Smartphone Tethering

[chaser]

Hey guys I gotta question that I know someone here will know the answer to.

I have an HTC Inspire through AT&T that I'm thinking about enabling the tethering on. I only need it for a couple months or I would just buy an aircard for my laptop. I can't justify spending $50/month for 2 years when I only need mobile internet for 2 months. I've searched the internet and can't find a definitive answer (though its quite possible I'm just missing it, pulled an all nighter bowling last night so I'm kinda )

My question is, when the phone is tethered to a laptop can I still talk and text on it? I had a Samsung slider that wouldn't let me talk or text when it was tethered. Just curious if smartphones were capable of this.

[Estes]

I have the same phone, I haven't tethered with it (no need anymore), but my old Samsung BlackJack I tethered quite often and was able to talk/text at the same time. I do recall an issue with  the internet dropping out occasionally while talking and tethering, however that was an older phone and they may have improved in that area since then.

[Maverick]

In all seriousness, call ATT and ask them about it. You may need a special cable or a specific adapter for the computer to use it like a wifi signal. Also check to see if that will change the data plan. IIRC Verizon charges a different rate for that kind of set up vs just using the internet on the phone. You don't want to get hit with some heavy fees if they do charge differently.

[NOT]

Download an app called "Easy Tether". It will do what you need




NOT

[rpm]

edit: nm, it only works with Motorola 

[sluggish]

AT&T is the only provider that will allow you to use your data and talk connection at the same time.

[sluggish]

And don't steal like RPM.

[rpm]

It's not stealing. I paid for unlimited data. 

[sluggish]

AT&T doesn't have an unlimited data plan.  And...  Hotspot is a $30 feature.  Using a third party app to bypass their charge is most definitely stealing.

[EskimoJoe]

AT&T doesn't have an unlimited data plan.  And...  Hotspot is a $30 feature.  Using a third party app to bypass their charge is most definitely stealing.

Is it really stealing if you're taking something that ought to be free? Playing devil's advocate here.

[rpm]

AT&T doesn't have an unlimited data plan. 

They did until about a year ago. $19.99 a month.

[sluggish]

I can't help you.

[Shuffler]

You have to pay for it through AT&T.

If your going to be mobil but close to wifi just get a plugin wifi if your lappy doesn't have wifi.

[flight17]

AT&T doesn't have an unlimited data plan.  And...  Hotspot is a $30 feature.  Using a third party app to bypass their charge is most definitely stealing.

ATT had it previously as did Verizon. Verizon dropped it right when they introduced the Iphone. However, both carriers grandfathered everyone in that already had unlimited data when they discontinued it.

[Ardy123]

And don't steal like RPM.

Although he may be violating his agreement with the carrier, he is using the data network he is paying for. If he uses more than his account limit, then he still gets charged. Many carriers offered free 'tethering apps' until the realized they could charge double for the same service.