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A few years ago Google added the ability to use Android phones as mobile hotspots — and wireless carriers pretty quickly started charging customers extra to use that feature. The move seemed a bit odd to some, since carriers weren’t giving users any more data to use during a given month, they were just charging for the ability to use your phone’s data plan to go online with a laptop or tablet.
Now T-Mobile is bucking the trend. Some of the network’s customers started noticing this week that they can tether their phones to other devices without paying an extra fee — and now T-Mobile has confirmed that even pre-paid customers will be able to use up to 2.5GB of mobile hotspot data (that’s most you’ll get though, even if you pay for unlimited service).
Here’s a roundup of tech news from around the web.
- T-Mobile now offers free mobile hotspot for smartphone plans
T-Mobile’s been repositioning itself lately as an “uncarrier,” and there’s nothing that makes the company less like other carriers than choosing not to charge customers more money to use their data the way they choose. [Android Central] - Motorola Moto X smartphone price drops to $100 on-contract from AT&T, Sprint, US Cellular
When the Moto X first launched, some folks thought the asking price was a bit higher considering the phone’s specs. Now it’s cheaper… if you buy it on-contract. [Android Police] - Feedly is offering lifetime subscriptions to Feedly Pro again… for $299
The good news is that if you didn’t get a lifetime Feedly Pro account back when the company was offering them for $99, there’s an option to pay for a liftime subscription again. The bad news is the price has gone up to $299. A monthly plan probably makes more sense for most folks — unless you really expect to still be using Feedly in a decade, or really want to support the company. - The folks at @ifixit tear down the new MacBook Pro 13″ Retina laptop
Apple’s latest Macbook is just about as pretty on the inside as it is on the outside. Unfortunately once you rip it apart, putting it back together again can be tricky. [ifixit] - HP Chromebook 11, Chromebook 14 compared
One has a bigger display and faster processor, the other is more portable and has a better looking screen. [OMG Chrome]
You can keep up on the latest headlines by following Liliputing on Twitter, Google+ and Facebook.
Charging customers for data and then charging them again for HOW they use it is just asinine.
Who’s business is it if I’m using that data on my phone or my tablet or what have you?
Once you sell me the water it should be mine to do with as I please.
…jerks
Root and use as you please 🙂
Rooting has no effect.
Rooting lets you use several apps that can provide hotspot functionality. I’m on Metro PCS – they also limit the functionality unless you pay, which is dumb. It’s a function of the OS. I use Open Garden WIFI on my phone – tethering without silly limitations.
Rooting most certainly DOES have an effect.
As an Nexus user, I have never paid for tethering on T-Mobile. I dont use any special software, I simply use the built-in Android hotspot.
I use it quite often to stream movies via Plex to my Wifi-only tablet when stuck in traffic. I have gone well over 2.5gb and have never heard a single thing from T-Mobile about it.
Other carriers such as Sprint (work phone) do lock down the service, and even rooted devices can no longer user tethering without the attached plan. T-Mobile however works like a charm.