Verizon Quickly Changes Mind, Thunderbolt Will Have Mobile Hotspot At Launch

[RichardClark]

Check out this breaking news from Droid Life. Looks like they got whatever bugs worked out and the ThunderBolt is back to having hotspot functionality available at launch. Includes screenshot.

Verizon Quickly Changes Mind, Thunderbolt will have Mobile Hotspot at Launch - Droid Life: A Droid Community Blog

 

[colesl4w]

Well I wonder how this has effected peoples decisions regarding the phone. I for one planned on getting it anyway, mainly cause I wouldn't even end up using either feature very much. But its good they're getting those features out they said they would.

 

[DolfanCole]

I think that's very welcome news. I'm about 90% sold on the Bionic over the TBolt, but the hotspot feature is something that I would weight heavily in deciding which. Having that feature at launch would be a definite plus for me.

I wonder though if the feature would have been available at launch even for those that root the device, or if there was some underlying issue that would have prevented the feature regardless of rooting.

 

[I am Fake Jesus]

now i just need htcsense.com to work an i will be happy

 

[zero neck]

Good to know, but i'll never pay for that

 

[RUSH]

If these carriers really think that customers are really going to pay these extra bills for mobile hotspot... they must have too much to drink. The amount of people that actually pay for this is less than one tenth of a hundred.

 

[Dr3amville]

Will the Mobile hotspot feature allow my laptop to access internet? If so, will this service be as fast as my At&t high speed internet?

 

[Chris Kerrigan]

@VIlleMatic -- Yes it will allow you to connect up to 5 devices to your phones 3G/4G service via a WiFi hotspot, that includes laptops. As far as speed, it's going to depend on where you are at the time.

 

[edoublediz]

@VIlleMatic -- Yes it will allow you to connect up to 5 devices to your phones 3G/4G service via a WiFi hotspot, that includes laptops. As far as speed, it's going to depend on where you are at the time.

8 users

 

[TBolt2011]

@VIlleMatic -- Yes it will allow you to connect up to 5 devices to your phones 3G/4G service via a WiFi hotspot, that includes laptops. As far as speed, it's going to depend on where you are at the time.

TBolt can do 8, you might be confusing the iPhone.

 

[Chris Kerrigan]

I stand corrected -- it is 8. Thanks guys!

 

[Chris Kerrigan]

Will this feature be free to use?

Verizon charges for it, unfortunately. It's an extra $20 per month.

You can however, if you decide to root your phone, use the app WiFi Tether, which won't cost you a penny

 

[reb422]

now i just need htcsense.com to work an i will be happy

^+1

 

[danthman]

Does rooting your phone mean you don't get Sense?

 

[Chris Kerrigan]

Does rooting your phone mean you don't get Sense?

Nope. All rooting does is give you "Super User" permissions, which essentially means gives you access to files, folders and actions you don't normally have access to.

 

[Dr3amville]

Does rooting your phone mean you don't get Sense?

Negative, HTC Sense is a User Interface developed by HTC. Rooting is a process that allows users of cellphones to gain Super User Access.

 

[danthman]

Gotcha, so how long after a phone comes out before you can root it? Is it right away, or do you have to wait for some hacker to release an app?

 

[Chris Kerrigan]

It really all depends. Some phones have had a working root method out before the phone is even released, others it's been a little while after it's been out. But you can bet it'll be here in the forums

 

[ShaggyKids]

Nope. All rooting does is give you "Super User" permissions, which essentially means gives you access to files, folders and actions you don't normally have access to.

Oh thanks, I've been wondering what that meant.

 

[Dr3amville]

Verizon charges for it, unfortunately. It's an extra $20 per month.

You can however, if you decide to root your phone, use the app WiFi Tether, which won't cost you a penny

Is there a data cap using Wifi Tether or is it unlimited data?