iPhoneModem 2 claims to tether through Wi-Fi
updated 09:15 am EST, Thu February 19, 2009
iPhoneModem for iPhone
Addition has launched iPhoneModem 2, an app that enables people to use an iPhone's cellular link as a tethered connection for their Mac or PC. Users must jailbreak their iPhone, and in fact run two separate components: the iPhone software, and a helper program on the computer.
The iPhone half opens DNS, HTTP, HTTPS and SOCKS proxies while connecting to its companion. The helper program creates a new ad-hoc Wi-Fi network, and configures system preferences in order to use the iPhone as a proxy. People who have registered the software can run the helper in the background while using other applications.
iPhoneModem is said to be compatible with most conventional Internet tasks, including running Safari, Mail, Skype, Adium, iChat, Firefox or Cyberduck. The software requires Mac OS X 10.4 or higher, and can be registered for $10. Addition warns that tethering is technically forbidden in many iPhone service contracts, as it is with AT&T.
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PdaNet
No article about iPhone tethering is complete without mentioning PdaNet. PdaNet has a free and registered mode. In free mode, it provides the same functionality as iPhoneModem 2, but doesn't require software on the Mac or PC. In this mode, like iPhoneModem 2, it uses a SOCKS proxy, so many apps won't work.
For $19.95, you can register PdaNet, and it offers full tethering. Again, no software is needed on the Mac or PC. It works via WiFi and supports multiple Macs or PCs to be tethered. On the PC side, you can also tether via USB (but that requires software on the PC). Either through WiFi or USB, tethering is a breeze with PdaNet.