The Verizon iPhone is finally here, and it’s got a little feature we hadn’t seen on the AT&T version: Wi-Fi hotspot capabilities. This means that the device will be able to act as a hotspot for up to five gadgets.
It sounds like you’ll activate the hotspot feature using a setting which will be included on the Verizon devices, but of course you’ll have to keep in mind that Verizon does not allow for voice and data usage simultaneously.
No word on how pricing will work for the hotspot feature just yet.
Whether AT&T iPhone owners will ever see the same feature is still up in the air as well, but Apple’s Phil Schiller did briefly touch on the topic according to Ars Technica:
He also hinted-but did not confirm-that AT&T could possibly introduce the hotspot feature one day. “We did the hotspot feature because it’s something Verizon offers, they have a system and specs for it in place,” Schiller said. “We can’t say if it will come to AT&T.”
AT&T has also chimed in to say that they are “evaluating” Apple’s new mobile hotspot feature, but have “no plans to announce today,” according to Business Insider.
Photo via Ars Technica.
Tim
Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at 8:26 AMI’d kill for that personal hotspot feature, since tethering doesn’t work on my phone…
Shane
Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at 8:34 AMNow why for god sake is this not enabled on all phones!??!?!
woodsdog
Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at 9:44 AMI really could have used that while I was on Holidays… Nothing worse then trying to troubleshoot a friends PC with no Internet connection and no itunes… A Wifi hotspot would be so handy in so many situations… my GF could hang off my 3G connection when her’s does not have one(4 get better sig then 3GS).
Bring it… Optus… NOW!!!!
& Yes their is an app for that in Cydia called MyWi 4.0 $19.99. But I’m not that keen.
Shane
Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at 9:59 AMApple could cure the “jailbreak” syndrome in one foul sweep by enabling this right now!!
Hell, they could simply release an app that does the job right now :D
Matthew Appleby
Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at 11:32 AMTo watch AT&T crash and burn?
mark
Wednesday, January 12, 2011 at 12:15 PMwow this feature has only been available for about 4 years on the nokia’s (joiku spot) for free.
Greg
Thursday, January 13, 2011 at 2:11 PMWelcome to 2007.