The release appears to be disabling a hack that allows users to use the iPhone 3G and 3GS as a wireless broadband modems for laptops and PCs, using their cell provider’s data plan.

This capability – known as tethering – was touted as one of the benefits of version 3.0 of iPhone software, when Apple sang its praises at its Worldwide Developers Conference last month. Unfortunately, Apple also announced at that time that the iPhone’s exclusive US carrier, AT&T, wouldn’t support tethering until it was damn well good and ready.

For those that can’t read between the lines, I”ll explain it simply. You can’t use tethering because of the anti-competitive and exclusive deals that Apple signed with certain mobile carriers. It means that services will not be offered as applications become available, instead allowing some third parties to dictate what you can or can’t do with your phone. It means that creative products and applications will be stifled until a proper way to fleece you out of your money has been thought-up. I would also hazard a guess, that this was not Apple’s own idea, but rather a special request by AT&T, and that should make it much more annoying. How does it feel iUsers (or should I say iUsed?) that some corporation was able to tell the manufacturer of your precious phone that they want certain features disabled. Does it feel like jailhouse love with no lubricant? It should.

If AT&T feels like taking a year or two “officially” allow tethering, because they might not want to upgrade their networks right way, well too bad for you iUser. Your phone provider signed an exclusive deal with a carrier and you can kiss their ass once you have passed over your hard-earned money.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/07/15/iphone_beta_disables_tethering/

www.system-network-solutions.com

Another huge oversight, imo, is the fact the if someone does purchase and iPhone and gets suckered into a 3 year deal, what happens if they dont like the phone because it turns out to be a heap of junk? The obvious option would be to perhaps sell the iPhone on Ebay and then buy a new one. But, what about the 3 year contract you signed for the iPhone data plan? Guess what?! You’re out of luck! It looks like you’ll be paying that $30+ per month regardless. At least that’s what I’ve been told by several Rogers employees.

I can’t deny the fact that I really want an iPhone as well. I am, however, trying to be patient. When the Blackberry BOLD launches, which should be any day now, I will spend time with both devices and make the smart decision then.

For all of you that bought an iPhone from Rogers today, launch day – July 11/08. God speed.

Personally, I am a Blackberry fan and have been for just over two years. Not to say that the iPhone hasnt impressed me, because believe me it has. It just seems that the first incarnation of the iPhone was flawed in so many ways. At the time, RIMs response was the Blackberry Curve, although I dont think this was a “real” response as much as it was decent timing. Realistically, other than the reputation RIM has built thus far with its handheld devices the Curve really didnt offer much to the savvy, youthful business user, it was merely less buggy than the iPhone and was supported on Canadian networks such as Rogers.

Am I anxious for the release of the Blackberry Bold? Hell yes. However, that excitement was clouded today by the news of the 3G iPhone coming to Rogers around the same time and for significantly less. They will be selling the 16Gb version for a mere $299. The Bold, which boasts a 1Gb internal memory, is selling for $499 plus!

My original reason for buying a Blackberry was the full QWERTY keyboard. It was difficult, not mention very unsafe, to respond to emails while driving without the tactile feel of a keyboard. After playing with a friends iPhone however, it seems that the trade off for functionality is tremendous. Wi-Fi, GPS, Push mail and a slew of features that Blackberry is just touching upon now are things that have been mastered by Apple in the past year. Im torn.

In the end, the decision will not be an easy one, and since I have unlimited data either way I doubt very much that the price plans will be the determining factor… Unless Rogers decides to do something

really stupid and create a data package specifically for the iPhone which will allow them rape us, yet again.