[Kyle Matthews]

We first showed you PdaNet back in September, and since then they've done quite a bit of work on it (including changing from free to $29 ).

I gotta admit though, despite being $29, this is by far the best tethering app out there for iPhone: and 1.50+ now adds USB tethering support for Windows users. And it works like a charm. Mac guys - sucks to be us about now. Here's the word from the guys:

In terms of USB connection the Mac platform and Windows platform are quite different. We do not have any development plan as of now but would want to get to it eventually.

You can charge while using USB still, and here's the full list of features:

• You will get FULL Internet access on the computer! (Instead of only applications that support Socks proxy.) In technical terms, all applications make direct TCP/IP connections to the server. Since there is no proxy involved, that also means less problems and less delays.
• VPN connections are supported on the computer.
• You don't need to configure anything on the computer end whenever you connect PdaNet. No proxy settings, no extra software installation, no messing with static IP assignment, no switching settings back and forth when going back to your home's WiFi router.
• Yes it will connect at 3G speed if your phone has the coverage.Feedback from our users shows pretty fast speed even for the 2G version.
• Supports PC, MAC, Linux or anything (include other PDA/phones) that connects to a WiFi router.
• PdaNet runs in the background so you can still use other iPhone features when PdaNet is connected. But when you are done with them, go back to PdaNet to prevent the phone from entering idle and drops your connection.
• PdaNet has a built-in "insomnia" feature so you can turn off the phone when PdaNet is in the foreground and it won't drop your active connection. This will conserve battery.
• It is recommended that you charge the phone at the same time while using PdaNet because both WiFi and 3G will be put on full speed, both consume a lot of juice.

Check it out now on the MMi repo in Cydia.

[Poseidon79]

I'm still back on 1.4 but I have a Mac so the USB doesn't help. All in all this app totally rocks! The 3G browsing speed is amazingly fast!

[fletch33]

well USB would be nice but having to use windows is a sacrifice i am not willing to make

wonder if i could connect it to my windows virtual machine in os x?

UPDATE: well you can use it on windows in your virtual machine on OS X but as you would assume it only connects for you to use your windows online. since my XP uses my OS X connection it makes me wonder if ti would be possible to reverse that and allow me to connect with XP but then bridge that connection to my OS X side. well i may have to look into that but this is definitely a great product.

[LYRICALDETOX]

so what is the purpose of this app?

[ahab228]

why purchase an app like this when AT&T is about to release official tethering soon with USB support for both mac and PC

[x2thaz64]

Originally Posted by ahab228

why purchase an app like this when AT&T is about to release official tethering soon with USB support for both mac and PC

because att will likely charge extra for this feature

[fcpoage]

This app is good because the ATT tethering plan will cost an additional monthly fee according to the news, whereas this app has a one-time fee. By the way, I am typing this from my HP laptop using PDAnet USB modem (trial period) on the edge network. It works flawlessly for me. Had some trouble with the first release, but the update today fixed the problem. I am using Firefox with flashblocker, script blocker, and an adblocker addons, and the pages seem to load fairly quickly. I will most likely purchase this app (unless ATT plans on letting me tether for free!)

[diem0n]

I would buy it if developers tell us all that at&t will never find out and prosecute for ILLEGAL tethering of their network instead of using legal method coming soon. Otherwise it will be same as buying narcs and to have a chance to be cought and prosecuted. What am I paying for?

[Kyle Matthews]

The high?



Its not up to developers to tell you AT&T policy - its up to you to decide if you want to use your iPhone data on your laptop with this tethering app.

[spudman01]

the way i figure it, i am paying for unlimited internet on my iphone. who is att to judge me how to use it? if i want to hook it up to an ipod touch i can cause im paying UNLIMITED internet!!

[Bernie-Mac]

Originally Posted by spudman01

the way i figure it, i am paying for unlimited internet on my iphone. who is att to judge me how to use it? if i want to hook it up to an ipod touch i can cause im paying UNLIMITED internet!!

When you read the fine print and see that "unlimited" is really 5GB a month, you'll see att is able to judge how you use it.

[s4mb4]

the other issue to consider is that AT&T's tethering plan, (if it ever is released) will most likely use 'Connection Manager'. That piece of software is horrible. While it makes it easy, it is a resource hog. On my dual core Intel 2.4 Ghz laptop with 3 GB of ram, Connection Manager takes almost 45 seconds to load.

[jrentzke]

Mac guys can always use it on the bootcamp partition for now.

[elnekis]

here in my country there is no regulation against tethering your phone using edge or 3G, although on 3G you have a 3gig limit. I will definitely consider buying this app if you travel a lot or if you are blocked @work.

[dkaye]

I downloaded the 1.50 update yesterday and could not get the USB option to function - was unable to check the option to use the USB connection. I was able to still use the ad hoc network tho.

Last night, they released 1.51 - which corrected that problem. Very simple to use, but I did note it was a little sluggish in the connection speed as compared to using previously via the ad hoc connection. Probably just a fluke, but plan to test some more.