freeTether 1.0 now available for the eager untethered masses 52
You've been waiting for it, and now it's finally here. freeTether 1.0, a homebrew app that allows you to connect multiple devices to your webOS smartphone for instant internet access, is now available for the mass of Preware users everywhere to install. This is the first public release of the application from the WebOS Internals crew, so expect updates to be coming forward in time.
To get freeTether on your device, just install via Preware or WebOS Quick Install. Once you've done that, you'll have no problems launching the app just like any other, except that this one allows you to share your phone's data connection with the connectivity starved world around you. You can connect multiple devices at once using either Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or USB connections, and can manage all of those device connections quickly from one screen (that one screen being your phone).
We've been playing with freeTether through its beta period and we can say that it works like a charm. When creating wireless networks, you can choose between two different security settings: Open or WPA2 Personal, which allows you to create a private password and keep the baddies out (we recommend this setting, if just to keep strangers from hogging your bandwidth). Just make sure you're sharing your data connection wisely, it's all too easy to go over the limits set by your service provider when using a computer instead of a phone.
freeTether 1.0 is brought to you completely free and open source from the great developers at WebOS Internals, but it's never a bad idea to pay a little something in return for their efforts. If you've found this app valuable to you in some way, please consider sending a donation (large or small) via this Support and Donations page, which goes directly to the app's developers.
Source: WebOS Internals
52 Comments
tethering cap limited to your data cap?
yes
does unlimited data plan equate to unlimited tethering?
hahaha
Awesome! I've been long overdue for a donation and just sent one a few minutes ago. Thanks for all you do!
Does/will this work in WebOS 2.1?
works very well in 2.1.0
Probably a dumb question, but....... If we have Verizon- we already have free mobile hotspot- how does this differ? Thanks!
the world does not revolve around one person. This is a great app to have for current Sprint customers who do not get the Verizon luxuries.
this differs in 2 ways. 1) my MHS never played nice with my linux PC's and laptops. The connection was constantly being dropped. Freetether eliminated that. 2) Freetether is easily installable for those of us who have meta-doctored to 2.1.0
As a current Sprint Pre- user, I also happen to use the Verizon MHS app, so its NOT just one person.
If you're on Sprint running the Mobile Hotspot app, you are actually running an "acquired" patched version of a carrier-specific app that is not supported by updates and any changes Sprint or Palm would happen to make to your phone. Also pray that a Sprint tech doesn't notice it if you ever have to bring your Pre- in for service. Hey, I'm only saying this cause I run the patched Verizon MHS app too ;). But getting back to the topic, the Freetether app also differs from the MHS app in that all webOS devices can freely install and use it regardless of carrier and feature-wise, it gives you more options and info than MHS.
I've been using My Tether on Sprint for the longest. Sometimes it even allows me to stream Netflix during certain times of the day. Is this any better?
I would say YES!
It's better!
Does this mean that for those of us on Verizon who haven't hacked our Pre+ up to WebOS 2 can now do so without losing hotspot?
That was the only reason I haven't updated. When I'm traveling, that mobile hotspot is a godsend. If this will work instead, I will move over in a flash.
works very well with 2.1.0
I have verizon and a pre plus, upgraded to 2.1 a little over a week ago, the only app i found to not work is the gesture tutorial, the built in mobile hotspot works just fine for me and it's like having a new phone with the 2.1 on there, except it's faster and smoother than when it was new last month with 1.4.5 Upgrade man! you won't regret it!
Just downloaded the freeTether and connect via WIFI Open my old Apple PowerBook (Mac OS X 10.4.11) and it just simply works. I have first release Palm Pre with Sprint running WebOS 1.4.5. Love it and now I cannot wait for the HP TouchPad so I can get real connected ;-))
Works great!
Does it improve tethering to iPod touch's? (Which are notorious for being stuck at something like 10KB/s on hotspot compared to nearly 70KB/sec for other devices on my Verizon Palm hotspot).
If this gives better downstream bandwidth to iPods, this might be worth switching from the Palm hotspot app.
I just tested it. I did not try the WiFi but instead ran my iPod through the bluetooth and this works wonderfully.
Just sent off a donation to say "Thanks" for a great homebrew app that will help me keep the faith with WebOS for a few more months. I've been mulling whether to say goodbye to my Pre and jump ship to Android, but I'm not impressed by Sprint's Android phone lineup and I know I'd miss my Touchstones. So here's the consolation prize for sticking with WebOS - now I can use my Pre to connect to my iPod Touch on the road. It's just enough to get the monkey off my back for now -- at least until we see if the Pre 3 comes to Sprint.
This works fantastic for Sprint! I have been using my iPod touch to bounce off it and have not got any warning messages so far.
hate to be a kill-joy but could this not be considered theft of a service that most carriers charge a separte fee for? i mean, don't get me wrong... I love it and would use it if VZ didnt give me 5 gigs a month free, but I am just wondering about the legal aspect.
From verizonwireless.com:
Unlimited Smartphone and BlackBerry Plans and Features
These WirelessEmail plans and features cannot be used: (1) for access to the Internet, intranets or other data networks except as the device’s native applications and capabilities permit, unless you subscribe to Mobile Broadband Connect; or (2) for any applications that tether your device to laptops or personal computers other than for use of the Wireless Sync or the BlackBerry solution, unless you subscribe to Mobile BroadbandConnect.
See nothing in there about non-PC tablets. ^_^
My carrier loves people who tether, since there are no unlimited data plans and tethering increases their revenue.
Just because your particular carrier has a weird subsidy penchant which makes them have to put weird type-of-access constraints in place does not make a program that works well with all the other non-weird carriers in the world have a legal problem.
If your carrier has a problem with tethering, then change your carrier if you want to tether.
-- Rod
One of my lines is on at&t with its 2-year contract for a $15.00 unlimited data plan about to expire next month. I presume it will be month-to-month after that, and hope to celebrate the anniversary by getting an unlocked GSM Pre 2. If I install and use freeTether on that device, will at&t be able to detect that I'm tethering?
This is great news! I'll download & install soon. I'm assuming/hoping this plays nice with other WiFi conduits such as Chapura and/or WiFi media sync. Naturally, only one service at a time.
Thanks webOS Internals. I sent a long overdue donation. You've saved the community especially the VZW customers that are being shafted when we lose the free mobile hot spot by upgrading to 2.O. Too bad VZW can't be as customer friendly as you guys. Thanks again.
Fortunately, you actually don't lose VZW Hotspot when you upgrade a VZW Pre Plus to 2.1(via webOS Internals meta-doctor and automated scripts). You DO lose the free hotspot if you purchase a VZW Pre 2, though, so freeTether will be great for those customers as well.
Is that true? Have you tried it? I read in several forums here that if you update hotspot is gone.
it is true, i have verizon and a pre plus, upgraded to 2.1 about a week ago and hotspot works just fine, it's faster than my stupid DSL for the house does right now., go for it! UPGRADE, you won't regret it, just make sure you back up all your stuff first and uninstall any patches or custom firmwares. I had to doctor back to 1.4 then upgrade OTA to 1.4.5 then doctor to 2.1.0
Does anyone know what Sprint will do if they find someone tethering on their Palm Pre? Is there a charge even if you have unlimited data?
Will they slap my hand?
I would like to know this as well. I understand they offer an app to tether at a cost of $30/month. I can't imagine they would just say "oh well, they figured out how to do it on their, good for them" and not slap us with a tethering charge.
I've always wondered is this strong enough to connect my PS3 and play online?
Does this still use as much battery power as the MHS app for the WiFi connection?
I use the USB to physically tether to my computer while using the pre as a mobile hotspot and it essentially runs off my computer battery for up to 12 hours (with the computer battery saver mode).
Works great so far. A+
I like the USB and BlueTooth options, will have to check this app out..
Anyone do a Speed test with this on? Wondering how it compares to regular unlimited on Sprint, is the only difference is you can connect additional devices? If Sprint is 4G, then its using clearwire, and the way that works is you get access to several attenae, given they are available so BW should be as good for several devices as it is for just one.
Just curious how this works.
Just tried it: works great on my Dell laptop! Looking forward to using it to log on at court, because my vzw phone card sticks way out. It's just inviting somebody to bump/break it, or worse, steal it. Well, stealing probably won't happen, because everybody there will be an attorney.... Right? Right?!
Sk, can at&t detect this like can can on Android and IOS?
This is a great program and seems to connect quicker than My tether. My tether requires paying for the program and then logging in to download it. There has been an upgrade and I am unable to get it. Myself and others have not been able to log back in after downloading it and have gotten no response from them. I will send a small donation now but if Sprint does get the Pre3 and I chose that over the EVO 3D I will send a bigger one.
So if I am on sprint using this will I be charged any extra?
I've been tethering since the beginning of 2010 and have never gotten a notice or extra charges from Sprint. Of course, you have to be reasonable with it. I don't use it very often and when I do, it's only if I'm in a place where I absolutely HAVE to get online and there is no free WiFi connection around. Even then, I'm only on long enough to do what I need to do, then I'm off. And definately don't do anything stupid like stream movies or download your latest adobe.com purchase or anything. Sprint can and will flag you for what they consider excessive data use.
I've been making apps for the Pre since day 1. Never, until now, have I ever installed PreWare. Works great on my unlocked Pre2 on AT&T
It's interesting to note that out of all the comments above, not one person has reported having the same experience that I have had - that Freetether over usb on a vzw Pre+ doctored to 2.1 on W7 64 bit simply doesn't work. I can get as far as seeing the network show up and even see it claiming there is internet connectivity, but as soon as I try to download web pages or check email, the connection breaks or flakes to the point where it isn't usable. No problems using wifi whatsoever, but tethering by usb so I could keep the phone charged was what made this a #1 app for me back on 1.4.5 -
Does this app work with Windows XP because I cant seem to make it do so. I had it run on Windows 7 so I know it works in general.. Help please!
This is wonderful - I give thanks and have donated!
This works great with my MacBook Pro on Bluetooth but I can't get my touchpad to use the internet connection on Bluetooth.
Is there a way to use Bluetooth tethering from my touchpad or do I have to use wifi tethering?