use USB or Bluetooth.

PdaNet -- USB Tether/Bluetooth DUN for Android

 

[w_bovine]

Well I'm the divvy kid at the back of the class who doesn't pay much attention, but isn't it part of the new Android OS? (2.2, is it?) It appeared on my phone (HTC Desire) after it updated itself one day under "Settings", "Wireless & networks". It works fine for me, and appears to be free (to the extent that the data used is within my plan)!

Are you sure you're getting it free? Tethering is almost always an additional charge. I'd check if I were you so you don't get an unpleasant surprise later.
Yeah...wireless hotspot is a feature built into Froyo, but that doesn't mean the carriers are going to let us use it for free. Another way to gouge us for data I'm afraid.

 

[fortisi876]

Another way to gouge us for data I'm afraid.

Exactly, it still pisses me off that I'm paying $10/month extra for a feature (4G) that doesn't even benefit me.

So I try not to think about it.


I heard awhile back that areas with 4G might have free permanent HotSpot access, how did that turn out? Maybe that's what this wriggle kid has?

 

[w_bovine]

Exactly, it still pisses me off that I'm paying $10/month extra for a feature (4G) that doesn't even benefit me.

So I try not to think about it.


I heard awhile back that areas with 4G might have free permanent HotSpot access, how did that turn out? Maybe that's what this wriggle kid has?

Oh...that could be it. It's the least Sprint could do for the extra $10/month. As for you...well, try not to think about it!

 

[wrigglesworth]

Are you sure you're getting it free? Tethering is almost always an additional charge. I'd check if I were you so you don't get an unpleasant surprise later.
Yeah...wireless hotspot is a feature built into Froyo, but that doesn't mean the carriers are going to let us use it for free. Another way to gouge us for data I'm afraid.

OK, well I guess I'll find out when my next bill comes! I only used the Wifi Hotspot thing for about sixty seconds out of curiousity to see if it worked. I'm on Vodafone by the way, with an "unlimited" (aka 0.5 GB per month) data plan. I'm curious to know how the phone company could tell whether the data it sent me was viewed on my phone or whether it got passed on via wifi to a laptop??

 

[w_bovine]

OK, well I guess I'll find out when my next bill comes! I only used the Wifi Hotspot thing for about sixty seconds out of curiousity to see if it worked. I'm on Vodafone by the way, with an "unlimited" (aka 0.5 GB per month) data plan. I'm curious to know how the phone company could tell whether the data it sent me was viewed on my phone or whether it got passed on via wifi to a laptop??

Apparently they do have a way of telling, though I'm not sure how exactly. PdaNet, for example, essentially masks the data in such a way that a carrier can't discern that the data is being used by something other than the phone itself.

In fact, a few months back there was a big problem for some people using PdaNet...there was a mistake in the code of an update and the data didn't get properly masked, and some users were dismayed to have been hit with extra charges on their bills.

 

[mcatdtDROID]

PDANet and Easytether are the standard in wired tethering.... Like it was mentioned, https:// sites are blocked in the free versions (easy tether offers it as a trial, but it eventually expires)

I bought the Easytether pro (one of my few paid apps) and have been very happy with it. I use it as my primary internet at the house.

I am intrigued by the Bluetooth DUN that PDANet offers. Quick question though.... my lappy does not have bluetooth on it, so would I have to first purchase a USB bluetooth adapter, THEN purchase PDANet? I would love to be able to put my droid in it's cradle, AND still surf the net at the house.

 

[w_bovine]

PDANet and Easytether are the standard in wired tethering.... Like it was mentioned, https:// sites are blocked in the free versions (easy tether offers it as a trial, but it eventually expires)

I bought the Easytether pro (one of my few paid apps) and have been very happy with it. I use it as my primary internet at the house.

I am intrigued by the Bluetooth DUN that PDANet offers. Quick question though.... my lappy does not have bluetooth on it, so would I have to first purchase a USB bluetooth adapter, THEN purchase PDANet? I would love to be able to put my droid in it's cradle, AND still surf the net at the house.

Yep...that will work. You should be able to find one of those micro Bluetooth adapters for $10-$20 just about anywhere.

 

[mcatdtDROID]

I need to get one of those for wireless printing too, just wondering if it was all the same.

 

[lordmalice]

usb tethering use easy tether for just a quick root and simple wifi hotspt for free use barnicle but you have to stay within data usage or expect a big bill me im on t mobiles unlimited data plan i am rooted and now have the lag fix for gps and system and i use barnicle great working app i sit it on the table and im using it with my laptop right now its awesome loving it

 

[w_bovine]

usb tethering use easy tether for just a quick root and simple wifi hotspt for free use barnicle but you have to stay within data usage or expect a big bill me im on t mobiles unlimited data plan i am rooted and now have the lag fix for gps and system and i use barnicle great working app i sit it on the table and im using it with my laptop right now its awesome loving it

Just beware...there's no such thing as "unlimited" data. If you go over 5GB/month it's entirely likely you'll be hearing from T-Mobile. Don't go watching YouTube all day every day with your phone, tethered or not.

 

[kanbun]

I have an HTC Hero and have installed both Easy and PdaNet. I can't get Pda to work - getting errors that suggest it doesn't like HTC Sync, so might remove Snyc since I don't use it and try again. Easy works pretty well, but PdaNet has an SMS function and of course the bluetooth that Easy doesn't.

 

[PhippsyB]

I have an HTC Hero and have installed both Easy and PdaNet. I can't get Pda to work - getting errors that suggest it doesn't like HTC Sync, so might remove Snyc since I don't use it and try again. Easy works pretty well, but PdaNet has an SMS function and of course the bluetooth that Easy doesn't.

You don't need to sync your phone to get EasyTether to work. Just install the app on your computer and phone, turn on 3g, run both the apps, and it just works.

+1 for EasyTether.

 

[kanbun]

You don't need to sync your phone to get EasyTether to work. Just install the app on your computer and phone, turn on 3g, run both the apps, and it just works.

+1 for EasyTether.

Just removed HTC Sync and restarted PdaNet and it now works fine.

 

[jamesmckeephx]

Just beware...there's no such thing as "unlimited" data. If you go over 5GB/month it's entirely likely you'll be hearing from T-Mobile. Don't go watching YouTube all day every day with your phone, tethered or not.

Sprint = Free lol. for now. only one left and CEO just said it might change if it gets crazy