The coolest feature on Verizona4ぎa4г iPhone, the mobile hotspot functionality that will let users tether up to five separate devices to the carriera4ぎa4г 3G network via a single phone, will be headed to all iPhones in the next major update of iOS, version 4.3, according to mobile site Boy Genius Report.
But that doesna4ぎa4д mean youa4ぎa4ll instantly be able to create hotspots with your AT&'T iPhone. The feature, much like the iPhonea4ぎa4г tethering functionality, will likely need to be approved by mobile carriers. For AT&'T, which struggled to deliver simple mobile internet tethering between the iPhone and a single device, I suspect the feature will take a while to make its way to users.
An AT&'T representative said the company was a4ぎAevaluatinga4ぎ the feature, but wouldna4ぎa4д discuss any specifics on its availability, reports Business Insider.
When it comes to AT&'T, the delay will likely be more about its networka4ぎa4г inability to handle data hungry devices like the iPhone. Turning on mobile hotspot functionality would make the iPhone an even bigger data hog, and the carrier is having trouble enough supporting individual iPhones.
In other news, Slashgear unsuccessfully attempted to perform the antenna a4ぎAdeath gripa4ぎ &8212' the act of holding the iPhone in a certain way to reduce its reception, and the cause of Applea4ぎa4г antennagate scandal &8212' on a Verizon iPhone unit. While ita4ぎa4г in no way a confirmation that the Verizon iPhone is completely free of the issue, ita4ぎa4г still somewhat telling.
The AT&'T iPhone is most susceptible to the death grip when ita4ぎa4г in areas with weak reception. Given that Verizona4ぎa4г network is generally stronger in major cities than AT&'Ta4ぎa4г (it certainly was near Columbus Circle in Manhattan, where Verizona4ぎa4г iPhone event took place), the death grip may end up being less of an issue on its network.
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Companies: Apple, AT&'T, Verizon
Companies: Apple, AT&'T, Verizon
Devindra Hardawar is VentureBeat's lead mobile writer and East Coast correspondent. He studied philosophy at Amherst College, worked in IT support for several years, and has been writing about technology since 2004. He now lives in Brooklyn, New York. You can reach him at devindra@venturebeat.com (all story pitches should also be sent to tips@venturebeat.com), and on Twitter at @Devindra.
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