A tablet PC is a great way to surf the web, read emails and even catch-up on TV while you're on the go, especially since it's much more comfortable looking at a tablet's larger screen compared to the smaller display of a smartphone. But, if you've got a Wi-Fi only tablet PC, and there's no wireless network in range you're restricted from accessing the net.
Use your Wi-Fi tablet even when you're not in range of a wireless network
However, owners of a Wi-Fi enabled tablet device, who also use a Google Android smartphone, actually have a solution at hand. You can turn your handset into a portable Wi-Fi hotspot using your device's 3G connection, and then connect your tablet to this to access the web, by implementing a process that's called 'tethering'.
Google introduced the portable Wi-Fi hotspot feature in version 2.2 of the mobile platform, which is known as Froyo. Those with smartphones running Google Android 2.1 or lower, you'll need to download an app such as PDANet or Easy Tether. However, some handsets, such as the Samsung Galaxy S, offer a tethering function despite not running Android 2.2.
Before you implement the steps below, smartphone owners should remember to check their network's terms and conditions on tethering (as under some networks it’s not allowed). Furthermore, keep an eye on your data allowance as depending on your web activities you could find yourself hitting your mobile data cap a lot quicker than you think, which subsequently could result in an unwanted charge
Step one
You’ll need to begin by turning on the portable Wi-Fi hotspot function on your Google Android handset. From the Home Screen, select the Settings menu. Then open Wireless & Networks and check the box next to Portable Wi-Fi hotspot.
Step two
Now press Portable Wi-Fi Hotspot settings to obtain the password to ensure your tablet can connect to the network.
Step three
Pick up your tablet and open the Settings menu. Select Wi-Fi Settings from the list displayed.
Step four
Select the handset from the list of Wi-Fi networks within range. In our case it was called AndroidAP9892.
Step five
Next you’ll be required to enter the password to access the Wi-Fi network. Press OK.
Step six
Now the tablet will obtain the IP address and when completed will connect to the network, letting you surf the web from your tablet to your heart’s content.
Comments
Ikra Jabbar said: Im using my android 23 tablet and im in the wireless setting section but it doesnt display anything like the picture above i just have the wifi settings and vpn and thats it nothing else
hoggleboggle said: Tethering is a very tricky subject with the majority of networks in the UK From what I could establish researching a new contract for myself that allowed tethering- O2 wont allow any tethering- ORANGE contracts after September 2011 allow tethering charging itseparatelyeither as mobile broadband or 1 per day charge- VIRGIN arent very clear on the subject but I from what I could gather they simply charge you at the per MB data rate regardless of inclusive data packages- THREE actually promote tethering and VoIP as a feature with their ONE package- T-MOBILE again not clear They seem to allow tethering for contracts after September 30th 2011 up to 500MB a month but forbid it on contracts prior to this date- VODAPHONE will charge you 5 a month for 500MB of data tethering independentof any inclusive contract data allowance or a 15 bolt-on for 2GBI think that covers most of them Personally I went with three but Tmobile and Vodaphone look pretty good too