iOS 4.2 beta 2 bringing tethering to iPads?
updated 08:00 pm EDT, Wed September 29, 2010
iOS 4.2 beta 2 may tether non-US iPads
Apple's recently released iOS 4.2 beta 2 may bring 3G tethering to the iPad for the first time as a finding this evening may have confirmed its existence. A Swedish user noticed that the APN Settings section in Cellular Data has a separate Internet Tethering category that asks for the APN, username and password separately from regular access. The same raw settings were in iOS before it had its finished tethering interface, 9to5 Mac noted.
US testers to date aren't known to be getting the tethering option, hinting that AT&T either isn't ready or isn't willing to attach tethering to iPads. It has already characterized the $30 prepaid plan as a major break from its past approach and may not be prepared to concede on a tablet as it has with the costlier to use iPhone.
The feature is most likely to be a straightforward adaptation of iPhone tethering to the tablet rather than a mobile hotspot function, such as in Android 2.2 and some customized Android 2.1 phones. One of the most heavily requested features so far has been iPhone-to-iPad tethering, but Apple CEO Steve Jobs has so far shot down mobile-to-mobile tethering for the near term.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2007
Bluetooth tether please!!!
The ability for the iPa/iPod to tether to another device for internet service would be a killer feature. Even if not to the iPhone, I don't care. I can get better data service on a crappy phone with my carrier and then tether an iPod or iPad to it and use it that way. Apple has nothing to lose by offering this. AT&T is the one that would lose out on subscribers.