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iTether app allows tethering even if your plan doesn't (Updated: Apple pulled it)

by Kelly Hodgkins Nov 29th 2011 at 9:35AM

Update: Despite Tether's assertions, Apple has pulled this app from the store.

Update #2: Tether confirmed in a blog post that Apple pulled its iTether app because it could place a burden on a carrier's network. It appears that iTether may be gone for good. Apple reportedly "offered us (Tether) no way to remedy the solution."

BlackBerry users may remember TetherBerry, an app that lets you share your BlackBerry's cellular Internet connection with a computer. It caused a storm because it was one of the first third-party apps with tethering functionality that actually worked. The company behind this app is now disrupting the iOS world with iTether, the iOS version of their tethering app.

The iOS app lets you share your cellular Internet connection with your laptop or desktop via USB (WiFi or Bluetooth is not supported). It requires you to run an app on your iPhone and a companion app on your PC. The two apps bridge the connection between the phone and the computer. It doesn't require you to jailbreak your device, so everyone with a computer, a USB cable and an iPhone can use it.

I've used both the BlackBerry and the Android version and they worked great. I haven't had the chance to use the iOS version because Tether's servers are down and I can't download the Mac software needed to get it to work.

The developers behind iTether told MacRumors that the app is in the iOS App Store with Apple's blessing. "We were very clear with Apple what our app did. They asked us a bunch of questions and then approved us." If you really want the app, you should grab it fast as it may disappear once carriers start to complain to Apple. If you buy the app, be aware that carriers could detect that you're using it and shut you down.

The app, iTether, is available for US$14.99 from the iOS App Store.

[Via 9to5Mac]



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Update: Despite Tether's assertions, Apple has pulled this app from the store. Update #2: Tether confirmed in a blog post that Apple...
 

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18 Comments

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Gus

I was forced to be paying $30 a month for the unlimited data plan since getting my 3gs 3 years ago.
In that time my average data usage per month has been 100mb because I'm on wifi at home, office, friends house, pub, etc. Now they have turned wifi off at work so my data jumped to 500mb last month. WOW! half a GB!
I am soooo angry I missed out on this app. I believe it's my data to use as I please. And, I want to point out to ATT that if I do find a workaround, my data contract from 3 years ago does not in ANY way mention tethering. I think they added that clause to later contracts when they realized the potential for abuse, or more likely, the revenue to be derived from charging extra for how the data is used.

November 30 2011 at 1:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Cowicide

The popularity of these tethering apps just goes to show how rotten legit phone service plans are in the USA.

November 29 2011 at 6:03 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jaycityatl

The fact that the carriers can lobby against this is really quite wrong. The argument about it being damaging to a carrier's network is bunk, especially when the data plans are all capped to begin with. Even further, they complain about this app, but allow streaming via netflix and other apps from the handset with no issue. So very frustrating....

November 29 2011 at 4:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
digitalsedition

Yep. In news that surprise no one, the app is gone...

November 29 2011 at 2:33 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
ran6110

Cool! I got mine before it was shut down and it works really, really well!!

Too bad ATT's greed stopped such a useful app! I alway resented paying so much to ATT for tethering when it's my phone and my cable and my data plan.

Anyway, I got mine, sorry some of you didn't!

November 29 2011 at 1:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
bjbjohnson

I'm guessing Ralph De La Vega caught wind of this and placed a call to Tim Cook's office this morning

November 29 2011 at 12:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tim M.

I can't download it, and it says the item is currently not available on the US store. Do you think they already pulled it off the store?

November 29 2011 at 12:15 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
kaulbr

Looks like it's already been pulled!

November 29 2011 at 12:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Andrew Weber

I think the app is down already. An error pops up, "Not available in the US".

November 29 2011 at 11:54 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ChrisM

The closest I've come to being able to download the PC client is about 50%. If it ever finishes I'll put it up and post a link. I guess they underestimated the response.

November 29 2011 at 11:53 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to ChrisM's comment
ran6110

Go check their twitter and Facebook feeds, they've made alternate servers available.

November 29 2011 at 1:11 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
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