AppleInsider Staff
It remains unknown whether iOS 4.2.5 is exclusive to the CDMA Verizon iPhone, or if Apple will issue an update in the future to bring the Wi-Fi hotspot functionality to current iPhones on other carriers like AT&T. Verizon also did not announce pricing details for the tethering functionality.
The new Personal Hotspot feature is found in the native Settings application on the iPhone, sandwiched in between settings for Wi-Fi and Notifications.
Selecting Personal Hotspot allows users to turn the feature on and share their iPhone's 3G Internet connection via Wi-Fi. It notes that "additional usage charges may apply."
Users can also set a custom password for their local Wi-Fi network. Verizon said the iPhone will be able to share its Internet connection with up to five devices.
Personal Hotspot also works with Bluetooth, noting that computers can pair with the iPhone via the short-range wireless format to access the 3G Internet connection. Bluetooth connectivity with some devices has been possible in previous versions of iOS, though it is not compatible with the iPad.
Apple's CDMA iPhone runs iOS 4.2.5 with a built in Hotspot setting | Source: ArsTechnica
AT&T customers and others around the globe have had access to tethering on the iPhone for some time, though previously it was only available over USB or Bluetooth. AT&T charges customers $20 per month to allow tethering, while Verizon has not yet announced pricing details.
Aside from the Personal Hotspot feature, no new functions or fixes were immediately spotted in the CDMA iPhones demoed at Tuesday's press event. The hardware does include a new internal CDMA radio, as well as a tweaked antenna and frame design that leaked online earlier this month.
Marko Zivkovic
Wesley Hilliard
Malcolm Owen
Christine McKee
Andrew O'Hara
31 Comments
Will this come to the rest of the GSM iPhones?
The new Personal Hotspot feature is found in the native Settings application on the iPone, sandwiched in between settings for Wi-Fi and Notifications.
Looks like they've given it a new name as well as a new iOS.
they'll probably charge 20 bucks to enable this...in which case I won't bother with it, and most people won't.
From the video on Engadget it seems like the stainless steel antenna band around it was extra shiny like it had a thick clear-coat layer over it maybe to prevent the grip of death.
Also didn't anyone try to put the VZW iPhone 4 into service mode to check out possible techy info?
Does this mean that 4.2.2, 4.2.3, and 4.2.4 are all coming out in the next month?