Sprint says it will allow PDAnet tethering on EVO 4G, suggests it will also allow built-in Wi-Fi mobile hotspot capability in 2.2 'Froyo' update for Android | TECHNOLOGY Blog | dallasnews.com
This guy talked to a sprint rep who insuated that Froyo's wi-fi hotspot feature wont be blocked when its eventually released for the evo
Perhaps Sprint's $29.99 hotspot app will offer 8 connections while the built in froyo hotspot will offer one...
This guy talked to a sprint rep who insuated that Froyo's wi-fi hotspot feature wont be blocked when its eventually released for the evo
I was also intrigued by the news that the next version of Android, version 2.2, codenamed 'Froyo,' will include both USB tethering and the free Wi-Fi hotspot capability that Sprint wants to charge for.
If Sprint wants to charge 30 bucks a month for this service, are they really going to let Google make it available for free?
So I asked Crystal Davis, my official contact at Sprint, about both those issues, and it sounds like good news all around for EVO buyers:
There's a difference between tethering (which the PDAnet app provides) and Mobile Hotspot (which HTC EVO 4G provides without needing to download an app). The PDAnet app requires a connection with either a USB cable or Bluetooth, so it can only provide connectivity for one device at a time. Therefore, the app wouldn't be a solution for someone who wants connectivity for multiple devices at once. In contrast, the 3G/4G Mobile Hotspot provides WiFi connectivity, so it can support multiple devices (up to 8) at once, without a need for a USB or Bluetooth connection. In regards to Froyo 2.2, it has not been released yet, so we can['t] make any assessments on that particular application. Sprint has always communicated to its customers that it does not block apps. We want our customers to be able to get access to what they want and enjoy a true Web experience on their mobile device, although we cannot guarantee the performance a customer will experience with third-party applications.
Perhaps Sprint's $29.99 hotspot app will offer 8 connections while the built in froyo hotspot will offer one...