Hook Android to Windows 7 with Easy Tether
Last Updated on Friday, 3 June 2011 09:29 Written by Alan Monday, 6 June 2011 07:00
Android and Windows are two of the most popular platforms worldwide – one for mobile and one for “regular” computers. The problem is that, after paying $30 per month for a data plan, Android users still can’t use their mobile data connection with their laptop while on the road (known as “tethering”) unless they pony up another $9.95+ per month for that privilege.
Google has even been petitioned by by wireless carriers to remove free tethering apps from the Android Market. Despite that, some good ones still exist, but most require root access. For may of our readers that may be a simple requirement, but for others is could be an insurmountable obstacle. Enter Easy Tether – a tethering app that works without hacking. Not only does it work with Windows 7, but also Vista and XP, as well as OS X, Ubuntu, Fedora, and even the Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii.
To get started, just download Easy Tether on your Android device and then launch the app. You will first be prompted set up the app by entering the computer OS you will be using it with.
Choose your OS and then click Next. Now you will need to read, and agree to, the terms of service. This will download the computer-side software to your phone for later transfer to the PC. Follow the instructions on your phone. If you need to download the PC software separately you can can do so from the Easy Tether Drivers page.
One note, which will apply to precious few of you, Easy Tether seems to be compatible with Windows 8, however, the Android driver is not.
There are other ways of tethering Android to Windows, such as PDAnet, but Easy Tether has proven to be simple and reliable., plus it’s free, That’s a great combination of pluses that it has going for it.
Tethering Windows Mobile With PdaNet
Last Updated on Wednesday, 23 June 2010 08:36 Written by Alan Tuesday, 22 June 2010 08:00
First the disclaimer: This isn’t necessarily something your mobile service wants you doing…and it may actually violate their terms of service. So, of course, I am speaking hypothetically about what I have heard…from a friend…
If you aren’t familiar with the term “tethering” then let me give a brief explanation. Tethering is simply plugging your cell phone into your laptop and using the cellular data network to access the internet on the laptop.
So let’s get started with PdaNet.
1. First, make sure you have ActiveSync installed on your laptop. If you don’t, then you can download it HERE.
2. Download PdaNet to your laptop (PdaNet works, not just with Windows Mobile, but also with Android, PalmOS, Blackberry and iPhone)
3. At the end of the installation you will be prompted to plug your phone into the laptop.
4. Once installed, there is not ore setup necessary (although you can make changes if you want). Now just plug in your phone wherever you are and right-click on PdaNet tray icon and choose Connect.
3 Ways to Tether Windows Mobile
Last Updated on Wednesday, 22 December 2010 09:13 Written by Alan Thursday, 4 March 2010 08:00
If you are new to this, let me first give a brief explanation of tethering. Tethering is the use of a mobile phone to provide internet access to a PC. Basically, it means you plug your phone into your laptop (generally via USB) and use the phone’s data connection as a modem for internet access on the laptop. While WiFi has become more and more readily available, it is still not everywhere. And, since surfing on your laptop is much easier than on your phone, logic dictates using that data plan you pay for to surf on the laptop. Here are 3 programs you can use to tether your Windows Mobile phone.
1. PdaNet
This is the one I use. It’s $34 to buy, but they provide a free 7 day trial of the full version. It works with Windows Mobile 5 and newer. It’s easy to install – download the file to your PC and begin the installation and then you will be prompted to plug in your phone to finish. It does require that you have Windows Mobile Device Center already installed (if you are using Vista or 7). Once installed, you can go to the network connection icon in you system tray and select the PdaNet connection.
2. WMWifiRouter
This one will run you $$29.99. It works with Windows Mobile 5 and 6. This does not require your phone to be plugged into the PC, but your phone does have to have WiFi. Once it’s set up, you can broadcast your phones data connection through WiFi and then log on to that network from your PC, just like any other wireless network.
3. USB Modem
This works with Windows Mobile 5.0, 6.0 and 6.1. There is no mention on the web site of 6.5 or Windows 7. I would assume, if it works with Vista (and it does) that it will work with 7. The advantage here is the price – $19.95. The caution, coming directly from their web site, is “for more reliable work with Sprint or Verizon carriers you may need to purchase their tethering plan”. If you want to purchase the service from your carrier then you might as well use their software instead of buying a third-party program.
