WiFi ?? What is the point?

Sorry for such a dumb question -- but what is WiFi used for on the Droid X vs. 3G, etc.?

There is a $20/mo. Package that VZN offers - I think that's to allow the DROID X to become a "hot spot" by which other laptops can access the Internet .... right? But at the same time there appear to be other "tethering" apps availab, to at least just let ME tether using a USB
cable or something...

thanks ...

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So I've been looking at the manual on this feature and I think I "get it" about the WiFi thing ... but I *do* have a follow-up question.

The thing that would REALLY be the thing I want most is the ability to connect my LAPTOP to the phone - tethering it so I can use my Laptop. This vs. the "hot spot" feature which apparently costs $20/mo. Is this possible? Are there APPS out there that allow me to do this? Thanks

Originally Posted by Cody21

So I've been looking at the manual on this feature and I think I "get it" about the WiFi thing ... but I *do* have a follow-up question.

The thing that would REALLY be the thing I want most is the ability to connect my LAPTOP to the phone - tethering it so I can use my Laptop. This vs. the "hot spot" feature which apparently costs $20/mo. Is this possible? Are there APPS out there that allow me to do this? Thanks

Cody- From what I understand, the phone itself is very capable of acting as a tether and a hotspot, Verizon crippled both (although you can bring back the one by paying more money... funny about that). Verizon "claims" that the phone is not robust enough, in their opinion, to serve as a tether, which is of course total and complete Bull. I would assume someone will haxor a workaround, but as of now I havent seen one yet...

thanks !!

Yea I think PDAnet does this, there's a thread in here about it

Yes, I got that .... have yet to try it... At least it doesn't require a "hack" to root. Thanks

PDAnet works fairly well been using it for a while...I switch the phone to WiFi often when I do updates to apps... the app downloads are way faster via WiFi than using 3G...

Easy tether does the same thing for less money than PDANet.

---------- Post added at 05:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:03 PM ----------

Easy Tether does the same thing for less money. That's what I use.

Greetings,

There are actually two separate issues here:

First, you need software to tether your phone as a modem or turn it into a WiFi hotspot (two different functions but both have the same purpose: to share your phone's internet connection with PCs). Depending on where you get the software, it may have a price. For example, PDANet is an Android app that enables you to turn your phone into a modem so it can be tethered to a PC. And some Android phones come with software preloaded for WiFi hotspot function so no additional software needs to be purchased.

Second, the above software only gives your phone the capability. It does NOT provide the service. Nor does it pay for the service. When your phone connects to the internet, it does so by one of two service methods: (1) your phone provider's data network via your phone's data cel transceiver, or (2) a local Wi-Fi network via your phone's Wi-Fi transceiver.

Use of the phone's data network (method 1) by a PC tethered to your phone is not a free service. Nor is it included in your phone's standard service plan---even if the plan includes an "unlimited" data component. This is because the bandwidth consumed by your phone is usually much less than the bandwidth consumed by a PC tethered to your phone. Therefore, most phone network providers require you to pay for an extra service for either tethering your phone to a PC or acting as a Wi-Fi hotspot for one or more PCs.

If you connect your phone to the internet via a Wi-Fi network (method 2) then the fee for that service will be determined by the Wi-Fi network provider. Some Wi-Fi networks are free but many are not.

In conclusion: There are two parts to tethering a phone or using it as a Wi-Fi hotspot. This is true regardless of the method you use. First, you need the software and it may have a price. Second, you will be connecting to the internet over a network and it will usually have a monthly price. This second price is not a part of the software or your phone's normal service plan. The reason for the latter is because the bandwidth consumed may be much higher than the phone-only usage.

Getting software only gets you half way there. If you get the software and connect without getting an appropriate service plan (when it is required) then you'll be stealing bandwidth.

Kind regards, WiredNot