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How to Turn Your iPhone 3G Into a Wireless Modem

July 22nd, 2008 @ 9:00 am

2 Comments

Categories: Gizmos and Gadgets, Travel Tips

Tags: Apple iPhone, Apple iPhone 3G, Wireless Modem, Lifehacker, 3G, Modems, Wireless, Cellular Phones, Notebooks, Consumer Electronics

iphone-tether3.jpgIf you don’t mind breaking the rules, you can use your iPhone 3G as a wireless broadband modem for your notebook. Lifehacker explains how: It starts by “jailbreaking” your phone, meaning hacking it a bit so it can run software from sources other than the App Store. This is a do-at-your-own-risk operation that’s not for novices (and not allowed by Apple or AT&T), so proceed with caution.

With that step done, it’s a simple matter of creating an ad-hoc networking on your Windows or Mac notebook, then following a few additional steps outlined in the Lifehacker post. Alas, I haven’t been able to put this to the test myself (my BNET bosses still haven’t given me the iPhone bonus I so richly deserve), but it should work. I’ve successfully “tethered” my Palm Centro, and it’s a thing of beauty: High-speed Internet access via the phone in your pocket.

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    1

    dustysage@...

    07/22/08 | Report as spam

    iPhone as WiFi connection

    It sounds great! Too bad you have to Jailbreak your phone to do it. I'm just not willing to do that. But at the prices AT&T is charging, they should allow it.

  •  
    2

    jasonlightfast

    07/23/08 | Report as spam

    RE: How to Turn Your iPhone 3G Into a Wireless Modem

    This is great, but remember if you are using your iPhone or any other phone as a USB or Bluetooth modem that the battery life will fall through the floor. I use an old HTC TYTN as a Bluetooth modem when travelling around the UK (??1/day on OrangeWorld for 25MB of 3G mobile internet access)

    As another point, don't leave your phone in your pocket... I've noticed that my TYTN gets remarkably hot when using it as a modem, and the radio waves (however weak) simply can't be good for the "boys" wink

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