Android Tethering App Pulled – What’s Next?
Posted 04/05/09 at 12:46:06 PM by Justin Kerr
In a flooded smart phone market, Google’s open source approach was a refreshing change, especially given the state of martial law many iPhone user’s live under. But with the removal of the tethering application from the mobile store, many users are starting to question just how open the platform really is. In defense of its actions, Google was forced to cite a passage from its distribution agreement with T-Mobile.
“Google enters into distribution agreements with device manufacturers and Authorized Carriers to place the Market software client application for the Market on Devices. These distribution agreements may require the involuntary removal of Products in violation of the Device manufacturer’s or Authorized Carrier’s terms of service”
When you pair this up with T-Mobiles terms of service which forbids tethering, Google suddenly appears to be legally bound to ban the application. This does however make us wonder what the future of Android will look like on other carriers. Will this lead to carrier specific app stores in the future? Users who purchase unlocked phones and use them on other carriers which permit tethering will probably want access to these types of applications. The big question is will they be able to?
What do you think the future holds?
well since this story broke
Submitted by comptech08 on Sun, 04/05/2009 - 10:10am
well since this story broke last week, since then Google has restored the tethering apps for over seas countries but will not with the United States. Which is total bogus. I understand it was an agreement, but a very stupid one it was.
What do you mean by
Submitted by Keith E. Whisman on Sun, 04/05/2009 - 1:08pm
What do you mean by tethering? Are you talking about connecting my phone to a computer and having the computer access the interenet through my Cell Phone internet service?
Or being able to access my cell phone from my computer for moving files like music to and from my phone?
If it is for internet access then it makes perfect sense because T-Mobile has a USB 3G modem they want you to buy and get service on. Why compete with itself here when it comes to it's other services? Sure I think it's stingy and a rip off.
Thethering for net access is
Submitted by Justin.Kerr on Sun, 04/05/2009 - 2:09pm
Thethering for net access is blocked.
You can still sync your device no problem :)
its not blocked. You have
Submitted by comptech08 on Sun, 04/05/2009 - 2:19pm
its not blocked. You have to have root access to do it and getting root is not that hard to do. Also you dont have to download an app from the market you can search for them on your computer download them, then upload them to your phone and install. So they have really not stopped what they were trying to do.
Any chance you could provide
Submitted by nduanetesh on Mon, 04/06/2009 - 6:46am
Any chance you could provide a link? I've been really seriously thinking about switching to T-Mobile and getting a G1 lately, and not being able to tether is one of the big reasons I haven't done it yet.
Thanks.
http://www.t-mobile.com/ Her
Submitted by Keith E. Whisman on Mon, 04/06/2009 - 11:14am
http://www.t-mobile.com/ Here is the main page. And the URL for customer pages... https://my.t-mobile.com/Login/?rc=&dest=http://my.t-mobile.com:80/Default.aspx
ya
Submitted by comptech08 on Mon, 04/06/2009 - 7:59am
ya sure
www.google.com
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