Review: PdaNet (Look Ma’ No Proxy!)
Author: Nic Elder | Posted under: Jailbreak, ReviewsTags: free apps, Jailbreak, netshare, tethering, Utilities
PdaNet 1.31 | Published by June Fabrics | Via Cydia | Free | Released: 10-1-08
So a while back I wrote about how to get Netshare’s tethering functionality without Netshare. Since the original iPhone I’ve been wondering why no one has created a transparent proxy or router program for sharing the phone’s internet connection.
Finally our friends at June Fabrics have answered the call. I have been a long time June Fabrics customer, using their PDANet for Windows Mobile editions on numerous phones throughout the years. Needless to say I was really excited when I saw PdaNet listed on Cydia last week, and couldn’t wait to try it.
Functionality
PdaNet is a true internet connection sharing application. It allows you to use your iPhone’s 3G or Edge connection with any internet application. There are no proxies to configure and no need for special tunneling programs. It connects to your computer using the built in WiFi connection on the phone, and for 3G users allows you to use the internet at DSL speeds.
Setting up and running PdaNet is a breeze.
On the Windows Mobile version you were required to install both a client on the phone and the computer connecting, however on the iPhone it’s as simple as creating an ad-hoc WiFi network on your computer and joining your phone to it.
If you are worried about others in the vicinity sharing your connection with you, you may set the “Require Password” feature when you create the network. On a Windows machine (depending on the version) you are looking for an option to ‘Create Ad-Hoc Network’ or ‘Create New Wireless Network’.
On both machines you can leave the IP configuration at ‘DHCP’ or ‘Automatically Assigned’. PdaNet will take care of how to they talk to eachother. After you have the two joined together, the only step left is to launch PdaNet and enable the WiFi router.
After a few seconds you can launch your web browser, and browse to your favorite site (we recommend frequent stops to http://www.AppleiPhoneApps.com). Since this is a true routing application, you may also open any other internet application; chat, remote desktop, irc, ftp, and the list goes on.
I ran a few speed tests from SpeedTest.net and they were mostly consistant. The results were great as far as download and upload speeds go, though the ping time is not fantastic if you had planned on using your XBox360 over 3G.
The application runs in the background (another great feature). So even if you’re using your iPhone’s 3G connection on your comp, you can also use the phone for other functions such as texting and receiving or making calls.
Due to the limitations of the Edge network, however, you will not be able to use any phone features while on the net, but you can still play games and run other non-voice applications.
Because PdaNet runs in the background you MUST also remember to shut the router off when you are finished. It will drain your battery faster than you think.
Summary
This application blows anything and everything else available out of the water. Due to Apple’s delayed processing and strict rules, June Fabrics was unable to get the application into the App Store (as of yet), so this is only for you jailbreakers at the moment.
The good news about that? PdaNet is free (also at the moment). If you are a road warrior or tired of paying that stupid hourly charge at Starbucks, then this is a must-get application. I applaud June Fabrics for bringing full internet sharing to the phone. I can now sell my Sync since I was only using it as a WiFi router anyway (with PdaNet for Windows Mobile of course).
The only downside to the application is that it will drain your battery. I recommend leaving your phone plugged into your laptop or another power source while in use. This isn’t an iPhone related issue. Most internet sharing applications have the same side effect.
Usability: 5 / 5
Value: 5 / 5
Utility: 5 / 5
Aesthetics: N/A
Looks cool!
Nic I want to know what background and what hack you did on the screen shots for the cool buttons at the bottom?
Sean on October 2nd, 2008 at 9:50 am
This is the app I’ve been waiting for. I love simplicity.. hence the Mac fan.
The hack he has is the old HackaShaq. It’s an hack elder to the current iPhone hack. The theme he uses is WMP.
Name... on October 2nd, 2008 at 10:06 am
i also want to know what background and what theme that is??????
alex on October 2nd, 2008 at 10:18 am
@alex & sean: As I think the poster was trying to say in comment 2, the theme is ‘WMP11′ (also available in cydia). The background image is included in the theme. It requires Winterboard (also available in cydia)
Nic Elder on October 2nd, 2008 at 10:22 am
iphonemodem is also a very neat program to use internet connection too.
salar on October 2nd, 2008 at 9:03 pm
@salar: iPhoneModem indeed was a neat program. However it still requires you to run configuration software on the computer, and also only works with proxy aware applications. You can not use applications such as Remote Desktop, VPN, or Voice applications. I think at the moment PdaNet is the only true Internet sharing solution.
Nic Elder on October 2nd, 2008 at 9:09 pm
I did not know that, Thank you
I just tried the PdaNet and its very neat. I really like the background feature plus its free. Now I feel bad paying 10 bucks for iPhoneModem
Salar on October 2nd, 2008 at 9:17 pm
@Salar: Don’t feel bad.. PdaNet was not available till last week, prior to that iPhoneModem was a very easy way to get on the web.
Nic Elder on October 2nd, 2008 at 9:26 pm
random question
is there anywhere on your website that I can post request or ask if I have any questions?
Thank you for your great website
Salar on October 2nd, 2008 at 10:27 pm
@Salar: Sure you can always ask questions in the comments of any of our posts, you may also fill out the ‘Contact Us’ by clicking the link below, or clicking on the ‘Contact Us’ button in the top header of every page. We’ll try to answer any questions we can, if we don’t know the answer we’ll do our best to find it for you.
http://www.appleiphoneapps.com/contact-us/
Nic Elder on October 2nd, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Thank you so much. I just have a question its not related to this post at all.
Do you know of any app that can records Phone calls?
Salar on October 2nd, 2008 at 10:34 pm
@Salar: There is an app in cydia called ‘SpoofApp3g’ that claims to record calls, I have not tried it, but let me know how it works for you. Be aware that many states have laws regarding recording phone calls. Most states you must make the party on the other end of the line aware they are being recorded. In California it’s a felony to record someone w/out their knowledge.
Nic Elder on October 2nd, 2008 at 10:57 pm
@Salar: After examining SpoofApp, it requires you to purchase minutes from them, and make your calls through their gateway. It appears that the OS locks developers from recording from the Mic while the Mic is in use by another application.
Nic Elder on October 2nd, 2008 at 11:07 pm
yeah I just downloaded it and it gives you only 5 free mins.
Thats sucks hopefully someone can hack this.
Salar on October 2nd, 2008 at 11:36 pm
[...] via [appleiphoneapps] [...]
Recensione Di PdaNet Per iPhone, Utilizziamo iPhone Come Modem | 3 sul Blog - Tech, Fun e Web 2.0 on October 5th, 2008 at 12:02 am
hey all, just tried PdaNet and it works really well, EXCEPT that my laptop gets disconnected from my network (or something else happens?) when my phone receives a call or sms… is there something simple I’ve forgotten to do?
thanks, J.
jason on October 23rd, 2008 at 12:23 am
@jason: if you are on 3G networks then you may use the phone, and data at the same time with no issues, however if you are only on Edge due to network limitations the phone will take precedence over the data connection and put it on hold. Usually TXT messages don’t cause a disconnect, however on EDGE phone calls will definitely kill your data connection. When you plan on being on the computer you may set call forwarding to another number so that you don’t get disconnected.
Nic Elder on October 23rd, 2008 at 10:21 am
Thanks Nic.
jason on October 23rd, 2008 at 1:09 pm