AT&T's Ralph de la Vega says iPhone tethering coming "soon"

There's not exactly a lot of details to go on here (or any, really), but AT&T Mobility CEO Ralph de la Vega has just confirmed during an interview at the Web 2.0 Summit that an AT&T-approved iPhone tethering option will indeed be available "soon." That lack of detail includes any word on pricing or, of course, an actual release date, though MacRumors is reporting separately that it's hearing the tethering capability will be built into the 2.2 firmware, which seems like at least a reasonable guess.

[Via MacRumors]

[Jason @ Nov 6th 2008 3:23PM]

Is that a yamaka or hair?

[nerdtalker @ Nov 6th 2008 3:25PM]

If AT&T is the Death Star/Evil Empire, does that make him Lord Vader?

[Zinger314 @ Nov 6th 2008 3:32PM]

I don't think Darth Vader is Jewish.

[konshuss @ Nov 6th 2008 3:33PM]

each island of hair is tethered wirelessly to his mustache. this man knows what he's doing.

[Samurai Jack @ Nov 6th 2008 3:44PM]

Just call him Mudkip.

[rock99rock @ Nov 6th 2008 3:45PM]

Its missing the little propeller on top.

Why wait? Jailbreak, then download PdaNet from Cydia, follow instructions. BAM. Tethered. Free. (until you bust your cap, and they track you down and kill you).

[bob sakamano @ Nov 6th 2008 3:51PM]

its the micromachines guy!

[gaforces @ Nov 6th 2008 4:24PM]

Looks to be a wide mohawk. Need to get a side view so we can see the ponytail.

[HOOPER @ Nov 6th 2008 7:16PM]

pedosmile

[Tunasam @ Nov 6th 2008 3:24PM]

So tell me again why we should we pay MORE for this? I'm already paying for a 3G Network that should be here "soon."

Apparently soon for Portland, ME means more than 4 months.

Not pleased.

[Ryan Trevisol @ Nov 6th 2008 4:24PM]

Someone who works for AT&T explained it to me this way:

You connect through the 3g gateway that people with Razr V9's or whatever connect through. wap.cingular.com (yes, it's still cingular for me). Blackberries, Palms, and the like, connect through the "smartphone" gateway, which apparently is more robust, has somewhat less traffic on it, and costs more to access (so they say). This gateway is capable of supporting tethering. When you try and push gigs of data through the consumer gateway, it causes problems for them (again, according to an employee, though a knowledgeable, experienced one).

Still, I don't feel we should have to pay for this. Not for the crap speeds that I get on my iPhone. barely 1mbps, while my friend's Sprint Blackberry gets 6-10mbps.

[zephxiii @ Nov 6th 2008 5:26PM]

@Ryan, Since EVDO Rev. A is limited to 3.1 Mbit/s, 6-10mbps is not likely! Hell, Xohm wasn't even claiming wimax to average that high.

[david solinger @ Nov 6th 2008 3:26PM]

lolololol niiiiice hair

[bobartig @ Nov 6th 2008 3:27PM]

Yes, now you can pay $X/mo forever instead of a one-time app store purchase for the privilege of tethering your iPhone. Well, that and the iPhone contract might otherwise prohibit tethering.

[Faustus @ Nov 6th 2008 3:28PM]

When I look at my phone "soon" seems to mean "now".

[Flaystus @ Nov 6th 2008 3:29PM]

test

[Sam Zebian @ Nov 6th 2008 3:29PM]

HELL YEA!

This is basically the only reason (next to video recording) I jailbroke my Iphone... I installed only a few jailbroken apps that I can live without, and now I will have a more stable phone (i jailbroke, and it's been way more unstable compared to before). I'll miss you, Video Recording Apps, but your not enough for a jailbreak... Tethering on the other hand was well worth it, and I'll still have to jailbreak if this costs too much. Free tethering would be nice AT&T, it would be. Please do that!

I know they won't, sigh :(

[Gabe @ Nov 6th 2008 3:30PM]

If you're already spending money for an iPhone 3G on AT&T's network, then you might as well buy a USB connector like this one:
http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phone-details/?device=AT%26T+USBConnect+Mercury&q_sku=sku2940237

Better than waiting for a (probably) unreliable tethering service.

[whatishalo? @ Nov 6th 2008 3:36PM]

Doesn't the Mercury USB device require another contract/monthly fee?

[frank Da Tank @ Nov 6th 2008 4:27PM]

Yes it's basicly another phone. I have one (work pays) and I have say the connection is kick ass. Fast and reliable but not cheap, about $60.00 monthly. If i had to pay for the iPhone and this on my dime it would be a no-go.

Be curious to see if the tether is as reliable and quick as Mercury device.

[patriotsn1 @ Nov 6th 2008 3:32PM]

Shouldn't this "feature" be expected on a device like this? I've had tethering since 2005...

[Sergio @ Nov 6th 2008 4:26PM]

Everyone has it exept these fruits

[htd @ Nov 6th 2008 3:36PM]

why do they expect people to pay more for tethering? when capitalism is driven by max personal gain in short term, it doesn't work.

[THJ @ Nov 6th 2008 3:47PM]

Why should I have to pay for my wife and kids at an all you can eat buffet? They should just be able to eat off my plate. That's how capitalism works!

[BJ is Gooder @ Nov 6th 2008 3:55PM]

Hometown Buffet FTW!!!

[bangladeshiluv @ Nov 6th 2008 4:03PM]

you are either a senior citizen or an illegal immigrant if you eat at Hometown Buffet.

[kal326 @ Nov 6th 2008 4:07PM]

@THJ
Your analogy is flawed in the fact that by tethering I'm not allowing other people to eat off my bandwidth, I'm just bringing a few more plates for myself. After all AT&T sells it as an unlimited data plan so as long as I am the only one benefiting from the data why does it matter where it ultimately ends up?

What you are describing is turning your phone into a wifi router like several WiMo apps can do. Which would allow you to share your 3G data with multiple other people.

[jimmy @ Nov 6th 2008 5:28PM]

kal: your rationale is flawed in that you think wireless service providers aren't going to ream you every chance they get...

[Jonathan Sundy @ Nov 6th 2008 6:16PM]

The reason they differentiate unlimited data on a cell phone and unlimited data on a laptop is because of average use and types of use.

Most people will use a lot more bandwith when on a laptop with a full sized browsing experience that doesn't crash every few pages and allows copy and paste for hopping between websites or just working in general.

You also can't play flash games, MMOs, or ya know, torrent movies on your iPhone but you can on your laptop, and that is honestly what they are afraid of.

I'm not certain whether I would give up the comfort of "unlimited" internet on my iPhone for free tethering with a cap'd total data plan, unless it was a pretty crazy cap (which it wouldn't be). Of course I'm not saying they are even considering offering a plan like that, but it could be a nice option to have the flexibility.

More than likely it'll be another $15 a month to add laptop connect to the iPhone won't it?

[brian @ Nov 6th 2008 4:00PM]

I wonder if they'll allow bluetooth tethering? I don't really want to have to hook my phone up to my laptop with a usb cable...

[Vassil Mladjov @ Nov 6th 2008 4:05PM]

Wait, this is the same guy that cut my cell service in the Oakland Hill. I had to create a community to fight him, please join me to fight the evil empire here http://atthell.com

[Mack Swift @ Nov 6th 2008 4:07PM]

The hell with tethering. Copy/Cut and Paste! True MMS! Landscape keyboard for texting! True bluetooth functionality (not just a damn earpiece).

Come on Apple and AT&T, get with the program. I'm still amazed that millions of people bought into what amounts to a Touch Screen iPod with a few cell phone functions tacked on.

[Dan @ Nov 6th 2008 4:16PM]

You'd still bitch and complain about the iPhone even if it had all those functions... is that what would make it a good phone? Without those functions it's a "Touch Screen iPod with a few cell phone functions tacked on."? Give me a break.

[Brian @ Nov 6th 2008 4:21PM]

That's because it works REALLY well, for being an ipod with a phone slapped inside. I'm not a loyal consumer of any brand, I go where the best product for the best price is and after using about a dozen blackberries and smart phones over the last 5 years I can honestly say that the iphone is a superb product. Does it have flaws? certainly. Is it missing some features I would love to have? MMS, BT audio for music (I've ripped the cord on more than one pair of headphones at work), tethering, obex or bluetooth syncing with itunes or hell even wifi syncing.....just to name a few.

Most PDA/Smart phones feel like a pretty decent PDA with a terrible phone application slapped on and web browsing that makes me want to murder puppies. The iphone does a pretty good job at being a phone, and an ipod, it has fun games, and it has a pretty fantastic web browser as well. It works well with fewer forced reboots than any other pda I've ever used. That said though the instant I handle a device that will better suit my needs I'll be dumping the iphone without a second thought.

[Laughing Man @ Nov 7th 2008 2:22AM]

I agree with everything but the web browser thing. The web browse should support Flash. Flash became a basic part of the internet in like 2001. Hell, I actually think that there are some parts of AT&T and Apple's websites that use Flash. Why is that not installed in the browser? Why does it crash when I try to type in a box, that it allows me to select just because the 20% of the page I never use didn't load all the way?

Because Flash would mean I could play games on the internet that I like for free and that would somehow cut into their back end profile point.

I love my iPhone....hacked of course (stable I might add), but I still don't like Apple and their bull$!*&.

The number one most requested feature to add the iPhone is and will be until they add it...Landscape keyboard for texting. It will take far less time to add that than tethering. Accept the fact that the iPhone primary market is not business people, and give then what they want so they will not think about checking on the HTC Diamond Pro or Blackberry Storm.

[Brian @ Nov 7th 2008 10:26AM]

Flash is one of those awesome things I wish it had hehe. I remember adobe saying they could have flash ready for the iphone in hours if apple would approve it, but they won't since it would require greater access to the software than apple wants to allow.

[paul @ Nov 6th 2008 4:08PM]

I can't wait to see how much AT&T soaks people for this option. We're about to reach the pinnacle of their overcharging of iPhone customers.

[Aerodynamics @ Nov 6th 2008 4:11PM]

Raphael de la Ghetto, is that you?

[George Kirkaldie @ Nov 6th 2008 4:19PM]

And honestly, who cares about AT&T and tethering? I'm not on AT&T and neither is most of the world, why should AT&T get to decide whether or not I can tether my phone?

I'm on Fido, and I have a true unlimited data plan. I can tether with my plan. So, why can't I just go to the appstore and get the application? Or use the built in application that should be there to begin with?

I'm using PDANet and it works... And works great. It's just not fair that AT&T get to decide how every other carriers user gets to use his/her iPhone.

[Don Corleone @ Nov 6th 2008 4:51PM]

This firmware update seems to be taking a long time to release.
I can only imagine it will make a nice espresso as well.

[Mike McComas @ Nov 6th 2008 5:22PM]

Could be nice but I have a feeling that AT&T will charge too much. I think the blackberry tethering plan is something like $20. For now I am using a Option Express card but its annoying to have to eject the SIM from the iPhone every time I want to use it. It works great though, I can surf and play WoW. Just have to be careful not to overuse it otherwise AT&T might start asking questions.

[BK @ Nov 6th 2008 5:25PM]

I wonder what that means for my NetShare app. Remote Kill Switch?

[brian @ Nov 6th 2008 5:53PM]

My god...The hair!

[Str1ker @ Nov 6th 2008 7:46PM]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

...the hair!

[phanbouy @ Nov 6th 2008 7:49PM]

looks like Borat needs some Rogaine

[Alan @ Nov 6th 2008 9:17PM]

If u have jailbroken your iphone, then go to cydia and get "PDAnet" for free tethering.

[iphone unlock @ Nov 7th 2008 1:12AM]

That hair!

http://3giphoneunlock.info

[Vingh @ Nov 7th 2008 6:42AM]

Middleage Mohawk FTW

[Mack Swift @ Nov 7th 2008 9:01AM]

A friend of mine let me use her iPhone for a week telling me it was the next best thing to an orgasm.

The iPhone experience has been a head-scratcher.

The phone itself is nice. The weight itself is good, the device feels solid in my hand. Voice calls work; I can hear them and they can hear me. The touch screen is rather spiffy, and the screen display sure looks nice. The bevy of connection options is great, the App Store is cool, and the iPod functions on the touch screen. well, it works (LOL - sorry not much of a music/movie watcher/listener on my cell phone - I have a Zune for that at the gym).

But I sure don't feel satisfied using this thing as it's seriously lacking features that even my W300i has.

The onscreen keyboard bites for text messaging, and why doesn't it go to landscape mode? Most, if not all, touch screen phones do this by default.

Who's genius idea was it to exclude MMS on a multimedia smartphone?? I can neither send nor receive picture messages on an iPhone. And yes, I am well aware of the email work-around for this, but I shouldn't have to do it that way. Take picture, tap send, choose contact(s), and off it goes! Done, done, and done. And yes, my W300i does it that way. I rode my V-Rod for 3600 miles this summer, and took pics all the time and sent them to my friends on my phone. And they in turn did the same. With an iPhone this is not possible.

Bluetooth is only usable for a singe ear headset? I heard their reasoning about A2DP (battery life), but you what? Let your users come to that conclusion. Give them a choice and options. And no file and data transfers over bluetooth? That's dumb. I know a lot of users who transfer contacts between devices and themselves, and a few pictures and ringtones from time to time.

iTunes is the bane of application existence (see above). I email stuff to myself all the time, as well as transfer some pics and ringtones. Sorry, want to add contacts, pictures, documents, ringstones, and full songs to your iPhone? Gotta use the iTunes approval service. If Stevie Jobs doesn't want that data on your phone, iTunes won't let it on there.

And what's up with Apple's remote cut-off switch that's embedded in the iPhone? If Apple don't like it, they can remotely kill it off or remove it. And what's cute about that is that at purchasing and contract signing; the AT&T rep doesn't even mention that and it isn't in the contract.

Is it me or is Stevie Jobs and company the land of obsessive, compulsive disorder control freaks?

The iPhone is a pretty neat device with quite a few glaring omissions. More like an iPod with a few anemic cell phone functions tacked on.

Open up the platform for the end users and the developers and give everyone some choices, and you've have a great device.

[Babyphone @ Nov 9th 2008 11:37PM]

This is very nice review but also want to share one more review of the babyphone for iPhone.

Here is the one short description is given:-

The main screen of Babyphone shows the current status, the microphone sensitivity and the threshold for triggering the alarm.

If the Microphone's display reaches or exceeds the set threshold, the previously defined phone number will be called. After completion of the call and the expiration of the delay Babyphone will reactivate itself again.

In the settings you can enter the number to call. In addition, there is a sleeping interval with an adjustable delay in minutes, after which Babyphone will reactivate itself again.

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=293317774&mt=8