Android 2.2 Does USB Tethering, Wi-Fi Hot Spot
Froyo promises to bring native USB tethering and Wi-Fi hotspot capabilities to Android devices.
The next version of Google's Android platform, codenamed Froyo, looks to kick Apple where it hurts. While we've already learned that v2.2 brings native Flash support, more memory, and apparently a huge 450-percent boost in overall performance (which 2.1 was supposed to offer but apparently did the opposite), the next spike in the groin is the platform's ability to not only provide native USB tethering support, but act as a portable Wi-Fi hotspot.
As for USB tethering, the feature is somewhat available through 3rd party applications. These comprise of free options available on the Market, typically locking out support for secure connections (https) and forcing users to deal with the limits, or to upgrade to the paid version. The apps range in price from $9.95 to $23.95, and work rather well in getting the PC to recognize and use an Android-based phone as a wireless modem.
But the big shocker here is the ability to use an Android-based device as a Wi-Fi hotspot. At the moment it's unknown if this feature will allow for more than one connected device--Verizon's own pocket-sized MiFi Portable device allows up to five connections at one time. It will also be interesting to see if Verizon will actually allow the hotspot feature for its Android-based phones--there's a good chance the company will block Wi-Fi tethering, as it would obviously compete with its pricey MiFi device.
Will this next OS update put a hurt on Apple's iPhone? If anything, it will help bring the OS up to speed. Apple already inserted tethering into the iPhone OS last year, however AT&T has delayed the feature's official launch since (at least) September 2009, citing network upgrades. In the meantime, Google is expected to reveal the full specifics of Android v2.2 next week at the company's Google I/O conference in San Francisco. We look forward to Froyo's other hidden secrets.
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Does anyone else have the urge to pronounce the codename as Frodo or is that just me?
These are nice features but it will all depends if the carriers decide to provide the upgrade or not ... that's so sad ..
Cyanogen offers these features now
I don't think Verizon will block the Hotspot feature. They pimp it on the Pre and Pixie, and it will drive more business their way...and more importantly away from Apple/AT&T.
I am not sure if I would be disappointed if Verizon decided to limit/charge for the tethering/hotspot feature. Nothing would murder their network (or any network) like every android owner out there offering free wifi to themselves and nearby buddies. Cap it, charge for it, whatever, just make sure the turbojerks aren't making the 3g network slow for all the rest of us responsible customers.
Why do networks have any say in what your phone can or can't do? It's stupid to restrict your customers' phone features...
I'm curious to see what they'll do. They made the two Palm devices' WiFi hotspot function free but then Palm doesn't hold near the market share Android does.
Kick Apple where it hurts by rolling out a feature that Apple rolled out last summer? Uh, ouch I guess? I guess technically it is a feature that iPhone owners won't have because of AT&T but that isn't exactly the fault of Apple. I mean, when the tethering features for iPhone 3.0 were announced we didn't know we would never get them. What is to say Verizon doesn't say "thanks but no thanks" to tethering? We already know what AT&T is going to say.
Froyo looks awesome though. I'm just waiting on a solid Android phone to hit Sprint so I can bail from my Bold and AT&T and jump on their $29 data only plan.
What about tethering over Bluetooth?
I have USB tethering and Bluetooth tethering now with my (otherwise disappointing) WinMo 6.1 phone on AT&T. I can do work while riding the bus to work without needing to fumble with a cable (love it).
Lack of tethering has kept me from going iPhone or Android. Now I'm getting interested...
Please stop flashing that 450% performance number without some background info. That number is so misleading. Taken straight from the original article: "While real-life improvements will most certainly not be 450% across the board, we still expect the N1 [Nexus One] and even Flash to benefit from JIT because, as other programs become more efficient, more CPU will be available to such natively compiled programs."
They do go on to say, though: "Oh yeah, the phone is indeed noticeably faster."
http://www.androidpolice.com/2010/ [...] 50-faster/
What about tethering over Bluetooth?
Lack of tethering has kept me from going iPhone or Android. Now I'm getting interested...
Android already has bluetooth tethering. You need an app (free, PDAnet) though.
you know verizon isnt going to allow the droid to be USB tethered or be a Wi-Fi hotspot without charging you an arm and a leg for doing so, i think they allready have a USB Tethered price plan for like 30$ or 40$ a month
I already have wireless tethering.....rooted droid ftw.
I don't think Verizon will block the Hotspot feature. They pimp it on the Pre and Pixie, and it will drive more business their way...and more importantly away from Apple/AT&T.
I bet they will block it. I'm pretty sure this was the REAL reason the Nexus1 never made it onto Verizons network! Google didn't want Verizon to cripple their showcase phone, and Verizon didn't want to give up their lucrative upcharging revenue... So neither side would budge, and no nexus for the Verizonites.
As a comparison, Verizon also blocks WinMo6+ from doing this natively so they can sell it as a monthly service instead.
you know verizon isnt going to allow the droid to be USB tethered or be a Wi-Fi hotspot without charging you an arm and a leg for doing so, i think they allready have a USB Tethered price plan for like 30$ or 40$ a month
Yup. Like I said, this is the REAL reason the Nexus1 didnt get on verizon's network.
Mmmm, my Android phone has Flash inbuilt, I thought it was native to be honest, since I saw no flash app, no flash install or anything, it just came with my phone!
That's flash lite...flash 10.1 will be brought to light with frodo...I mean froyo...
Umm the people thinking about Verizon "blocking" tethering need to realize Android doesn't play well with locks. And while you need to wait for your phone producer to roll out an "official" Android 2.2 upgrade, you can always root / flash one of the many custom kit's out there. Since Android is open source many custom kit makers will roll it up into their distribution. About the only thing you loose with custom kitting is any special apps your phone producer made themselves.
I am not sure if I would be disappointed if Verizon decided to limit/charge for the tethering/hotspot feature. Nothing would murder their network (or any network) like every android owner out there offering free wifi to themselves and nearby buddies. Cap it, charge for it, whatever, just make sure the turbojerks aren't making the 3g network slow for all the rest of us responsible customers.
Refraining from the use of a mobile device feature, does not make you responsible. Paying your mortgage, disciplining your children, and not taking "mental health days" off from work makes you responsible.
I hope they fully enable wifi tethering. I was going to switch from att to verizon in a couple months, anyway. With the release of android, I'm even more inclined.
USB tethering?
Now that's cool. Bluetooth is too low bandwidth.
*happy dance*
now I have to wait for it to release, then for it to release on Verizon....
*stumble, trip*
Umm the people thinking about Verizon "blocking" tethering need to realize Android doesn't play well with locks. And while you need to wait for your phone producer to roll out an "official" Android 2.2 upgrade, you can always root / flash one of the many custom kit's out there. Since Android is open source many custom kit makers will roll it up into their distribution. About the only thing you loose with custom kitting is any special apps your phone producer made themselves.
That doesn't mean Verizon won't block it for stock units. My phone with Verizon is running a completely different OS than it started with and it is all unlocked. You can jailbreak almost anything, but they certainly won't sell it that way.
USB tethering?Now that's cool. Bluetooth is too low bandwidth.
At least for AT&T on the West coast, Bluetooth isn't the bottleneck. The real-world performance of their 3G network is.
I'd expect future improvements to cell networks to surpass Bluetooth 2.1 speeds but then again hopefully we'll have more equipment with Bluetooth 3.0 speeds by then.
Does anyone else have the urge to pronounce the codename as Frodo or is that just me?
now i cant stop calling it Frodo