QUESTION:
Ok, Mark:
Nice going, I think. Only you very successfully blew me out of the water with this one. (grin) So, if I understand correctly, you are using your iPhone as a wifi hotspot for your netbook? I’ve often wondered about the possibility of doing that, though only in a very rudimentary sense. I’m not understanding the link to Verizon here, though. Since the networks are different, and your iPhone’s at&t. In any case, nice write-up, and I’m intrigued. WOW do I have a lot to learn (smile).
ANSWER:
Hello and thank you.
You almost have it right; except the result is the reverse of your conclusion.
Therefore, in this case, my Netbook is acting as a WiFi HotSpot for my iPhone. This will allow me to, among other things, continue to use those iPhone apps that either require or work better with a WiFi connection to the Internet.
Think of it like this:
I’m in a motel room in Flunk-Bottom, Ohio and the motel, a Motel 2 by the way (Smile) does not have any Internet connection, not to mention roach repellant!!! (Big Smile)
Anyway, a few friends meet me in my motel room to play some “Go fish.” Now all of us have SmartPhones some Windows Mobile, others iPhone, etc. We all want to connect to the Internet for various reasons, for me, so I can call my cousin, via Skype, and tell her that I have skipped bail so there’s no need for her to show up in court, tomorrow!!! (Just Kidding!!!) I also want to download some very big apps and so forth.
OK, now remember, none of us have broadband Internet connections; in fact, the best that my Windows Mobile friends can do is search the web via Edge/3G or something. Remember, I can do the same but, at present, Skype on the iPhone can only be used via WiFi.
Fortunately, I have a Wireless Air Card. The primary purpose of an Air Card is to allow computers to connect to the Internet much faster than they could using the standard Internet protocol.
In this scenario, while I can surf the web on my Netbook, with the Air Card attached to it acting as a broadband MODEM, my iPhone is left out in the proverbial cold, as far as Skype is concerned.
Yes, I could make a Skype call directly from my Netbook but that would be too “old-school”. Besides, not only do I wish to have my iPhone connected to the Intenet via WiFi, I also want to show-off how much smarter I am than they, my friends who are visiting me in the Motel 2. (I’m still Smiling)
So, by setting up an ad-hoc network, I can turn my Netbook into a WiFi router.
Once I’ve done this, anyone within range of my Netbook, about 30 feet or so, can connect to my Netbook and have access to the Internet using that Air Card that is actually attached to the Netbook. Don’t worry about security for I can encrypt the connection just as I would on a conventional router.
Now keep in mind that from the iPhone’s (or any Smartphone as far as that
goes) perspective, it is simply online via Wifi.
So, here’s how it looks. My iPhone is connected to my Netbook via WiFi and the Netbook is connected to the Internet via the Air Card; in effect, the Netbook is merely a gateway to the Net–a 250-dollar gateway but, simply a gateway, nevertheless. And, since my Netbook is acting as a WiFi HotSpot, those friends of mine can also connect to the Internet via my ad-hoc enabled NetBook, all at the same time, and enjoy broadband connectivity.
The reason I use Verizon Wireless Air Cards is because they get faster feeds than other brands.
My friend, I know you have a lot to learn and, in a way, I envy you. Think of wireless connection like gasoline. It doesn’t matter what brand of gas you put into a car for there is a standard formula that all gas must meet in order to be sold; however some gasoline mixtures have a higher concentration of octane which may benefit some fuel-injection systems; but, regardless of the brand, all gas sold, will make your car go.
Take Care and remember to relish the richness of learning for it is truly a marvelous thing.
Most Sincerely,
