Nullriver Releases Official iPhone Tethering Application On App Store [Update: Remove

Michael Johnston · July 31st, 2008, 08:41 PM

In an unexpected twist of events, Nullriver has officially released NetShare, an Apple-approved iPhone tethering application, onto the App Store. The purpose of the application is to share an iPhone's Internet connection with other devices over Wi-Fi, essentially making the iPhone into an on-the-go Wi-Fi hotspot. A similar solution exists for hacked iPhones, although it requires jailbreking and Terminal knowledge to implement.

The application is available for $9.99 from the App Store, although we're struggling to understand how it received Apple's stamp of approval. We haven't tried it yet, although it looks like you simply open the application and it starts sharing your phone's Internet connection with no further action. We assume that, in contrast to the jailbreak solution, it likely terminates as soon as you leave the app.

This sounds all well and good until you realize that AT&T may come after you for using such a tool. If you're the cautious type, it may be prudent to wait on this app until more people have a chance to potentially get burned by their respective cell carriers.

If you try it, let us know how it works!

Update: Sorry folks! It looks like Apple changed their minds in a hurry and pulled the app from the store. We did get a chance to try the app, though and it works as advertised. Nullriver has responded in a MacRumors thread to the take-down.

Update #2: It's back!

**apple** - July 31st, 2008, 09:14 PM #2

This is another clear statement that the apple seal is only protecting apple's potential business with the apple seal. Apple is not checking if applications are safe for the consumer(privacy, contact list etc.) or for it's business partners(ATT). I'm glad we have this applications ability but at some point apple needs to let us know what they are checking.

One concern, do we have any assurance that someone cannot retrieve data from our phones once it's acting as a mobile hotspot...

**Not for me.** - July 31st, 2008, 09:26 PM #3

Well I tried it and got them connected in all, but it isn't working still. $10 for nothing

...Anyone else have positive feedback? (how did you do it?)

**No longer....** - July 31st, 2008, 09:34 PM #4

I went to download the application, but it has been pulled

grady15 · **Works Great** - July 31st, 2008, 09:42 PM #5

This app works great. it takes a little bit of configuration but they show you exactly how to do it. As long a we dont get burned by att its totally awesome!!!

**unavailable** - July 31st, 2008, 09:47 PM #6

they took it already off...

jtenenb · July 31st, 2008, 09:50 PM #7

If you try to buy the NetShare App now it wont let you. I guess someone fell asleap at the switch when the approved the app in the first place.

jtenenb · July 31st, 2008, 09:52 PM #8

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unregistered

they took it already off...

Is there anyway nullriver can just distribute it via cydia this app store thing is nuts if they screwed around with nullriver by putting it up and then pulling it.

izmikiar · July 31st, 2008, 10:11 PM #9

looks it is still in the AppStore! anyone?

July 31st, 2008, 10:30 PM #10

Hopefully nullriver will distribute it via Installer (when available) or Cydia. If not the people who downloaded the app before they pulled it should send it over to the guys at hacklabs who have been hacking iPhone apps. Hopefully we can get a hacked version of this app too.

javaGuru · July 31st, 2008, 10:31 PM #11

I believe the app wasn't pulled but rather not made available to the US App Store in iTunes. I believe iPhone developers have the ability to make their apps only available in certain nations. The error message I just got was that it was not available in the US App Store.

I hope I will be reimbursed for its cost since it might be feasible for me to actually use it since AT&T usually charges more for their data tethering plans.

**Too bad.** - July 31st, 2008, 10:39 PM #12

If this app was in the store, I would order an iphone tomorrow. Until it tethers, it's useless to mobile powerusers.

**I got it** - July 31st, 2008, 10:41 PM #13

I snatched it up right after I saw it in the appstore because i knew it wouldnt last. It still works like a dream for me because I am in a 3G hotspot. I hope it will continue to work because I love this thing

grady15 · **Same for me** - July 31st, 2008, 10:45 PM #14

I also got it as soon as i saw it and man it really is cool. I really hope apple dose not take it away (if there really is a way to do that). Best app so far on the app store to bad it did not last

imagine engine · July 31st, 2008, 10:46 PM #15

Quote:

Originally Posted by javaGuru

I believe the app wasn't pulled but rather not made available to the US App Store in iTunes. I believe iPhone developers have the ability to make their apps only available in certain nations. The error message I just got was that it was not available in the US App Store.

I hope I will be reimbursed for its cost since it might be feasible for me to actually use it since AT&T usually charges more for their data tethering plans.

Complete BS for Apple to pull it from the App Store. I was like "WTF?" when I got an error that it wasn't available in the iTunes Canada App Store when trying to buy it. I was hoping a programmer would offer a simplified way to tether the iPhone 3G to a laptop so as to use HSPA/EDGE when not in WIFI range or unable to use a landline ISP service such as when at the cottage, etc. Apple seriously needs to rethink their stance on this issue as not every carrier is against tethering. I pay $30.00 for 6 GB data with Rogers on my iPhone 3G and no where does it state I can't use it for tethering. Rogers HSPA network coverage and speed is no where near as slow as AT&T HSPA. If they don't want to offer it to USA customers due to AT&T restrictions then at least open it to other countries.

izmikiar · **gone..** - July 31st, 2008, 10:47 PM #16

it is GONE. as of 7:30pm pac. time it is not longer available. too bad!

javaGuru · July 31st, 2008, 10:52 PM #17

Quote:

Originally Posted by imagine engine

Complete BS for Apple to pull it from the App Store. I was like "WTF?" when I got an error that it wasn't available in the iTunes Canada App Store when trying to buy it. I was hoping a programmer would offer a simplified way to tether the iPhone 3G to a laptop so as to use HSPA/EDGE when not in WIFI range or unable to use a landline ISP service such as when at the cottage, etc. Apple seriously needs to rethink their stance on this issue as not every carrier is against tethering. I pay $30.00 for 6 GB data with Rogers on my iPhone 3G and no where does it state I can't use it for tethering. Rogers HSPA network coverage and speed is no where near as slow as AT&T HSPA. If they don't want to offer it to USA customers due to AT&T restrictions then at least open it to other countries.

I hear ya man and I agree with ya. I don't really think the problem is Apple I think it's more of a problem with AT&T. They really need to establish a tethering plan for the iPhone. I actually own an AT&T Tilt as well and I pay too much for its tethering plan which costs me $60/month. The tethering plan can be expensive since the data usage tends to go way up.

billfarmer · July 31st, 2008, 11:01 PM

If you search on NullRiver, you do find the NetShare app with it's 14 reviews and 4 stars. Unfortunately (at least here in Oregon on 7/31 at 8p) it is not available for download. Darn.

July 31st, 2008, 11:17 PM

Well, here in the Great White North we finally got a promotional plan that doesn't completely rip us off... the $30 for 6GB data available for data devices, iPhones included ALLOWS for tethering and this app would have been great for us. Unfortunately it appears its been pulled from all the stores, the localized Canadian one included. Boo.

August 1st, 2008, 12:07 AM #20

hope theres a copy on some web site i bet it would be easier to get the cracked version than go through all the terminal stuff!

LimboMan Guest Posts: n/a	Why not available for us Canadians, at least! - July 31st, 2008, 11:17 PM #19
LimboMan Guest Posts: n/a	Well, here in the Great White North we finally got a promotional plan that doesn't completely rip us off... the $30 for 6GB data available for data devices, iPhones included ALLOWS for tethering and this app would have been great for us. Unfortunately it appears its been pulled from all the stores, the localized Canadian one included. Boo.

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Michael Johnston This is my fricken site, durrrr Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Rockford, IL Posts: 2,696 Thanks: 11 Thanked 45 Times in 40 Posts	Nullriver Releases Official iPhone Tethering Application On App Store [Update: Remove - July 31st, 2008, 08:41 PM #1
	<script language="JavaScript" src="http://adserver1.backbeatmedia.com/servlet/ajrotator/13894/222/viewJScript?pool=13886&type=3158&pos=20&zone=5000"></script> In an unexpected twist of events, Nullriver has officially released NetShare, an Apple-approved iPhone tethering application, onto the App Store. The purpose of the application is to share an iPhone's Internet connection with other devices over Wi-Fi, essentially making the iPhone into an on-the-go Wi-Fi hotspot. A similar solution exists for hacked iPhones, although it requires jailbreking and Terminal knowledge to implement. The application is available for $9.99 from the App Store, although we're struggling to understand how it received Apple's stamp of approval. We haven't tried it yet, although it looks like you simply open the application and it starts sharing your phone's Internet connection with no further action. We assume that, in contrast to the jailbreak solution, it likely terminates as soon as you leave the app. This sounds all well and good until you realize that AT&T may come after you for using such a tool. If you're the cautious type, it may be prudent to wait on this app until more people have a chance to potentially get burned by their respective cell carriers. If you try it, let us know how it works! Update: Sorry folks! It looks like Apple changed their minds in a hurry and pulled the app from the store. We did get a chance to try the app, though and it works as advertised. Nullriver has responded in a MacRumors thread to the take-down. Update #2: It's back! __________________ About my iPhone: iPhone & Color: White 32GB iPhone 3GS iPhone Version: Whatever the latest is because I'm crazy like that. Computer & OS: 15" Unibody MacBook Pro + OS X Leopard 10.5 AIM: iPhoneAlley twitter: MichaelJohnston

Joe V Guest Posts: n/a	apple - July 31st, 2008, 09:14 PM #2
Joe V Guest Posts: n/a	This is another clear statement that the apple seal is only protecting apple's potential business with the apple seal. Apple is not checking if applications are safe for the consumer(privacy, contact list etc.) or for it's business partners(ATT). I'm glad we have this applications ability but at some point apple needs to let us know what they are checking. One concern, do we have any assurance that someone cannot retrieve data from our phones once it's acting as a mobile hotspot...

Ryanhawiya Guest Posts: n/a	Not for me. - July 31st, 2008, 09:26 PM #3
Ryanhawiya Guest Posts: n/a	Well I tried it and got them connected in all, but it isn't working still. $10 for nothing ...Anyone else have positive feedback? (how did you do it?)

eMaz Guest Posts: n/a	No longer.... - July 31st, 2008, 09:34 PM #4
eMaz Guest Posts: n/a	I went to download the application, but it has been pulled

grady15 New Recruit Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Works Great - July 31st, 2008, 09:42 PM #5
	This app works great. it takes a little bit of configuration but they show you exactly how to do it. As long a we dont get burned by att its totally awesome!!! __________________ ---------------------------------------------- White iPhone 3G Aluminum Mac Book 2.4ghz, ssd, 4g ram iMac 20'

Unregistered Guest Posts: n/a	unavailable - July 31st, 2008, 09:47 PM #6
Unregistered Guest Posts: n/a	they took it already off...

jtenenb Forum Lurker Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	July 31st, 2008, 09:50 PM #7
	If you try to buy the NetShare App now it wont let you. I guess someone fell asleap at the switch when the approved the app in the first place.

izmikiar New Recruit Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 19 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	July 31st, 2008, 10:11 PM #9
	looks it is still in the AppStore! anyone?

Unregistered Guest Posts: n/a	July 31st, 2008, 10:30 PM #10
Unregistered Guest Posts: n/a	Hopefully nullriver will distribute it via Installer (when available) or Cydia. If not the people who downloaded the app before they pulled it should send it over to the guys at hacklabs who have been hacking iPhone apps. Hopefully we can get a hacked version of this app too.

javaGuru New Recruit Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 22 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	July 31st, 2008, 10:31 PM #11
	I believe the app wasn't pulled but rather not made available to the US App Store in iTunes. I believe iPhone developers have the ability to make their apps only available in certain nations. The error message I just got was that it was not available in the US App Store. I hope I will be reimbursed for its cost since it might be feasible for me to actually use it since AT&T usually charges more for their data tethering plans.

PChrome Guest Posts: n/a	Too bad. - July 31st, 2008, 10:39 PM #12
PChrome Guest Posts: n/a	If this app was in the store, I would order an iphone tomorrow. Until it tethers, it's useless to mobile powerusers.

Unregistered Guest Posts: n/a	I got it - July 31st, 2008, 10:41 PM #13
Unregistered Guest Posts: n/a	I snatched it up right after I saw it in the appstore because i knew it wouldnt last. It still works like a dream for me because I am in a 3G hotspot. I hope it will continue to work because I love this thing

grady15 New Recruit Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 15 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Same for me - July 31st, 2008, 10:45 PM #14
	I also got it as soon as i saw it and man it really is cool. I really hope apple dose not take it away (if there really is a way to do that). Best app so far on the app store to bad it did not last __________________ ---------------------------------------------- White iPhone 3G Aluminum Mac Book 2.4ghz, ssd, 4g ram iMac 20'

izmikiar New Recruit Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 19 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	gone.. - July 31st, 2008, 10:47 PM #16
	it is GONE. as of 7:30pm pac. time it is not longer available. too bad!

billfarmer Forum Lurker Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	It's not there but some metadata is - July 31st, 2008, 11:01 PM #18
	If you search on NullRiver, you do find the NetShare app with it's 14 reviews and 4 stars. Unfortunately (at least here in Oregon on 7/31 at 8p) it is not available for download. Darn.

Unregistered Guest Posts: n/a	August 1st, 2008, 12:07 AM #20
Unregistered Guest Posts: n/a	hope theres a copy on some web site i bet it would be easier to get the cracked version than go through all the terminal stuff!