tether

New PdaNet 3 masks tethering from carriers

The latest version of connection-tethering app PdaNet masks its tether from your phone service provider, just as major carriers move to block tethered connections that bypass their services and hide unapproved tethering apps from the Android marketplace when viewed over certain carriers' networks. Released on April 30, the major feature update in PdaNet 3.0 (download for Windows x86 | x64 | Mac | Android) is the tethering mask. Additionally, publisher June Fabrics Technologies noted unspecific performance and connection quality improvements.

In addition to supporting wired USB tethering, PdaNet 3.0 also includes support for Bluetooth DUN tethers, and offers an SMS agent … Read more

Tethering apps 'blocked' in Android Market

Some of the nation's biggest wireless carriers are trying to put the kibosh on free apps that let Google Android users use their smartphones as modems without paying the carriers' extra fee.

Several blogs have reported in recent days that free Android phone tethering apps that are typically found in the Android Market are not available for Android phones on AT&T, Verizon Wireless, and T-Mobile USA.

Sprint customers apparently are still able to access many of these tethering apps from the Android Market.

Reports first surfaced from the blog DroidLife that the free tethering app Wireless Tether … Read more

Lightroom 3.4 sneaks in Nikon D5100 support

Adobe Systems released Lightroom 3.4 last night, formalizing support for the cameras listed in the beta version but also slipping in the ability to decode raw photos from Nikon's new D5100.

Lightroom, along with the related Camera Raw plug-in for Photoshop CS5, is geared for handling the unprocessed raw images from higher-end cameras. This is an option that offers better quality but more hassle than JPEG. For Adobe and others such as Apple in the same position, it means adding support for a constant parade of new cameras, each with its own proprietary format.

Lightroom 3.4 and … Read more

BlackBerry PlayBook 'bridge' app not available for AT&T

AT&T may be putting the kibosh on an application for BlackBerry smartphones that allows users to connect their new BlackBerry PlayBook tablets to AT&T's 3G wireless network for free.

AT&T has confirmed that the app that allows BlackBerry users to pair their RIM smartphones with the new PlayBook tablet is not currently available on AT&T BlackBerry phones, a fact that limits the functionality of the device for AT&T BlackBerry customers.

AT&T said the app isn't supported yet on its network because it hasn't fully tested … Read more

AT&T cracks down on unauthorized tetherers

AT&T is cracking down on unauthorized smartphone tethering.

This week the company has been sending out e-mails and text messages to wireless subscribers who have been using their smartphones as modems to connect laptops and other devices to AT&T's wireless data network without paying the additional $20 tethering fee. Letters and text messages that have been sent to offending subscribers have been posted on various Web sites.

In short, AT&T is telling these customers to pay up or stop using their devices as modems.

"Our records show that you use this capability (… Read more

How to enable tethering on the LG Optimus V

Virgin Mobile's LG Optimus V is selling like hotcakes right now (it's out of stock just about everywhere), and with good reason: It runs Android 2.2, requires no contract, and costs as little as $25 per month--a price that includes anytime voice minutes and unlimited data.

The only drawback? Despite the presence of Android 2.2, which offers native support for tethering (i.e., using the phone as a mobile Wi-Fi hot spot), the Optimus V comes with the feature disabled.

Thankfully, there's a very easy workaround, one that requires no rooting and no expense. All you need is a free app called Quick Settings, which is available from Android Market.

When you run the app, you'll see a list of settings: brightness, Ringer, Volume control, Wi-Fi, and so on. Here's how to add Wi-Fi hot spot to that list:… Read more

iOS 4.3 hitting March 11

We previewed iOS 4.3 back in January, and now the time has almost come: the latest version of Apple's iOS software will be available March 11.

What's new this time around? Well, not as much as iOS 4.2, but there are some notable upgrades--especially if you're an iPad owner.

Support for additional multifinger multitouch gestures and swipes adds four-finger fast-swapping between open apps and a one-handed way to flick the app dock up, instead of double-clicking the home button. In fact, you'll probably be using that lone physical button a whole lot less now. … Read more

Data-retention plan

Links from Wednesday's episode of Loaded:

The Department of Justice proposes a very vague Internet data retention plan

Verizon's unlimited data plan for the iPhone will cost $30 per month--for a limited time

Verizon's iPhone tethering option will cost an extra $20 per month

Amazon.com wants to deliver groceries to homes nationwide with Amazon Fresh

Facebook is developing a Groupon competitor called Buy With Friends

Twitter confirms it has been blocked in Egypt amid violent, anti-government protests

Fox Sports will not broadcast the Super Bowl in 3D

The new MLB 11 game from Sony will … Read more

Ask Maggie: On iPhones vs. Droids, again

Nearly two weeks after Verizon Wireless announced it will get the iPhone, iPhone fever is still gripping many CNET readers.

I dedicated last week's Ask Maggie to answering questions about the Verizon iPhone. And this week I got several more questions related to Verizon's upcoming launch of the iPhone. So in this week's Ask Maggie column I answer some follow-up questions. Specifically, I clarify for one reader that both iPhone and Droids support Outlook e-mail and Microsoft Office docs. I also advise another reader not to ditch his Comcast broadband for the Wi-Fi tethering feature of the … Read more