Many smartphones can be used as modems, tethered to laptops via USB cable, WiFi or Bluetooth. Many cellular carriers now offer a tethering option for an additional monthly fee.
JK OnTheRun points out that Windows Mobile smartphone users have long been able to tether their phone to the notebook with third party apps like PDAnet, which uses a USB cable. But BlackBerry owners have not been able to tether their phones without a carrier fee.
Until today. TetherBerry is designed to turn the BlackBerry into a notebook modem via USB. But you have to buy the program ($39 introductory price), download/install it to a PC (Macs not supported), then download the BlackBerry app and then run them both.
Using your cell phone as a mobile access point is another option.
- WMWifiRouter instantly turns your wifi enabled Windows Mobile phone (list of supported devices) into a wireless internet hotspot. It costs 29.99 USD.
- JoikuSpot also turns a Symbian S60 smartphone like the Nokia N95 into a mobile internet hotspot, just like WMWifiRouter does for Windows Mobile devices.
- WalkingHotSpot ($6.99 per month or $24.99 per year; supports both Symbian S60 and Windows Mobile 6 smartphones.
- Ndroi works with an Android phone. It will allow you to share your internet connection using the phone’s built-in WiFi. Essentially, Ndoi turns your G1 into a public hotspot. Here are the instructions for the adventerous.
With this software running on your phone, you can use your laptop anywhere. Your cellphone provides both the local WiFi connectivity and the cellular data backbone. However, it may violate your terms of service from your cellular provider.
- Verizon states: “The Unlimited plans cannot be used: (1) for any applications that tether the device to laptops, PCs, or other equipment for any purpose.”
- AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon all offer separate wireless data plans that specifically allow you to tether your cell phone to your laptop. T-Mobile’s Total Internet plan, currently $39.99, doesn’t exclude tethering, which makes it a pretty good deal.
- AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint all have monthly caps on their Internet plans that allow tethering. AT&T charges $65 for data plus tethering with a 5GB cap. Verizon charges $59.99 for the same 5GB cap and $39.99 for a 50MB cap. Sprint’s offering is $59.99 with a 5GB cap.
If your laptop has built-in Bluetooth, you will probably only need a connection utility from your carrier. You may not even need that if the Bluetooth software on your laptop knows how to recognize and configure a Bluetooth modem, says PC World.
To make a connection, launch the Bluetooth utility on your phone. On your laptop, open the Bluetooth Devices control panel. Select the Add button and follow the Add Bluetooth Device wizard. The wizard will pair your phone with your laptop and make it available to any connection utility as a modem.
Lastly, Intel’s new initiative My WiFi turns a notebook into a personal hotspot for local devices. It allows users to connect to a camera, printer, digital photo frame, or personal media player – using your laptop’s broadband connection to the Internet.
