Tethering Notebook and Tablet to Android Phone?

[CurseTheSky]

I currently have a Droid X with the normal data plan, but no tethering plan. Despite there being free options out there, I will most likely be adding a $20 / month, 2GB / month tethering plan to use for business purposes.

I have a few quick questions if anyone can answer them:

1. Is the $20 / month tethering plan a contract (like their 3G, USB modems which lock you in for two years), or can I call up at cancel it at any time?

2. With their plan, will I need to install any software on my computer to tether the phone and use the 3G connection, or is it all on the phone and the computer will automatically be able to interface with it? Using Windows 7.

3. Using Verizon's tethering method, can I only tether via USB, or can I tether via WiFi? If so, is it phone dependent? I may consider picking up a different phone in the near future.

4. Is there any way I can tether a Honeycomb tablet? I'm considering buying the ASUS Transformer and would love to be able to tether either my notebook or my tablet, depending on which I have with me. I won't hold out for a 3G version if I can simply tether it to my smartphone.

Thanks!

 

[vshah]

1. i have a mifi from verizon and it is month to month, no contract. i bought the device myself. if you're adding the tethering option on to an existing plan it should be month to month as well.

2. you don't need to install any software for usb tethering. just plug it in, enable tethering in the phone settings, and windows will recognize it as a network device.

3. you should be able to tether via usb or wifi with any recent android phone

4. yes, you can tether the tablet to the phone via wifi.

 

[dguy6789]

2. you don't need to install any software for usb tethering. just plug it in, enable tethering in the phone settings, and windows will recognize it as a network device.

Are you sure about that? I know that option exists on vanilla Android phones but Verizon took that option out completely. When you tether with a Verizon phone, you open a Verizon installed app usually called Wifi Tether or Hotspot. I've never used them so I don't know if they have a USB tether option.

 

[CurseTheSky]

I don't really care about USB tethering; WiFi tethering would be much better for me. However, I'd prefer not to have to install anything on my computer.

If I don't, what would that mean in terms of the computer interfacing with it? Would the phone just show up under the list of available wireless networks? That would be ideal.

 

[vshah]

if all you want is wifi, then yes. On the phone, you set up the hotspot name and security settings. then you just scan for available networks on the computer/tablet, and connect to it as you would a regular network.

one thing to note: battery life on the phone can be severely reduced if you are tethering over wifi. With a lot if net activity, sometimes the battery will drain slowly even if it is charging via USB. You may have to charge via the wall adapter to keep the battery from draining.

 

[Patranus]

You have to watch out, carriers are cracking down on unauthorized tethering.

 

[CurseTheSky]

You have to watch out, carriers are cracking down on unauthorized tethering.

I'm not interested in unauthorized tethering - I want to get the $20 / month contract and do it the right way. As long as I can legally do all of the things described above, I'll be happy.

So, I should be able to turn my phone into a hotspot and WiFi tether multiple devices at once? That sounds great. Christ, I'll run down to Verizon and get it done today.

 

[vshah]

I'm not interested in unauthorized tethering - I want to get the $20 / month contract and do it the right way. As long as I can legally do all of the things described above, I'll be happy.

So, I should be able to turn my phone into a hotspot and WiFi tether multiple devices at once? That sounds great. Christ, I'll run down to Verizon and get it done today.

yup, enjoy . just remember to confirm with them that it is indeed month to month