WiFi Tether on VZW GN - What Did I Just Stumble Upon?

[Touchpaddle]

It hasn't done that for me. When I made the original post I posted it from my iPad tethered to the GN on 3G. Received no such warning messages or redirects. Nothing of note when I tether my co-workers iPhone. Everything works like a charm with either the Switch Pro Widget or the Portable WiFi Hotspot Widget. I'm sure the other widgets that are posted here as working are fine too.

All of us are on GN's using 4.0.x, you said you are on an Incredible, I assume on 2.3 .. Maybe that makes the difference?

Maybe someone else here with a DInc could test this out??

As far as I'm concerned, turning the hotspot on via the widget is perfectly fine.(legally and contractually)

(1) I purchased my Galaxy Nexus phone from Verizon Wireless
(2) I pay a monthly fee to VZW for voice/text/data and other features (excluding hotspot)
(3) I did not modify my phone at all (i.e. no rooting/hacking)
(4) I saw the hotspot app in the official Android Market, operated by Google, Inc.
(5) I clicked on the widget as directed and it gave no warning that a charge is involved

The only legal recourse that VZW has:
(1) send OTA update preventing the use of this widget (hmmm... are they even allowed to do this on a Galaxy Nexus? )
(2) contact Google, Inc and demand that they remove it from the Android Market (highly unlikely that Google will listen)
(3) contact me via email or phone to see if I agree to a $30 monthly charge (my reply: no, thank you )
(4) do nothing

 

[Jet300]

As far as I'm concerned, turning the hotspot on via the widget is perfectly fine.(legally and contractually)

(1) I purchased my Galaxy Nexus phone from Verizon Wireless
(2) I pay a monthly fee to VZW for voice/text/data and other features (excluding hotspot)
(3) I did not modify my phone at all (i.e. no rooting/hacking)
(4) I saw the hotspot app in the official Android Market, operated by Google, Inc.
(5) I clicked on the widget as directed and it gave no warning that a charge is involved

The only legal recourse that VZW has:
(1) send OTA update preventing the use of this widget (hmmm... are they even allowed to do this on a Galaxy Nexus? )
(2) contact Google, Inc and demand that they remove it from the Android Market (highly unlikely that Google will listen)
(3) contact me via email or phone to see if I agree to a $30 monthly charge (my reply: no, thank you )
(4) do nothing

Sounds good, but we all know VZW would not roll over that easily.

 

[Touchpaddle]

Sounds good, but we all know VZW would not roll over that easily.

true.... but on the other hand.... as with anything related to VZW,
the left hand doesn't always know what the right hand is doing.

 

[Jet300]

true.... but on the other hand.... as with anything related to VZW,
the left hand doesn't always know what the right hand is doing.

Oh man. Isn't that the truth. I got a text message from VZW a couple of weeks ago congratulating me on my new Galaxy Nexus .. In the message is a link to a "help" page so you can "learn more" and buy accessories... I hit the link and it goes to a web page that says "analyzing device" ... Next thing I am looking at a screen welcoming me to my new Droid 2 R2-D2 Edition!. WTF??? VZW is funny sometimes.

 

[Touchpaddle]

Oh man. Isn't that the truth. I got a text message from VZW a couple of weeks ago congratulating me on my new Galaxy Nexus .. In the message is a link to a "help" page so you can "learn more" and buy accessories... I hit the link and it goes to a web page that says "analyzing device" ... Next thing I am looking at a screen welcoming me to my new Droid 2 R2-D2 Edition!. WTF??? VZW is funny sometimes.

R2D2 was probably unhappy that you ditched him for an android?

 

[wtfywontudienow]

Oh man. Isn't that the truth. I got a text message from VZW a couple of weeks ago congratulating me on my new Galaxy Nexus .. In the message is a link to a "help" page so you can "learn more" and buy accessories... I hit the link and it goes to a web page that says "analyzing device" ... Next thing I am looking at a screen welcoming me to my new Droid 2 R2-D2 Edition!. WTF??? VZW is funny sometimes.

ha The exact same thing happened to me.

 

[Jet300]

R2D2 was probably unhappy that you ditched him for an android?

Never have owned an R2D2 or a Droid 2 for that matter .. DOH! .. Oh VZW ... you so funny ...

 

[Jet300]

Haven't purchased the Nexus yet....using an unrooted Incredible. The portable wifi hotspot takes me to an active hotspot without the Verizon subscription notification, BUT when I open the browser on my connected tablet, it takes me to a Verizon page and not to my normal homepage. I haven't seen anyone else mention this. Doesn't that indicate that Verizon would in some fashion have notice of using the mobile hotspot?

Just tried this work around on my wife's D3 and got the same redirect page ... No mention that I would be charged though. There is definitely a difference when using the Galaxy Nexus to tether....

 

[MowDownJoe]

Or this Portable Wifi Hotspot Widget Here - https://market.android.com/details?...t&rdid=com.taiseiko.tetherWidget&rdot=1&pli=1

Umm... I installed this, then later on, my phone started dialing premium numbers on its own. I'd hang up and it'd try to dial again. And again. And again. I think you should steer clear.

 

[JoeNM84]

Umm... I installed this, then later on, my phone started dialing premium numbers on its own. I'd hang up and it'd try to dial again. And again. And again. I think you should steer clear.

I've had it for a day and haven't had my phone do that. If it does then I'll uninstall.

 

[2waterfowl]

I haven't had any of those "ghost dials" either. So far so good. I'll be sure to keep an eye on it though.

 

[raksh15]

Worked like a charm on my Samsung GN with VZW. I am writing on my laptop using the WiFi enabled.

 

[anon(174838)]

Thank you for this tip!

Works perfectly on my SGN using extended controls and my tprime - both devices are unrooted

I was using pdanet tablet beta but since that uses a Bluetooth proxy connection, certain applications were unable to detect the internet connection, and since it was a beta there were still bugs and force closes

 

[Jet300]

Thank you for this tip!

Works perfectly on my SGN using extended controls and my tprime - both devices are unrooted

I was using pdanet tablet beta but since that uses a Bluetooth proxy connection, certain applications were unable to detect the internet connection, and since it was a beta there were still bugs and force closes

You're welcome. Glad to help!

 

[zulu308]

Gonna also confirm that this work. Thanks for the tip . Not exactly sure when I'll actually make use of it.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

 

[Jet300]

Umm... I installed this, then later on, my phone started dialing premium numbers on its own. I'd hang up and it'd try to dial again. And again. And again. I think you should steer clear.

I used it twice for a short period with no issues. Its still installed on my phone. No phantom calls here. I use the Switch Pro Widget primarily. Maybe you want to try that route. It is only 99 cents and has many many other cool features.

Sorry to hear you are having this problem.

 

[NorCalStorm]

Its still free for me. I use it for my Xoom. Ive downloaded so many movies on my Xoom using the tethering from my Gnex

 

[Touchpaddle]

hypothetically, if I get a call from VZW about using hotspot without paying for it,
how should I respond?

Should I just act like: "what are you talking about? hotspotting? I don't do that anymore... I'm a happily married man!"

or do you kids don't say "hotspotting" these days? we did when we rolled in the 1970s....

 

[NorCalStorm]

Nice! Imma bring.it back

hypothetically, if I get a call from VZW about using hotspot without paying for it,
how should I respond?

Should I just act like: "what are you talking about? hotspotting? I don't do that anymore... I'm a happily married man!"

or do you kids don't say "hotspotting" these days? we did when we rolled in the 1970s....

 

[jairoguardado21]

it works for me too : I'm rooted and running axion 2.3