Internet tethering spotted in iPad iOS beta
US users not invited
Today's iPad rumor is that when iOS 4.2 is released for the iPad later this year, it may include the ability for 3G-capable versions of the "magical and revolutionary device" to provide internet tethering.
But only for some users — and not for stateside fanbois suffering the spotty slings and unhurried arrows of their struggling AT&T wireless connections.
9to5 Mac reports that a European tipster on 3's wireless service discovered a set of Internet Tethering setting fields within the APN network settings page of an iPad running a beta version of iOS 4.2.
A sight US iPad users may never see
Wired's Gadget Lab also turned up a screenshot of the same interface, provided by a UK user of T-Mobile's service.
According to 9to5: "This tethering appears to be the type of tethering iPhones currently use versus tethering the iPhone's internet to an iPad." That latter option, true fanbois will remember, was nixed back in March of this year when none other than Steve Jobs Himself sent a one-word email message to a Swedish DJ who asked if tethering an iPad to an iPhone's 3G connection might be possible.
Jobs' answer: "No."
Unfortunately for US iPadders, however, 9to5 notes that the settings fields don't appear at all on iOS 4.2 beta–equipped 3G iPads in the US — that is, those using AT&T's wireless service.
To tether or not to tether? That is the question to be answered by wireless providers — and it appears that for Europeans, that day may arrive when iOS 4.2 ships.
For US iPad users, the answer is: "Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow." ®
COMMENTS
AT&T
I suspect it has a lot more to do with the AT&T deal than apple wanting to screw the US customers. It would also be less work to not have to do a 'If AT&T then remove feature' every 3rd feature.
*sigh*
Here he is. Spouting his bile. Again.
I think you'll find that the tethering issue is caused by AT&T, but hey, you get to rail on Jobs again, so that's ok. Did he steal your sweets when you were a kid or something?
Well, in this hub of western media..
..it has its uses for chopping out coke. That screen is easy to clean, and hard to scratch, and it's big enough that you don't lose any.
Why?
I don't get it, what would I want to tether to an ipad?
A laptop? If I'm carrying a laptop why would I be carrying an ipad, if I want to tether a laptop I can use one of those phone things.
I could tether my phone, no hang on that's not right.
Anyone know how this is useful? Is there really a situation when you are carrying an ipad, no phone and another device that needs to get on the Internet and there's no wifi in the place but there is 3G?
