Wired & Wireless HotSpot Tethering Available On Optimus V Without Root

[TVCCS]

Okay...here's the result of my efforts on tethering tonight...the news is mostly good, I think.

Wired - I noticed Mobile Stream EasyTether has an LG Ally driver on their Web site, and says all LG phones need this added driver (much like the Intercept needs an added Samsung driver). I found a post elsewhere where a guy in Greece used the same driver on his Optimus GT540 to get PDANet to work last year. I downloaded and installed the LG Ally driver - it took several minutes for the driver to install, but it did. I then rebooted both the system and the phone, and when the system came back up, it installed additional drivers including the ADB connect for a minute or two, and then finished. At that point I connected via EasyTether, and although the Network & Sharing Center (Vista 32) indicated I had a Local connection only, the system connected to the Internet. I hit the Speakeasy server in Chicago (about 300 miles away) and got the following results from a fairly weak 2-3 bar 3G connection.

Last Result:
Download Speed: 639 kbps (79.9 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 160 kbps (20 KB/sec transfer rate)

How to tether Android - EasyTether. Android tethering for Mac OS X, Ubuntu, PS3, XBox, Wii, Windows

As far as wireless tethering/HotSpot connections, there are a number of programs on the Market that allow users to make the HotSpot Settings visible and enabled. Linux people have figured out settings on their own. It works, and others are reporting the same result elsewhere. No rooting required, although there is discussion this could be disabled in a future software update from Sprint/VM. There are numerous threads on this across Android and other forums and sites.

Here is one example:

LG Optimus S Tethering - LG Cell Phones Blog


And here's the direct link to get Quick Settings from the Android Market:

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.bwx.bequick


And since this seems to be such a popular thread...here's are two YouTube videos on finding and installing Quick Settings on an Optimus V.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dhmsv9eV3lU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qimo5z8FLyI

 

[carlson]

As far as wireless tethering/HotSpot connections, there are a number of programs on the Market that allow users to make the HotSpot Settings visible and enabled. Linux people have figured out settings on their own. It works, and others are reporting the same result elsewhere. No rooting required, although there is discussion this could be disabled in a future software update from Sprint/VM. There are numerous threads on this across Android and other forums and sites.

Here is one example:

LG Optimus S Tethering - LG Cell Phones Blog

Wow - thank you so much! Downloaded Quick Settings from the market, and it worked like a charm! Awesome!

 

[TVCCS]

Wow - thank you so much! Downloaded Quick Settings from the market, and it worked like a charm! Awesome!

More than happy to oblige...your DPCI info for Target was key to nearly everyone getting their phones today...including me...thanks again.

 

[Krath61078]

The link to your one example worked for me. Thanks.

 

[asadullah]

I'm not sure or not but we may be able to use wireless tether natively. If the optimus s can then we definitely can. Of course we'll have to have root for this to be possible. I'll look into this at work when I get a chance. Unless someone else does first

 

[TVCCS]

I'm not sure or not but we may be able to use wireless tether natively. If the optimus s can then we definitely can. Of course we'll have to have root for this to be possible. I'll look into this at work when I get a chance. Unless someone else does first

Both Quick Settings (linked above in the original post) and HotSpot Widget allow you to tether natively like the S.

 

[mutaflop]

Thanks for the suggestions. I Downloaded Quick Settings and turned Wi-fi on for my Optimus V. Should my laptop now be seeing a wireless signal from my phone? I am not seeing one. I have tried reseting my phone, refreshing my wireless connections, etc. Still no luck. Could it be something to do with my phone being an Optimus V (Virgin Mobile)? My apologies if it ends up being something basic! Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[mutaflop]

I should also note I attempted to use HotSpot Widget. It appeared to install just fine but I cannot find it anywhere on my phone to actually use it. The only place I can find to prove it is on my phone is in Settings>Applications>Manage Applications>HotSpot Widget...and then I can only uninstall it. Tried install and uninstall several times with no luck.

 

[RocketFoot]

I should also note I attempted to use HotSpot Widget. It appeared to install just fine but I cannot find it anywhere on my phone to actually use it. The only place I can find to prove it is on my phone is in Settings>Applications>Manage Applications>HotSpot Widget...and then I can only uninstall it. Tried install and uninstall several times with no luck.

Just uninstall it and download quick settings...that is all you need!

Check this video...

http://androidforums.com/lg-optimus...pot-using-quick-settings-app.html#post2232306

 

[mutaflop]

I see! I was turning on "WiFi". WiFi hotspot was not showing and I was not understanding the instructions to bring up the hidden menu. The video didn't explain that but at least I could see I was missing the WiFi hotspot and figure it out from there. Thanks!!

 

[andrekb]

First post!!

I love my optimus V!!!

I love Android!!!

I love Phandroid, this thread, and QUICK SETTINGS!!!!

You saved me a ton of cash!!!!

 

[NYCkid]

Thanks, TVCCS!! Now I have web access on the road without shelling out extra $$$.
-J

 

[cpht]

widgetsoid worked for me, and I can enable from the widget itself..... muhahahahha

 

[advantageinv]

I have an Optimus S (Sprint) and am looking for a dedicated data connection while on the road. I dumped my Sprint USB data card ($70/mo after taxes) and picked up the VM USB data card since it is (was) only $40/mo for unlimited. Well now they have changed the service and $40/mo only gets me 5GB, not that I'll ever surpass that.
BUT... for $25/mo I can have unlimited data and 300 min/mo and with wireless tether, I don't have to plug anything in, so I'm dumping my data card and getting another Optimus.
I can easily use the Optimus S with the "Hotspot Widget" or with "Quick Settings". They are both easy to setup and work like a charm although "Hotspot Widget" is easier to use. I do reccomend both as Quick Settings adds great functionality.

 

[TVCCS]

I have an Optimus S (Sprint) and am looking for a dedicated data connection while on the road. I dumped my Sprint USB data card ($70/mo after taxes) and picked up the VM USB data card since it is (was) only $40/mo for unlimited. Well now they have changed the service and $40/mo only gets me 5GB, not that I'll ever surpass that.
BUT... for $25/mo I can have unlimited data and 300 min/mo and with wireless tether, I don't have to plug anything in, so I'm dumping my data card and getting another Optimus.
I can easily use the Optimus S with the "Hotspot Widget" or with "Quick Settings". They are both easy to setup and work like a charm although "Hotspot Widget" is easier to use. I do reccomend both as Quick Settings adds great functionality.

FYI...posts at Howard indicate VM will throttle data speeds on the V, after 10GB, for the remainder of the month. Still better than the other options out there at this point.

 

[JustMe0815]

works great! thank you!

 

[jj2me]

Android app Superbox also has this setting ("Settings" --> "Wi-Fi hotspot").

 

[lou61166]

Just keep this in mind,it is against the VM terms of use, doing this,i would not advise doing this non stop.

 

[DBNissan]

Has anyone been caught tethering on VM? If so, what were the penalties?

 

[lou61166]

Has anyone been caught tethering on VM? If so, what were the penalties?

I would imagine they would ban you from their networks,i got caught by Cablevision altering the cable modem they gave me to increase my bandwidth and was banned,but they did not take legal action.

 

[TVCCS]

Has anyone been caught tethering on VM? If so, what were the penalties?

No. And people have been using tethering on Sprint phones for years...as I have stated repeatedly now, Sprint bought their first tethering software years ago from PDANet after PDANet had already had it on the market for Sprint phones, and never asked PDANet to stop selling the software to Sprint customers. Sprint customers had/have the option of buying tethering software or paying Sprint a monthly fee for it. I've been using Smartphones on Sprint since the Palm Treo 300 in 2003, and started tethering in 2004 with the Treo 600.

Technically, VM/Sprint could discontinue your service for tethering as it's a violation of their TOS...but VM/Sprint's main concern, like other providers, is data usage. VM is throttling data after 10GB of use in a month on Beyond Talk plans, but for the moment at least, that's their reply. I use tethering 1-2x a month when I need it for a laptop for an hour or so and don't have access to WiFi, but that's it...my needs are such I'd never pay a monthly fee for it from anyone. There are other carriers and phones that offer built-in tethering at no extra change, and if VM/Sprint ever got ornery about it, I'd just port and switch...especially if they ever tried to block wired tethering. If you use a lot of video, download big files, and/or stream music all day and night, you can hit that 10GB mark without tethering, ever...so tethering isn't a specific cause for data consumption at the outset...although it can certainly make it easier for some.

Sprint and VM could have tried to block the HotSpot feature on the S and the V, but so far they haven't, and Sprint was fully aware of Quick Settings, etc., before the V was released.

If you don't want to violate VM's TOS and that's a specific concern, don't tether.

 

[DBNissan]

Thanks TVCCS. I have a mobile business and will occasionally need to tether. I had a Sprint data-air-card and maybe used 3-4gb per month at the most with averages more in the 2-3gb range. I got tired of paying $65/mo for just data connection. Sprint wanted $100/month to upgrade to an android phone with mobile hotspot(an extra charge). So, you can see how the VM $25 unlimited data made me jump over. I just don't want to do anything to lose the savings. lol

 

[Kilo70]

I just tried Quick Setting to turn on the Mobile Hot Spot.It wont set the secure setting with a password though.What am I doing wrong?

 

[csiemers]

I just tried Quick Setting to turn on the Mobile Hot Spot.It wont set the secure setting with a password though.What am I doing wrong?

See if my video I made helps.
http://www.youtube.com/tanksandplanes#p/u/11/qimo5z8FLyI

 

[MrTweaker]

Yeah, I briefly hot spotted while in a Zipcar to use my Ipod touch's Zipcar app to add another hour of time (wish Zipcar had an android app but they don't right now). Doubt if they'd have a problem with that.