Workinrvers wrote:

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oops forgot the "S" after the 3.

personal hot spot is turned on but and says "now discoverable" and says others can share using bluetooth.

the directions to connect using USB says:
1. plug iphone into your computer (done)
2, choose iphone from list of network services in your settings.

#2 is the problem, I don't see how or where to choose the iphone so we can connect.

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For a hard wire Tethering:

In Windows on the desktop – Click once on “My Network Places” – Then “right click”

Drop down window at the bottom after right click will show “Properties”

Click on Properties

Select “iPhone” – Click on it (Or whatever your iPhone’s name is) from the list

Menu will popup – Click on “Connect”

That should do it.

If you want to connect via Wifi to the iToy it is the same, exactly, as connecting to any other Wifi in the campground.  However, I have found with the iPhone that it gives you a limited time to get connected.  That is, once you turn on the hot spot via Wifi the iPhone Wifi won’t  stay available for very long if a connection is not made.

Works for us

I posed this question to my hubby/techno-guru (who uses his AT&T phone for tethering quite often). Here is his response:

A brief discussion of tethering to your cell phone.

Preamble: Most cell companies will NOT appreciate the following comments, and will specifically tell you that these options are NOT valid, or will
void your data plan usage on your cell phone. I say, (to quote my daughter...) " Meh!". These programs will make your life extremely easy, and are the EASIEST ways to directly, quickly and effectively get you tethered to one (or more computers) in your rig.

1) I use android. Most of this stuff is also available in some form, for Apple (IOS) phones.

Programs used:
A) PDANet.
FOR ANDROID: http://junefabrics.com/android/
FOR Iphone: http://junefabrics.com/iphone/index.php

This program will take your phone, and set you up with a dedicated connection to ONE PC, so you can tether your pc, and use it on the internet via your CELL phone''s data connection. This program is produced by June Fabrics, and is "Freeware/donateware", Free, initially, and you should pay after a while.

PDAnet works in two pieces.

a) a piece that you install on your (smart) cellphone.
b) a piece that installs on your pc.

when you click on the icon a) on your smartphone it starts a program that will look for data. you then PLUG in your USB cable into your PC.
the second program b) will either install, or start to run, and automagically (my favorite technical word!) connect your pc online.

B) FoxFI. http://foxfi.com/
Foxfi is a neat program that I discovered when PDAnet graciously put the program on their main screen. I give kudos to June Fabrics for knowing when NOT to reinvent the wheel, and give Foxfi the credit that they deserve.

FoxFi is the program I now use for 98% of my connectivity. (remember.. I'm an android man... THIS might be the point that throws one over the decision edge of ANDROID vs. IPHONE. (in my mind, it's a no brainer, android is cheaper, open source, and has more abilities for RV'ers.)

Foxfi takes your ANDROID smartphone (that also has wifi capabilities) and turns it into a FREE hotspot, complete with the ability to put a password into it, to create a "wired" access point.

There is ONE caveat to using Foxfi.
When it starts up, it will also start up the program built into your phone (by your carrier), that will start tethering. They warn you NOT to run that program, as it is the one you will likely pay your carrier the extra $$$ ($20/month) for.

Foxfi was FREEWARE, it is now trial-ware, and I purchased it the day it became such, as it is such a great solution.

Remember it's For Android users.
Iphone users weep. or start to read (extensively) about "JAIL-breaking" your phone, which would allow you to install a similar program.


Brief recap..

PDAnet:
install on phone. Plug cable from phone into PC. Phone will detect you have/don't have pdanet installed, and download the pc piece and then run it.
Poof. Automagically, you will be connected to the internet using your Cell phone's data connection.


FoxFi:

"FoxFi enables WiFi or Bluetooth Hotspot on your Android phone - no tether plan or rooting required! " (their website).
...
They continue on home page:

No rooting required, avoid hassle and risk of bricking
No need to install anything on the computer
Supports connection from any tablets including iPad, Kindle, Nook etc.
Supports connection from PS3, XBox, WII etc.
Supports multiple connections at the same time
Secured with WPA2. Avoids the security risk of enabling USB debugging.


I've highlighted the key reasons I use (and pay for FoxFI) above.

I hope these two programs will work for you as well as they work for me.

OH.. One more pointer.

NEVER ever install more then ONE program at a time on your (tablet/phone/pc/laptop), etc.
Always install, reboot, test to see if it works, and if so, THEN install next piece of software. (that suggestion comes from 30 years of Computer experience!!)

SO: I'd say:
Install PDAnet. run it on your phone, (connect a USB cable to your laptop, and install it your laptop. THEN connect to the internet.

THEN go to foxfi.com, download the software, and install and test.
I do recommend your using a wpa2 password to protect your new hotspot...

HOPE this helps a lot

Edit by moderator: Activated links.  Terry

FWIW to those who use Verizon – under Verizon’s new plan, where data is shared between devices from a pool of data, there is no additional charge to make your phone into a “hot spot.”  That is turn you phone’s internet connection into an access point such that your PC / Mac, whatever, even another phone, can connect to your phone and access the internet.

So, once you go to the shared data plan (right for some – not for all) you don’t need to “jail-break” the iToy or run additional programs to get to that pool of data you’ve already purchased for use  via Wifi for your laptops.  (More than one can connect at he same time.  Limit is 5 connections at one time if I recall correctly.)

Never investigated the AT&T plan as their converge doesn’t work for us in so many places.  YMMV

Bill