Android 2.2 'Froyo' to include USB tethering, WiFi hotspot functionality
By Vlad Savov 
posted May 13th 2010 5:04AM
posted May 13th 2010 5:04AM
posted May 13th 2010 5:04AM
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Sweet, the hotspot function is a good idea.
@The Joker
now if they only add that handsfree bt option -.- but Im sure its coming soon
Can't wait for 2.2 on my nexus.. this is actual no BS fact based realistic anticipation.. not even a bit of hype like with apple products (i'm not saying they're bad).
And Vlad.. I hope you're in London, otherwise get some sleep!
@gargle Engadget never sleeps. And yes, I am in London.
@The Joker
Ye, might mean that I dont need to pay three separate bill for my internet.
@weeman
....or a really high phone bill
@The Joker
I'm assuming we'd be able to activate this feature through roms even if it's disabled by the network though, right?
@Vlad Savov Have no fear, Vlad is here!!
@sfox8 Being that most of Android is open source, as long as your phone is rootable and you can load custom ROMs on to it it should be possible to enable this feature easily and even forward the data over the exact same data connection the built-in browser uses.
@The Joker : Evo better get 2.2.
'jez saying.
[p.s. I thought the Evo already had tethering, without the extra $30 bucks/month 8 device hotspot thing. Correct me if I'm wrong.]
@jonwil tethering is available for rooted devices righ now. The app is in the market.
I'm too desperate and excited for Froyo on my Nexus One. Wireless-n, tethering, fm radio, flash, 4.5 times faster than eclair (which is already freakin fast), froyo is gonna be a killer OS. Now only if Google fixes the various bugs in their forums we'll be all set.
Only because of Froyo I did not root my N1 with htc desire rom, guess I made the right choice, we'll see.
@viditbhargava and yea...at&t 3G is fast so tethering will be awesome...let's see how they price it or try to block it.
@gargle
Same Here, waiting for 2.2 Froyo on my loved Nexus One.
Android, getting better all the time.
GO ANDROID
@viditbhargava
Exactly, waiting for Froyo and being 450% faster is the reason why I havent rooted my Nexus One.
@The Joker
This is EXACTLY what I've been waiting for from Android. Yes, you could root and get that functionality but personally I wouldn't want to root. I've been dying to get a new phone but 2.2 has shown that last thing I wanted in a phone. I will be going Android, can't wait!!
@The Joker Just one of the many more splendorous reasons why Android 2.2 is the future. Hopefully, future android phones will get this. Opinions- http://j.mp/froyo-android-unearthed
@Beatnik
Rooting your Nexus One won't stop you upgrading to 2.2, in fact XDA or DoCoMo will probably have a ROM for it first.
I was holding off with my Hero until 2.1 but decided to go for it last week, couldn't be happier it's well worth it.
@The Joker Umm, I already Have wifi tethering on my -rooted- moto droid...
@weeman
Don't be silly. This isn't an Apple arrangement.
@nk
I'm sorry, but that's been in Android for quite a while. If it isn't there for you it's disabled by your manufacturer or carrier, both of which seem unlikely...
@The Joker
Froyo is being to sound more and more like a 2.4 or 2.5, not a 2.2 update.
Can't wait, hope my indredible is rooted soon so i can enjoy 2.2 when it hits in the next month or two
@sfox8 This feature has already been included in custom roms since 2.1
@Chopes
Actually, a bit earlier before that but the key thing is that not everyone wants to root.
@Chopes
Yes, I know. That's why I asked about this version though. I have it on my 2.1 hero rom but wasn't sure if froyo would implement it differently. Either way can't wait for froyo!
@The Joker I have right now with my rooted Droid... and its awesome! :D
@Kayalims
Not wifi tethering, ~USB~ tethering.
Which I also have on my rooted Droid. :)
ALL WE NEED NOW IS VIDEO OUT,,, TO WATCH ALL THOSE HOURS OF VIDEOS ON MY TV... AND BYE BYE DIRECT TV... LOL. @viditbhargava
@The Joker Damn, if half these rumours are true, 2.2 will be a beast:
* Flash 10.1
* USB tether
* phone as wifi hotspot
* apps stored on SD
* JIT for the java VM
wow.
@jonwil
Yea there are already apps for root users that do the exact same thing on 2.1 and older
@The Joker This made my day even more complete. Please release it soon :D http://j.mp/froyo-android-unearthed
When 2.2 firm will come on Moto Milestone, I don't need root anymore
Android VPN functionality doesn't work. It need to fix.(I use pptp service and it works with iPod Touch but not with Moto Milestone.
I made the right chose, when i get Android phone. The second option would have been Windows Mobile(HTC Touch HD2), but I'm really happy when I bought Motorola Milestone. Analytics said that the Google will be he second, or third mobile systems Manufactor in few years. I believe this.
@The Joker
I really hope you don't think that google has come up with this at least not on their own there is a google code project that has offered wifi tethering for more than a year and similar projects for usb tethering. Please try to fight your way out of the paper bag you live in and use the tools provided like search engines to educate yourself. Give those heros at the code project credit not google as if they came out with something new and revolutionary because it is certainly not new.
Its just gets better and better. Screw you Apple
@AlienSix
No need an app for that!
@commenter7 Well, you don't need an app to tether with the iPhone, outside the US that is.
@pika2000
lol just realised that now as well, anyway just stick with the joke
@AlienSix
iPhone has had wifi and USB tethering for a long time. And I'm not sure why you have to take this good news as an opportunity to give iPhone users a middle finger. Can't you just be happy without being a dickhead?
@tonicboy
I didnt give iPhone users the Middle finger, I gave Apple the Middle finger. If you are going to call me out at least do it correctly.
@AlienSix
Why 'Screw you Apple'? AFAIK it's the network operators that forbid it - the functionality is in iPhone OS. Nevertheless, this is great news - Android looks pretty damn sweet right about now.
@Chris7197 Apple provides the networks with the capability of forbidding the users from using it.
@tonicboy Actually you can't tether in the US. Sorry. OS 4 won't have it either.
@Chris7197 AFAIK Apple can (or could've) exert(ed) pressure on any carrier it wants, in order to push them against other carriers, and play them against which ever would give users the best experience. Instead they went with the ones that would give the highest sales projections (with penalties if not met) and the best prices for the - not that I can blame them.
Just saying, Apple isn't powerless in this scenario, as a matter of fact they are just the opposite.
@tonicboy HTC has had this functionality before the iPhone 3G came out with its 8525 3G device through a windows mobile 6.1 feature called "internet sharing." It was available via USB and bluetooth.
@r3loaded
"Apple provides the networks with the capability of forbidding the users from using it."
Um, just like Google?
Article above- " Of course, this dreamy scenario will be subject to the big bad network operators permitting -- or at least not forbidding -- you to do such awesome things with your hardware, but at least we know the goods are being baked into this forthcoming release from Google."
@tonicboy iPhone never had official WiFi tethering. They only had official bluetooth and USB. Isn't WiFi hotspot on the Palm Pre still free on Verizon?
@big fitty What's your point? Apple didn't even have a phone when that came out... The point is that you can't blame Apple for what AT&T won't allow. I'm in Canada and I've been legally using tethering via my iPhone all day. :/
DO WANT
@jpxdude MUST HAVE