First off, my laptop works fine with my phone's ad-hoc tether, but i want to use internet on my psp and vita later down the road as well when i need it, but i can't find any way to tether my X10 other than in ad-hoc mode, which is not supported by most consoles/handhelds.
i found a few guides but it wouldn't work. Would either not broadcast anything or do ad-hoc mode with various apps.
Any way to tether X10 in infrastructure mode instead of ad-hoc?
Ok, so i tried everything and only phone's native tether (under settings, stock ROM latest updates) gives infrastructure, or at least what seems like it, problem arises when i want to access internet and get DNS server error... there are pretty much no settings to mess with there so i am at a loss really. USB tether gives no internet to my laptop either over the native tether under settings.
wireless tether for root users does however work perfectly, but only in ad-hoc mode. The beta version people use on different phones (change device profile select one of the master methods and go) to get infrastructure instead of ad-hoc doesn't work at all, i haven't tried all profiles but on few i tried even though app says tether is on no devices see it, SSID broadcast set to ON.
So any ideas? Could it be provider nonsense? i bought it second hand and it seems to have been unlocked from Orange, but ROM doesn't seem to have all the bloatware from Orange(just news and traffic pretty much) without that I wouldn't even have noticed that it is from Orange.
Would flashing a different ROM help? could it be Orange's ROM is blocking it? Otherwise i might need a new phone
Android isn't able to detect ad-hoc network. There is a program called "connectify" to make discoverable version of ad-hoc for android devices
jakuburban said:
Android isn't able to detect ad-hoc network. There is a program called "connectify" to make discoverable version of ad-hoc for android devices
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want to tether my ps vita and my laptop to my SE xperia X10. i use tether app on my phone to share phone's internet with my console and laptop when i am not home.
also on my laptop i got intel's my wifi app that allows me to rebeam/share internet which is sufficient for my need on my laptop, though thanks for the tip
problem is making my phone tether in infrastructure and not ad-hoc mode. i gone in as much depth as i can about it in the last post, though if you need any more info i'd be glad to provide it if it would help to find a solution...
It is just a stock Xperia X10 with all official updates and rooted... 2.3.3android 2,1,71baseband.
would using a different rom help?
un4tural said:
I want to tether my ps vita and my laptop to my SE xperia X10. i use tether app on my phone to share phone's internet with my console and laptop when i am not home.
also on my laptop i got intel's my wifi app that allows me to rebeam/share internet which is sufficient for my need on my laptop, though thanks for the tip
problem is making my phone tether in infrastructure and not ad-hoc mode. i gone in as much depth as i can about it in the last post, though if you need any more info i'd be glad to provide it if it would help to find a solution...
It is just a stock Xperia X10 with all official updates and rooted... 2.3.3android 2,1,71baseband.
would using a different rom help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, sorry but I don't know how to do that, but changing ROM won't help
un4tural said:
I want to tether my ps vita and my laptop to my SE xperia X10. i use tether app on my phone to share phone's internet with my console and laptop when i am not home.
also on my laptop i got intel's my wifi app that allows me to rebeam/share internet which is sufficient for my need on my laptop, though thanks for the tip
problem is making my phone tether in infrastructure and not ad-hoc mode. i gone in as much depth as i can about it in the last post, though if you need any more info i'd be glad to provide it if it would help to find a solution...
It is just a stock Xperia X10 with all official updates and rooted... 2.3.3android 2,1,71baseband.
would using a different rom help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
[ROM] Wolfs TW Gingerbread | Feel the difference | V7b6 [stable] | 03/12/2011
^ This rom supports infrastructure mode tethering.
I am in the same boat as you friend but I want a different custom rom. I have upgraded my touchpad to ICS which has no support for ad-hoc networks.
I was using the stock rom above for awhile which supported infrastructure mode which was working perfectly but in my world I want to stick with Miui on my x10.
I updated the wifi teather app on the miui rom to the newest one and was playing with the different setting for different devices. I was able to get the tether app to start in master mode with some of the settings for other devices but I was never able to get the touchpad to fully connect to one of these networks. I had it connect briefly when I put a static ip matching the settings on the wifi tether app but it would not make any internet connection.
If we have the ability in a stock rom, why can't it be ported?
Hi,
I created ad hoc connection on my Windows 7. But my galaxy s3 can't detect it.
I tried both using Wi-Fi Direct feature, and regular WiFi. But S3 doesn't see that ad-hoc connection.
Why ? Anyone was able to do that ?
Regards,
Pawel
Most Android phones can't see Ad-hoc connections due to limitations (too many issues) in the underlying Linux library and service.
CM9 can see and use it just fine, and there is a fix for most other phones.
Roughly 9% of all computers are capable of running the network card in Host-mode and not only adhoc, so try using Connectify which builds a true Wifi accesspoint.
If it's only to share data between the phone and computer, you can afaik also use the Wifi AP in the phone to connect both.
I've been trying every fix I can find for S3 but everything breaks the Wifi connection, so does anyone know any way to get it working? Because obviously you can setup most routers not to use Ad Hoc but I tried to tether to some Symbian phones but they can only create an Ad Hoc connection.
Because obviously you can setup most routers not to use Ad Hoc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most routers actually WONT use ad-hoc unless specially configured to do so. And many don't even know the concept of mesh networks =)
I tried to tether to some Symbian phones but they can only create an Ad Hoc connection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Test if the following (still) works:
http://acetips.wordpress.com/2011/10/07/reverse-wifi-tethering/
It uses your phone's full-fledged Wifi AP to reverse-tether to another phone.
However it requires a somewhat complicated setup on your Symbian phone which I'm not sure it can handle.
Alternatively you need an extended wpa_supplicant binary to handle ad-hoc.
I'm not sure if any good ones exist, except for CM9. (Which might/will be incompatible with Stock ROM's)
You can use connectify for windows to create connection in the form of Access point
As far as I remember the Nokia N900 is the only one capable of that because it runs on Linux but no version of Symbian can do this because even custom Roms on there consists of basic file swapping and no real system access, and I did used to use Ad-Hoc enabler but that does just kill the Wifi connection now, and they removed that from the market now because they say they updating it hopefully for ICS.
Connectify has one drawback. You can't share 3g/4g connections on the PC, unless you have a premium version.
VirtualRouter doesn't work on my system for unknown reasons. It says service not started, even when it actually is.
I tried VirtualWifiRouter from wwwDOTvirtualwifirouterDOTcom. Seriously good..
Hi all.
I have a 3G (HSDPA) mobile phone, not Android nor a smart phone, which has Bluetooth DUN profile: I can already tether my laptop to it via Bluetooth.
I'm planning to buy a WiFi only tablet running Android and would like to tether it to my mobile phone the same way as the laptop.
I've searched through the forums here at XDA with (apparent) no luck.
Is there any application/ROM for Android tablets that supports such a use?
I've tried a few Android phones (both stock and modded), but they don't seem to support Bluetooth tethering.
Is there any hint, reference, link or advice?
I am not scared to eventually do that in command line on the tablet, though.
Please don't suggest WiFi tethering (as the phone has no WiFi) or USB tethering as both the tablet and the phone just work as devices, not host.
Thanks in advance.
No way?
Depends on the tablet you purchase. I have an Archos 101G9 Turbo tablet and an old Nokia E71 phone. I cannot tether the tablet to the phone through the bluetooth settings menu as it just does NOT show any profiles for the phone. I can however tether the tablet to my phone via command line commands. But this requires the tablet to be rooted in order to use such commands.
Djirin said:
Depends on the tablet you purchase. I have an Archos 101G9 Turbo tablet and an old Nokia E71 phone. I cannot tether the tablet to the phone through the bluetooth settings menu as it just does NOT show any profiles for the phone. I can however tether the tablet to my phone via command line commands. But this requires the tablet to be rooted in order to use such commands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, rooting is almost mandatory to have any non-trivial feature on these devices.
I was just wondering whether my "special need" was somehow supported in some tablet with stock or aftermarket ROM.
I do understand that a fairly complete bluetooth stack should be already in place in Android.
What I need to understand is how far my feature is from a simple use.
Well I just happened to install BlueVPN from the market a day or two ago and it works like a charm. No need to open a terminal emulator and do what I've done before.
Using either way to connect to my phone still results in some native apps not recognizing the connection. The web browsers work (stock, opera mobile/mini, firefox, chrome). But native apps like the gmail app, speed test app, and probably a few others just won't recognize the data connection. I wonder if some other properties need to be set for them to recognize it.
Not a huge deal for me since the web browsers work.
Djirin said:
Well I just happened to install BlueVPN from the market a day or two ago and it works like a charm. No need to open a terminal emulator and do what I've done before.
Using either way to connect to my phone still results in some native apps not recognizing the connection. The web browsers work (stock, opera mobile/mini, firefox, chrome). But native apps like the gmail app, speed test app, and probably a few others just won't recognize the data connection. I wonder if some other properties need to be set for them to recognize it.
Not a huge deal for me since the web browsers work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
These are great news for me.
While email and calendar can be accessed with the browser, SSH (ConnectBot) needs a connection. Could you please check whether this works?
I fear there's some firewalling or NAT in place, this is why it's not working... maybe.
I tried ConnectBot out for at least the telnet portion and that was able to connect but could not send anything from the onscreen keyboard. It just would not recognize anything I typed. I do not have anything to SSH into so could not test that connectivity out.
It connects at least from what I can see. But dislikes the touchscreen keyboard on my tablet apparently.
I've searched around for some solid technique or, preferably, app that allows you to trick apps into thinking you are using Wifi when in reality you are still on 3g/4g.
- I am NOT looking for alternatives or workarounds for a specific app
I found it crazy that the iPhone has over a dozen apps, tweaks, etc that can easily do this type of thing, but the only stuff I've found on the subject for android were either ridiculous techniques that don't work, or people questioning WHY you'd want to do this...
If anyone has ANY information on this subject, please tell.
Is there a reason why this is so much harder on Android than on iPhone? I'd be happy to learn exactly what the problem is here.
bump
Im also interested on this. I have unlimited data and i find it ridiculous that devs make apps to only work on wifi. I use to use 3g unrestrictor all the time back when i had my iPhone.
bump
bump again...
Well i know this works with certain android games like zenonia and modern combat which require wifi not data connection so you can try it with other stuff. You have to be rooted.
The first step is to turn your Wi-Fi on and*download Android Wi-Fi tether app*available in Market.
Once you have the app downloaded, launch the app and go to Menu > Settings > Change > Setup Method and select Softap option.
Now start tethering and drag down the notification bar.
In case your Wi-Fi icon is still enabled, it means that you have done it right so far.
Do not press the Wi-Fi toggle icon and launch the game you want to play
-------------
I am a dishonest man, and you can always honestly trust a dishonest man to be dishonest. Honestly it's the honest ones you have to watch out for.
xMrArnoldx said:
Well i know this works with certain android games like zenonia and modern combat which require wifi not data connection so you can try it with other stuff. You have to be rooted.
The first step is to turn your Wi-Fi on and*download Android Wi-Fi tether app*available in Market.
Once you have the app downloaded, launch the app and go to Menu > Settings > Change > Setup Method and select Softap option.
Now start tethering and drag down the notification bar.
In case your Wi-Fi icon is still enabled, it means that you have done it right so far.
Do not press the Wi-Fi toggle icon and launch the game you want to play
-------------
I am a dishonest man, and you can always honestly trust a dishonest man to be dishonest. Honestly it's the honest ones you have to watch out for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It didn't work.. My wifi is turned off as soon as the tethering starts. What app exactly am I supposed to use?
Thanks!
Try wifi tether for root users.
---------------------
Give me a thanks if i helped
Lg Lucid running Cm10
w/ Cm10 Kernel
Asus Tf700 running Cromi-X 4.6.5
w/ Max's v4 kernel
Some Android games and application require a Wi-Fi connection due to the large amount of data that they use. If you don't have Wi-Fi available, however, you won't be able to use the apps or play the games, even if you have a fast 3G connection. You can trick your phone into believing that the Wi-Fi is connected by saving a small text file to your SD card so the phone will play games and apps as if it's on Wi-Fi when it's only connected to 3G.
Things You'll Need
PC
Data cable
Text editing app
Instructions
1) Launch a text editing program on your computer and type "FALSE" in all caps. Save the file and give it the name "qaWifiOnlyMode.txt" exactly with all the lower-case and capital letters duplicated precisely, otherwise the Android operating system won't see the file. Close the text editing program.
2) Plug your Android device into your computer and drag your finger down from the top of the screen to open the notification area. Tap "USB Connected" and then confirm that you want to mount your SD card as a drive on the computer.
3) Find the qaWifiOnlyMode.txt file on your computer and click to select it. Press "Ctrl" and "C" to copy the file. Browse to the location of your Android device's SD card on your computer. In the base(root) directory, not in any sub-folder, press "Ctrl" and "V" to paste the text file to the card.
4) Drag down the notification area on your Android device and tap the USB connection to disconnect the device from the computer. Unplug the USB cable. Your device will now play games and apps as if it's on Wi-Fi even if it's only on 3G.
Diablo67 said:
Some Android games and application require a Wi-Fi connection due to the large amount of data that they use. If you don't have Wi-Fi available, however, you won't be able to use the apps or play the games, even if you have a fast 3G connection. You can trick your phone into believing that the Wi-Fi is connected by saving a small text file to your SD card so the phone will play games and apps as if it's on Wi-Fi when it's only connected to 3G.
Things You'll Need
PC
Data cable
Text editing app
Instructions
1) Launch a text editing program on your computer and type "FALSE" in all caps. Save the file and give it the name "qaWifiOnlyMode.txt" exactly with all the lower-case and capital letters duplicated precisely, otherwise the Android operating system won't see the file. Close the text editing program.
2) Plug your Android device into your computer and drag your finger down from the top of the screen to open the notification area. Tap "USB Connected" and then confirm that you want to mount your SD card as a drive on the computer.
3) Find the qaWifiOnlyMode.txt file on your computer and click to select it. Press "Ctrl" and "C" to copy the file. Browse to the location of your Android device's SD card on your computer. In the base(root) directory, not in any sub-folder, press "Ctrl" and "V" to paste the text file to the card.
4) Drag down the notification area on your Android device and tap the USB connection to disconnect the device from the computer. Unplug the USB cable. Your device will now play games and apps as if it's on Wi-Fi even if it's only on 3G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, this whole text file thing didn't work for me. Do you have to be rooted for this to work?
It didn't work for me either and I'm rooted
Work for anyone
Did the above fix work for anyone?
.txt thing didn't work for me either and I'm rooted]
I am having a rooted phone with busybox and this text file trick doesn't work.
Sent from my GT-S5360 Gadget of Mass Destruction using xda-app
Using CWM........Busybox Commands........No I use my hands
I've been searching for a way to fool apps into thinking their on WiFi. No luck.
I hate to beat the dead horse but I switched from an iPhone to a HTC One and its turning out to be a bad deal. Your telling me all these yrs and no one has been able to make one of the most basic apps the iPhone can get via cydia yet.
We should start a bounty ...
I'll throw in 100 to start it off with.
omf05 said:
I've been searching for a way to fool apps into thinking their on WiFi. No luck.
I hate to beat the dead horse but I switched from an iPhone to a HTC One and its turning out to be a bad deal. Your telling me all these yrs and no one has been able to make one of the most basic apps the iPhone can get via cydia yet.
We should start a bounty ...
I'll throw in 100 to start it off with.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's pretty pathetic really
I'll be abroad next week and wanted to catch a bit of the French Open Tennis but one of the TV apps I'm using requires a wifi connection. The fact there is no workaround yet is almost as idiotic as the morons who implement this "feature" in their apps.
Why should I care if someone is dumb enough to rinse their 1GB Data limit when I have unlimited 4G internet?
I asked about this in the Xposed forum, since it seems like an Xposed module might be the way to trick apps into thinking you're on wi-fi.
For me, the issue is with PdaNet+. I have unlimited data with T-Mobile, and I can pair my tablet via bluetooth and use my phone's data on my tablet. However, some apps don't work because they don't detect a data connection (ie: wi-fi), even though there is one. I can browse the internet. I can browse Google Play. But I can't download anything from Google Play, because it keeps waiting for a network connection. I can use Facebook, but I can't use the Facebook Messenger.
The work-around I can use at home is to use a virtual wi-fi router program on my laptop, connect my tablet to my laptop's wifi, and then connect my tablet via PdaNet+ bluetooth. Even there's no data going through the wi-fi, it still "tricks" my tablet into thinking there's a network connection, and it proceeds to download through bluetooth. Of course, this only works at home or if I have my laptop with me.
Yeah, I can always just tether my phone to my laptop and run my tablet off the laptop's virtual wi-fi router (which I typically do), but that's slower, and again, only works when my computer is with me.
Planterz said:
I asked about this in the Xposed forum, since it seems like an Xposed module might be the way to trick apps into thinking you're on wi-fi.
For me, the issue is with PdaNet+. I have unlimited data with T-Mobile, and I can pair my tablet via bluetooth and use my phone's data on my tablet. However, some apps don't work because they don't detect a data connection (ie: wi-fi), even though there is one. I can browse the internet. I can browse Google Play. But I can't download anything from Google Play, because it keeps waiting for a network connection. I can use Facebook, but I can't use the Facebook Messenger.
The work-around I can use at home is to use a virtual wi-fi router program on my laptop, connect my tablet to my laptop's wifi, and then connect my tablet via PdaNet+ bluetooth. Even there's no data going through the wi-fi, it still "tricks" my tablet into thinking there's a network connection, and it proceeds to download through bluetooth. Of course, this only works at home or if I have my laptop with me.
Yeah, I can always just tether my phone to my laptop and run my tablet off the laptop's virtual wi-fi router (which I typically do), but that's slower, and again, only works when my computer is with me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you provide a little more detail in how to do this? What program are you using on your laptop? So the phone is running PDANet and then you connect it to your laptop via Bluetooth. Then after that you connect your tablet to the laptop's virtual wifi router?
Don't know if I understood completely but thanks in advance.
taino211 said:
Could you provide a little more detail in how to do this? What program are you using on your laptop? So the phone is running PDANet and then you connect it to your laptop via Bluetooth. Then after that you connect your tablet to the laptop's virtual wifi router?
Don't know if I understood completely but thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have T-Mobile's Unlimited plan, which has unlimited data and 5gb free hotspot. My phone is a T-Mobile branded Samsung Galaxy Light SGH T399. On my phone I have PdaNet+ installed, with the full unlock key purchased ($8).
There's a free one to try, to make sure it works with your phone; whether it works or not depends on the phone itself, the version of Android it runs, and the provider from which you got it (if you didn't get an unlocked version). For example, a particular phone might work fine with T-Mobile, but the Sprint version of that phone might not. That's why there's the free version - to test before purchasing. The limitation with the free version is that it times out after about ~10 minutes and you have to reconnect.
PdaNet can connect to your computer in 3 ways. Wifi, Bluetooth, or USB tethering. Again, depending on your phone, carrier branding, and Android version, some methods may work while others won't.
Wifi works just like any wifi hotspot. However, depending on the afore mentioned conditions, wifi hotspot might not work the way you want it to. For example, on my T-Mobile branded Samsung Galaxy Light SGH-T399, using the wifi hotspot on PdaNet also loads up the pre-installed T-Mobile hotspot, which drains the 5gb mobile hotspot allotment. I haven't found a way to break that on this phone. On other phones (like Nexus devices), I know there are ways to only use your phone's data, and not the hotspot allotment, but frankly, these are very complicated and need a VPN subscription (ie: more money) to work. Wifi hotspot use is often broken anyway, depending on your carrier and Android version.
Bluetooth and USB tethering work differently than wi-fi, but otherwise work essentially the same way as each other. Both require a companion program to be installed onto your computer. A good idea is to keep a copy of this program on your phone, so you can install it on other people's computers if necessary (and perhaps the USB drivers for your phone as well).
I haven't messed around with Bluetooth much, because the Bluetooth on my laptop (via a dongle) is glitchy as $#@!, and I've never been able to get PdaNet to work with it properly except for a couple times which didn't last. Actually, I've never gotten anything to work properly with Bluetooth on my laptop, so this is probably just a problem with my computer/dongle/drivers, and YMMV. On the few times I've gotten PdaNet or other internet via Bluetooth (which some phones have built-in, and don't require PdaNet at all), speeds have been much, much slower, and I'd rather tether via USB anyway.
I connect my phone's internet to my laptop with USB tether. Make sure USB debugging is enabled, and plug it in. Make sure it's set as a Mass Storage device (4.1 or earlier), or as a Media Device (4.2+). Then on your phone, open PdaNet+ and Activate USB Tether (you can do this before plugging it in, it doesn't matter). On your computer, load PdaNet, and select Connect Internet (USB). If everything has been set up correctly, it should say "Connected", and you can now use your phone's internet on your computer.
Here's the important part:
If you don't have an Unlimited plan, tethering (via any method) will suck down your data. If you do have an unlimited plan, there's an option in PdaNet's settings (on your computer) to "Hide Tether Usage". This uses a proxy or VPN (not sure which) to fool your provider into thinking you're on your phone, and not on your computer. This works for me, with my phone, on T-Mobile. No guarantees that this will work with other phones, or other providers. Try the free version first, monitor your data usage (use your provider's account app, not the built-in Android one), and see if it works for you.
As for the virtual wifi network, there are a couple ways to do this. The PdaNet program for your computer actually has this built into it. Once you're connected, select the "WiFi Share" option, and it'll set up a wi-fi network that you (and others) can use on other devices, like other phones, tablets, computers smart-TVs, etc. Obviously, the computer you're tethered to needs to have wi-fi capability for this to work. But as long as you have a wi-fi modem, it can be turned into a wi-fi router with this option. It's not as strong as a real wi-fi router, but you don't have to buy and network a different piece of equipment either.
There are also stand-alone virtual wi-fi router programs. The one I've used mainly is Virtual Router Manager beta 0.9. A while ago, I tried a newer, non-beta version, but it was extremely unstable, so I went back to the 0.9 beta. I haven't tried any newer version in quite some time. I used this when I had proper internet (cable) in my apartment, but wanted to use wi-fi instead of my phone's data to do downloads or updates on my phone.
Neither the Virtual Router Manager or the WiFi Share option on PdaNet are 100% stable. Every once in a while, something glitches out, and I have to reboot my computer (I usually reboot my phone at the same time, just to be sure). But hey, apart from the $8 for PdaNet+, I get unlimited mobile and home internet for $80/month, so I can't complain.
To recap, I have my phone USB tethered to my laptop (which is plugged into a 42" HDTV) via PdaNet+. I use a virtual wi-fi router option to give wi-fi to my tablet. One internet connection, 3 devices connected.
My problem is that, even though I own a laptop, it practically never goes with my anywhere. It sits on a cooling pad, plugged into 2 external HDDs and my 42" HDTV, and I sit at my couch with a wireless mouse/keyboard. But when I'm away from my apartment, and I have my tablet, there's certain things I can't do on the tablet connected via PdaNet and Bluetooth, because it doesn't have a wi-fi connection, and these certain apps don't detect a network connection.
Planterz said:
I have T-Mobile's Unlimited plan, which has unlimited data and 5gb free hotspot. My phone is a T-Mobile branded Samsung Galaxy Light SGH T399. On my phone I have PdaNet+ installed, with the full unlock key purchased ($8).
There's a free one to try, to make sure it works with your phone; whether it works or not depends on the phone itself, the version of Android it runs, and the provider from which you got it (if you didn't get an unlocked version). For example, a particular phone might work fine with T-Mobile, but the Sprint version of that phone might not. That's why there's the free version - to test before purchasing. The limitation with the free version is that it times out after about ~10 minutes and you have to reconnect.
PdaNet can connect to your computer in 3 ways. Wifi, Bluetooth, or USB tethering. Again, depending on your phone, carrier branding, and Android version, some methods may work while others won't.
Wifi works just like any wifi hotspot. However, depending on the afore mentioned conditions, wifi hotspot might not work the way you want it to. For example, on my T-Mobile branded Samsung Galaxy Light SGH-T399, using the wifi hotspot on PdaNet also loads up the pre-installed T-Mobile hotspot, which drains the 5gb mobile hotspot allotment. I haven't found a way to break that on this phone. On other phones (like Nexus devices), I know there are ways to only use your phone's data, and not the hotspot allotment, but frankly, these are very complicated and need a VPN subscription (ie: more money) to work. Wifi hotspot use is often broken anyway, depending on your carrier and Android version.
Bluetooth and USB tethering work differently than wi-fi, but otherwise work essentially the same way as each other. Both require a companion program to be installed onto your computer. A good idea is to keep a copy of this program on your phone, so you can install it on other people's computers if necessary (and perhaps the USB drivers for your phone as well).
I haven't messed around with Bluetooth much, because the Bluetooth on my laptop (via a dongle) is glitchy as $#@!, and I've never been able to get PdaNet to work with it properly except for a couple times which didn't last. Actually, I've never gotten anything to work properly with Bluetooth on my laptop, so this is probably just a problem with my computer/dongle/drivers, and YMMV. On the few times I've gotten PdaNet or other internet via Bluetooth (which some phones have built-in, and don't require PdaNet at all), speeds have been much, much slower, and I'd rather tether via USB anyway.
I connect my phone's internet to my laptop with USB tether. Make sure USB debugging is enabled, and plug it in. Make sure it's set as a Mass Storage device (4.1 or earlier), or as a Media Device (4.2+). Then on your phone, open PdaNet+ and Activate USB Tether (you can do this before plugging it in, it doesn't matter). On your computer, load PdaNet, and select Connect Internet (USB). If everything has been set up correctly, it should say "Connected", and you can now use your phone's internet on your computer.
Here's the important part:
If you don't have an Unlimited plan, tethering (via any method) will suck down your data. If you do have an unlimited plan, there's an option in PdaNet's settings (on your computer) to "Hide Tether Usage". This uses a proxy or VPN (not sure which) to fool your provider into thinking you're on your phone, and not on your computer. This works for me, with my phone, on T-Mobile. No guarantees that this will work with other phones, or other providers. Try the free version first, monitor your data usage (use your provider's account app, not the built-in Android one), and see if it works for you.
As for the virtual wifi network, there are a couple ways to do this. The PdaNet program for your computer actually has this built into it. Once you're connected, select the "WiFi Share" option, and it'll set up a wi-fi network that you (and others) can use on other devices, like other phones, tablets, computers smart-TVs, etc. Obviously, the computer you're tethered to needs to have wi-fi capability for this to work. But as long as you have a wi-fi modem, it can be turned into a wi-fi router with this option. It's not as strong as a real wi-fi router, but you don't have to buy and network a different piece of equipment either.
There are also stand-alone virtual wi-fi router programs. The one I've used mainly is Virtual Router Manager beta 0.9. A while ago, I tried a newer, non-beta version, but it was extremely unstable, so I went back to the 0.9 beta. I haven't tried any newer version in quite some time. I used this when I had proper internet (cable) in my apartment, but wanted to use wi-fi instead of my phone's data to do downloads or updates on my phone.
Neither the Virtual Router Manager or the WiFi Share option on PdaNet are 100% stable. Every once in a while, something glitches out, and I have to reboot my computer (I usually reboot my phone at the same time, just to be sure). But hey, apart from the $8 for PdaNet+, I get unlimited mobile and home internet for $80/month, so I can't complain.
To recap, I have my phone USB tethered to my laptop (which is plugged into a 42" HDTV) via PdaNet+. I use a virtual wi-fi router option to give wi-fi to my tablet. One internet connection, 3 devices connected.
My problem is that, even though I own a laptop, it practically never goes with my anywhere. It sits on a cooling pad, plugged into 2 external HDDs and my 42" HDTV, and I sit at my couch with a wireless mouse/keyboard. But when I'm away from my apartment, and I have my tablet, there's certain things I can't do on the tablet connected via PdaNet and Bluetooth, because it doesn't have a wi-fi connection, and these certain apps don't detect a network connection.
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Thanks for the great explanation! This helps quite a bit. I'll give this a shot to see how it goes.