iOS 4.3 Transfers GPS Data to Tethered iOS Devices

[Matt Savoca]

Among the most exciting features of this month's iOS 4.3 software update was the addition of the personal hotspot feature. This allows users to tether their devices to the 3G connection of their iPhone. Many users are reporting however, that when an iPad running iOS 4.3 is tethered to an iPhone, the iPhone also transmits its GPS coordinates. This allows iPod Touches, and Wi-Fi only iPad models (which do not have GPS built-in) to function almost identically to the 3G-equipped model.

Using an iPhone as a personal hotspot, although a new feature for GSM phones, was introduced in iOS 4.2.6 (the current software for the CDMA iPhone 4) jailbroken iDevices have been able to tether for a quite a while using popular tethering apps such as MyWi. Although GPS tethering is a welcomed new additional feature, so that users' Wi-Fi iPads or iPod Touches can have nearly identical internet and geographical capabilities of the iPhone or 3G iPad.

It should be noted that in order for GPS tethering to work, the iPhone must be running iOS 4.3, as must the iPad or iPod touch. That means GPS tethering will not work with older iDevices, or devices that have not updated to the latest software.

We have also confirmed with Intelliborn, the makers of MyWi, that GPS tethering also works via their software, so long as the devices in use are all on iOS 4.3. There is a small downside, the GPS coordinates do have some lag time, around sixty seconds under normal conditions. Regardless, this seems like an great new feature that enhances an already exciting software addition in iOS 4.3

Source:
GadgetVenture
Intelliborn

[mortopher]

Damn, that lag time is a deal killer! Otherwise this would be more than enough of a reason for me to jump into the 4.3 tethered jb waters.

[Goof]

pretty cool, I don't know what the point of this is but cool never the less.

[delusion950]

^^ +1

[brianlg]

does 4.3 allow unlimited tethering w/ an unlimited plan? or is there a limit?

[delusion950]

does 4.3 allow unlimited tethering w/ an unlimited plan? or is there a limit?

I wonder if it could...hm.....

[Assassination]

Why can't it connect to GAME SYSTEMS?!! HELP! no side questions!

[mortopher]

pretty cool, I don't know what the point of this is but cool never the less.

Well, if it could have a real-time gps sync, I could use Navigon on my wifi iPad and take advantage of it's much larger screen.

[GenesisDH]

Why can't it connect to GAME SYSTEMS?!! HELP! no side questions!

Last I checked the 4.2.6+ compatible version of MyWi for i4 as well as the official tethering over wifi should work for most newer game systems.

I know PSP & PS3 like to be connected to an infrastructure mode wifi signal (such as what you get from a wireless router). I wouldn't be surprised that most other game systems require this as well.
4.3 enabled infrastructure mode for wifi on GSM i4, and I believe the VZW i4 already came with it in place.

Now if your system can't support WPA2-Personal security, then you're SOL because official iPhone Hotspot setups only use WPA2-Personal for security from my research. MyWi might be able to change that, though.

[FoneWeasel]

does 4.3 allow unlimited tethering w/ an unlimited plan? or is there a limit?

Nope. You have to pay for a tethering plan in addition to your data plan on your phone already and the tethering plan includes a set amount of data with a price per MB if you go over. Same deal for both Verizon and AT&T although the prices differ a bit.

[alexevo]

Damn, that lag time is a deal killer! Otherwise this would be more than enough of a reason for me to jump into the 4.3 tethered jb waters.

haha +1 for real. i could get pretty damn lost in 1 minute.

[z3r01]

I haz 4.3 and running MyWi and I haven't noticed the gps coordinates update on the map :-(

[trek-life]

Damn, that lag time kills it

[alexevo]

Why can't it connect to GAME SYSTEMS?!! HELP! no side questions!

so you're one of those a-holes jamming up the cell towers trying to play black ops on your ps3 through mywi. i hope at&t finds you and bills the sh*t out of you!

i don't care if you were grandfathered in with your unlimited data like i was. that's just f*ckin abuse man.

[eremeya]

Not to burst anyones bubble but the GPS coordinates would transfer to my ipad using earlier versions of mywi and OS versions before 4.0...

[gmcdmb69]

I already did that like a month ago with the 4.2.1 on the First iPad with my iphone4 and the MyWi tether. Whats the big deal...

[johnmarshall4]

Sorry but this has been debunked, it is only using Wi-Fi location, not true GPS. You can see a video on this here:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymyWKN64dNI&hd=1]YouTube - Wi-Fi iPad Tethered GPS Myth Debunked[/ame]

You can also read about all the tests I ran on my blog: JohnMarshall4 - Debunking the Wi-Fi only iPad Tethered iPhone 4 GPS Myth

[apummell]

Ya my wifi pad has always done that, it locates by wifi then uses the phones. Connection to download the maps, the pad seems to be fairly accurate with wifi!

PS I am using mywi to tether.

[The6uest]

Damn, that lag time is a deal killer! Otherwise this would be more than enough of a reason for me to jump into the 4.3 tethered jb waters.

GPS with lag time is better than no GPS at all. I'm not going to pay for AT&Ts Hotspot feature just for faster GPS on my wifi iPad. If I need faster GPS like when I'm driving I'd use my phone.

[apummell]

I think yur missing the point the wifi only pad is not tethering the GPS INFORMATION FROM THE PHONE just the google maps are being downloaded the pad is using wifi to locate.