The popular BlackBerry application, Tether, is now available for Android handsets. Formerly known asTetherBerry, Tether lets you share your mobile broadband connection with your laptop. The application installs a conduit on your laptop that connects to the tethering application on your handset. The two work together to make the install and configuration drop dead easy. Speeds with the application are fast, 50% to 75% faster than the competition, according to Tether.
While Tether was only a handful of applications that let you share your mobile broadband connection when it launched on BlackBerry, the Android version is entering a crowded market. Android has multiple paid and free options that work on both rooted and un-rooted devices. The top Android offerings include PdaNet, wireless tether for root users, and carrier-supported mobile hotspots which are now included on many Android handsets.
The most economical solution is wireless tether which is free for root users. Of course, it comes without any support but you can turn to the Android community for help on installing and configuration. PdaNet and Tether for Android are both USB-based methods and require you to physically connect your handset to your laptop. To its credit, PdaNet also offers tethering via Bluetooth DUN. Unlike Tether which is a PC-based solution (Mac version coming soon), PDANet supports Mac and PC tethering.
Price is also a factor to consider with PDANet available for $23.95, though it is on special for $15.95 for a limited time. Tether comes in with a slightly higher price tag of $49.95, but you pay extra for the ease of setup and advertised faster speeds. If you are interested in this application, do not hesitate as Tether has dropped its price to $24.99 for one week only. Anyone interested in Tether or do you prefer one of the alterative available to Android users?
[Via Tether]