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Tethering Apps Being Banned From Android Market
So uh, this is what an open handset and network look like?
According to developers, applications that allow tethering for Andriod-OS-based phones are being pulled from the Android Market for violating the Developer Distribution Agreement. That seems to run contrary to earlier comments by T-Mobile suggesting they wouldn't really care about tethering applications, and of course runs contrary to Google's claim of an "open" handset development system. This isn't that big of a deal, since users can still avoid the Android Store and install tethering apps on their own -- but the move does seem strange -- especially considering Google and company had been leaving the apps alone up until this point. Maybe T-Mobile had a change of heart, or perhaps Google lawyers are just worried about T-Mobile contract technicalities? Either way, banning useful applications doesn't seem very "open."
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ninjatutle
Premium
join:2006-01-02
San Ramon, CA

ninjatutle

Member

ha

So much for the android being the savior..

DataRiker
Premium Member
join:2002-05-19
00000

DataRiker

Premium Member

Re: ha

well, this is really a non issue since users can install any app they want as long as they do it themselves.
rmdir
join:2003-03-13
Chicago, IL

rmdir

Member

Re: ha

It's still pretty annoying. I was truly looking forward to the day when I'd be out of my contract with V* later this year, but after researching things like the lack of VOIP last night, and now this, I've pretty much given up on TMO having a desirable product. This smacks too much of the things I've already had to do with my V account. If I'm going to have to hack my phone, there's not much incentive to dump Verizon for a different carrier.

tiger72
SexaT duorP
Premium Member
join:2001-03-28
Saint Louis, MO

tiger72

Premium Member

Re: ha

said by rmdir:

It's still pretty annoying. I was truly looking forward to the day when I'd be out of my contract with V* later this year, but after researching things like the lack of VOIP last night, and now this, I've pretty much given up on TMO having a desirable product. This smacks too much of the things I've already had to do with my V account. If I'm going to have to hack my phone, there's not much incentive to dump Verizon for a different carrier.
how is going to a website to manually download an apk "hacking your phone"? This aint an iphone, or a VZW stripped-down OS.

To get any of those tethering apps, all you need to do is find the installer and download it.
rmdir
join:2003-03-13
Chicago, IL

rmdir

Member

Re: ha

I don't mean hacking in the typical sense, I should have said attempting to use it in an unofficially sanctioned way. Instead of being the knight in shining armor, they are turning into another Apple with the IPhone. And they haven't looked at how Apple's hard line hasn't stopped people, it just pisses them off instead.

adisor19
join:2004-10-11

adisor19

Member

Re: ha

said by rmdir:

I don't mean hacking in the typical sense, I should have said attempting to use it in an unofficially sanctioned way. Instead of being the knight in shining armor, they are turning into another Apple with the IPhone. And they haven't looked at how Apple's hard line hasn't stopped people, it just pisses them off instead.
This is NOT an unofficially sanctioned way. Jailbraking an iPhone IS an unofficially sanctioned way but this is completely normal and official. Choose your words wisely as it sometimes results in the spreading of FUD.

Adi

N3OGH
Yo Soy Col. "Bat" Guano
Premium Member
join:2003-11-11
Philly burbs

N3OGH to ninjatutle

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to ninjatutle
Besides, tether it to what? T-mobile's molasses slow data network.

May as well Scotch tape a piece of string and a can to your USB port, I hear the downstream speeds are better...
JBT
Premium Member
join:2002-12-06
Odessa, FL

JBT

Premium Member

Re: ha

Your right their edge network is very slow.
Coming from a t mobile BB user here.
I don't tether often but it is a bare when I have to... Usable sorta enjoyable no.

ArrayList
DevOps
Premium Member
join:2005-03-19
Mullica Hill, NJ

ArrayList to N3OGH

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to N3OGH
i live in the suburbs and I get about 750 Kbit/s on my g1 and about 300 Kbit/s upstream. its enough for the g1 to work like its supposed to. I keep my phone on edge most of the time anyways (saves on battery life). I have tethered to my laptop when I'm out and don't have wifi access before too. its good enough to do business while comuting too.

tiger72
SexaT duorP
Premium Member
join:2001-03-28
Saint Louis, MO

1 edit

tiger72 to N3OGH

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to N3OGH
My power went out a few days ago when I was planning on working from home. My job is entirely web-centric. I have a laptop, but losing power meant losing my dsl connection. So I tethered my laptop to my G1 (VERY easy) and simply used the EDGE network, and I must say that it was more than sufficient for me to get my work done. Tethering to my TMO phone on EDGE saved my ass.

N3OGH
Yo Soy Col. "Bat" Guano
Premium Member
join:2003-11-11
Philly burbs

N3OGH

Premium Member

Re: ha

FYI it might be a good idea to pick up a fairly robust UPS for just such a situation. I keep my DSL modem and wireless router behind a UPS and it rand for hours during our last power outage.

Might not be a bad idea, depending on how often your power goes out. I bought all of it when I was using VoIP to keep my voice communications up during outages. I'm back on POTS now, but I still have the equipment.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

Re: ha

said by N3OGH:

FYI it might be a good idea to pick up a fairly robust UPS for just such a situation. I keep my DSL modem and wireless router behind a UPS and it rand for hours during our last power outage.

Might not be a bad idea, depending on how often your power goes out. I bought all of it when I was using VoIP to keep my voice communications up during outages. I'm back on POTS now, but I still have the equipment.
Good idea. I keep my cable modem & wireless router behind an UPS and that can let me use my laptop for about 3 or 4 hrs with power down.
patcat88
join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY

patcat88

Member

Re: ha

said by FFH5:

Good idea. I keep my cable modem & wireless router behind an UPS and that can let me use my laptop for about 3 or 4 hrs with power down.
Not when the cable HFC power injectors' batteries last 0-10 minutes since they are 2 decades old, or were stolen to be used in cars and motorcycles.

ropeguru
Premium Member
join:2001-01-25
Mechanicsville, VA

1 recommendation

ropeguru

Premium Member

Re: ha

said by patcat88:

said by FFH5:

Good idea. I keep my cable modem & wireless router behind an UPS and that can let me use my laptop for about 3 or 4 hrs with power down.
Not when the cable HFC power injectors' batteries last 0-10 minutes since they are 2 decades old, or were stolen to be used in cars and motorcycles.
Maybe in your area but not mine...

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5 to patcat88

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to patcat88
said by patcat88:
said by FFH5:

Good idea. I keep my cable modem & wireless router behind an UPS and that can let me use my laptop for about 3 or 4 hrs with power down.
Not when the cable HFC power injectors' batteries last 0-10 minutes since they are 2 decades old, or were stolen to be used in cars and motorcycles.
During power outages, the cable infrastructure in my area continued to work.

tiger72
SexaT duorP
Premium Member
join:2001-03-28
Saint Louis, MO

tiger72 to N3OGH

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to N3OGH
said by N3OGH:

FYI it might be a good idea to pick up a fairly robust UPS for just such a situation. I keep my DSL modem and wireless router behind a UPS and it rand for hours during our last power outage.

Might not be a bad idea, depending on how often your power goes out. I bought all of it when I was using VoIP to keep my voice communications up during outages. I'm back on POTS now, but I still have the equipment.
I've never lived in a town where power outages happen on sunny days with no notice or reason. I may just have to invest in a UPS =\
said by k1ll3rdr4g0n:
said by ninjatutle:

So much for the android being the savior..
We both know it was only a matter of time. Any service managed by a group of people who believe their sole purpose in life is to line their pockets with your money is bound to be a few "bumps". Yet another win for Windows Mobile, no kill switch, and completely customizable. What else do you need?
Are you even reading?
There's no kill switch on tethering apps. They're not killing the apps. They're just removing them from the market for violating the TOS. You can install them without the market very easily. Again, this aint the iPhone. You don't need to have root to install apps. You don't need anything special. I have the tethering app sitting on my phone right now. Essentially, this is NO DIFFERENT than installing an app on your winmo phone. You get the executable and install. Period.
Is that clear enough?
I mean I am all for a open source phone OS, but that is all it should be - if there is money to be made (such as through a "market place") you bet your bottom dollar that the honest customer will be the one to get hurt. We need a third party market place that isn't run by anyone with "interests" with the (I)SP or OS developer for the iPhone, Windows Mobile, and the G1...
Again, this aint the iPhone. You don't NEED a marketplace for the G1 to install apps. Find the executable (apk) and install. JUST. LIKE. WINMO.

Just like there are websites like getjar for the java files for dumbphones/featurephones, Android has a number of sites like »www.androidfreeware.org/ that have the apks available for download.

ptrowski
Got Helix?
Premium Member
join:2005-03-14
Woodstock, CT

ptrowski

Premium Member

Re: ha

Have you ever lived in Florida? I used to have power outages on sunny days all the time when the DOT would dig first, look for obstacles second.

adisor19
join:2004-10-11

adisor19 to N3OGH

Member

to N3OGH
If you have t-mobile 3G coverage you wouldn't say that. By the sounds of it, you're probably using EDGE.

Adi

biggbrother
Premium Member
join:2001-11-07
Providence, RI

biggbrother to ninjatutle

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to ninjatutle
From a business standpoint... I can understand how T-Mobile would want to try to limit people from using their network as a replacement for the cable of DSL ISP.

However, since Android is open-source, these tethering apps are easily available from reputable Market alternatives.
k1ll3rdr4g0n
join:2005-03-19
Homer Glen, IL

k1ll3rdr4g0n to ninjatutle

Member

to ninjatutle
said by ninjatutle:

So much for the android being the savior..
We both know it was only a matter of time. Any service managed by a group of people who believe their sole purpose in life is to line their pockets with your money is bound to be a few "bumps". Yet another win for Windows Mobile, no kill switch, and completely customizable. What else do you need?

I mean I am all for a open source phone OS, but that is all it should be - if there is money to be made (such as through a "market place") you bet your bottom dollar that the honest customer will be the one to get hurt. We need a third party market place that isn't run by anyone with "interests" with the (I)SP or OS developer for the iPhone, Windows Mobile, and the G1. This way the company can be neutral and they must have the balls to tell the (I)SPs to eff off if they want a piece of software to be removed...simply because its none of their business (even if it violates the TOS - its not the retailer to make sure the customer follows the TOS, its the (I)SP).

ArrayList
DevOps
Premium Member
join:2005-03-19
Mullica Hill, NJ

ArrayList

Premium Member

wtf tmobile?!

wow. and to imagine that I was hoping that android would do well. you can't restrict innovation. if you do you will smother it. jackasses.
hottboiinnc4
ME
join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH

hottboiinnc4

Member

Re: wtf tmobile?!

it hasnt been said if this was a TMO move or Google. But Google is the ones that are removing the apps from the store.

ArrayList
DevOps
Premium Member
join:2005-03-19
Mullica Hill, NJ

ArrayList

Premium Member

Re: wtf tmobile?!

ah. good point. i guess that I shouldn't have thought that google was above such a low blow.

cdru
Go Colts
MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN

cdru to ArrayList

MVM

to ArrayList
said by ArrayList:

you can't restrict innovation. if you do you will smother it.
Yeah, because Apple/AT&T has never attempted to smother apps from their app store. That's hurt the iPhone's popularity quite a bit.

Yes you can jail break your iPhone and get it to run what ever you want. But this isn't even at that point. You can still install whatever you want. It's just not on the official app marketplace anymore (for whatever reason).

ArrayList
DevOps
Premium Member
join:2005-03-19
Mullica Hill, NJ

ArrayList

Premium Member

Re: wtf tmobile?!

yea but i can't see average joe/jane figuring out that you can install stuff other than the stuff in the marketplace. i don't know for sure what the long term vision is of Android, but I would like to see it become semi-mainstream (in every aspect). what would be sweet is if someone made an app called the "Black (Android) Market" and hosted all the "banned" apps on there.

cdru
Go Colts
MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN

cdru

MVM

Re: wtf tmobile?!

said by ArrayList:

yea but i can't see average joe/jane figuring out that you can install stuff other than the stuff in the marketplace.
Being an average Joe/Jane hasn't stopped many from jailbreaking their iPhones. If they don't possess the skills themselves, they will just ask a friend that does. I just got my G1 yesterday so I took the liberty of installing PDANet for Android on my phone. It took less then 3 minutes start to finish to use my computer tethered and all it took is about a dozen clicks either on my computer or on the phone. If you have trouble doing that, you probably have trouble using the phone to begin with.
i don't know for sure what the long term vision is of Android, but I would like to see it become semi-mainstream (in every aspect). what would be sweet is if someone made an app called the "Black (Android) Market" and hosted all the "banned" apps on there.
There isn't a huge need for it. Sites I'm sure will pop up, but they will be more like the "shareware" sites for PCs. It won't be just for "banned" apps.

The whole deal is analogous to Microsoft having a "Windows Compatible" marketplace where softwhere developers can showcase their wares, but Microsoft gets the final say on if they allow a particular piece of software to be shown. If they don't allow it, it doesn't mean that the developer can't release it, it just means that they can't show it on Microsoft's app website. How many Windows applications do you get directly from your OS provider or a site directly sponsored by that that provider? None. You get Firefox from GetFirefox.com, you get iTunes from Apple, so on and so forth.
AVonGauss
Premium Member
join:2007-11-01
Boynton Beach, FL

AVonGauss

Premium Member

Other Carriers

I have no idea why they are pulling the tethering apps, but I do want to point out that T-Mobile is no longer the only carrier involved with Android and others may also be exerting their own influences and concerns.

tiger72
SexaT duorP
Premium Member
join:2001-03-28
Saint Louis, MO

tiger72

Premium Member

Re: Other Carriers

said by AVonGauss:

I have no idea why they are pulling the tethering apps, but I do want to point out that T-Mobile is no longer the only carrier involved with Android and others may also be exerting their own influences and concerns.
VERY good point.
I just checked, and Vodafone, Singtel, o2, TMO, etc ALL have no-tethering clauses in their TOS for phone broadband.
hottboiinnc4
ME
join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH

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to AVonGauss
T-Mobile is the only Android carrier (currently) in the US though.
AVonGauss
Premium Member
join:2007-11-01
Boynton Beach, FL

AVonGauss

Premium Member

Re: Other Carriers

At this exact moment and time, that is true, but right now there are also non-US carriers.

tiger72
SexaT duorP
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join:2001-03-28
Saint Louis, MO

tiger72 to hottboiinnc4

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to hottboiinnc4
said by hottboiinnc4:

T-Mobile is the only Android carrier (currently) in the US though.
The Android Market is open worldwide. So that is irrelevant.
hottboiinnc4
ME
join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH

hottboiinnc4

Member

Re: Other Carriers

it is open world wide but only one carrier in the United States. So your comment is irrelevant.

imanogre
join:2005-11-29
Smyrna, GA

imanogre

Member

DL App

Anyone know of a good tethering app I can download for mine?

TomClancy
Freedom Isn't Free
join:2003-04-23
...

TomClancy

Member

hmmm...

I guess I'll be sticking with S60 for now.

hayabusa3303
Over 200 mph
Premium Member
join:2005-06-29
Florence, SC

hayabusa3303

Premium Member

So much for a open handset.

EPIC FAIL.

••••••
compton
join:2002-02-08
Brooklyn, NY

compton

Member

Hmmm!

My guess is T-Mobile asked them to pull it. The data plan on the G1 has no limit (as I recall) or at least they don't enforce a bandwidth usage limit, and it's $39.99 per month. If I buy a data stick for my laptop it's $59.99 per month and 5 GB bandwidth usage limit per month. Now you can see why T-Mobile wouldn't want tethering software on the Android market place.
AVonGauss
Premium Member
join:2007-11-01
Boynton Beach, FL

AVonGauss

Premium Member

Re: Hmmm!

T-Mobile does have a 10 GB throttle threshold that does apply to the G1.
InfinityDev
join:2005-06-30
USA

InfinityDev

Member

Google can pull the app remotely.

If push comes to shove, Google can remove the app remotely:

"Google may discover a product that violates the developer distribution agreement ... in such an instance, Google retains the right to remotely remove those applications from your device at its sole discretion"

»tinyurl.com/4ttrq2
hottboiinnc4
ME
join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH

hottboiinnc4

Member

Re: Google can pull the app remotely.

The same as their Google Voice's TOS says that nobody can leave you a voice mail on the system.

openupshop
join:2000-11-25
Chandler, AZ

openupshop

Member

Wanna Tether Your G1 Follow The Link ;)

»www.allshadow.com/2009/0 ··· ut-root/

technick
Premium Member
join:2000-12-16
Wheat Ridge, CO

technick

Premium Member

G1 Tether App

I've been using this application on my phone, haven't had any problems with it.

»code.google.com/p/androi ··· -tether/

Its for WIFI tethering but does require root.

some dude
@rr.com

some dude

Anon

gi tether

They just pulled it from the market, you can still go on google developer page and download the APK to your G! and your good to go.

still running on my phone, works great.

its just to make tmobile happy, but i never understood why they dont allow it, i mean you pay for the data why does it matter if you surf on a bigger screen "laptop".
TechWhiz
join:2004-10-30
Phoenix, AZ

TechWhiz

Member

Nice...

Oops! Unlimited 3G without a bandwidth cap for $25 a month on any device within the wifi radius of the phone? (A bunch of the tethering applications turn the device into a 3G hotspot).

Ya, removing them from the market just makes it so that users have use Google's other service (their search engine) to find and download the tethering apps.

VashTS
@verizon.com

VashTS

Anon

Man!

What happened to you Google. U changed man, U used to be cool!