Tethering v Wi-Fi Hotspot

With the Samsung Galaxy S2 able to connect a laptop or PC to the internet via either USB tethering or by acting as a portable Wi-Fi hotspot it could be a difficult decision to choose which option to take. This little entry will try to explain the difference, the pros and the cons for the two systems.

First what they are:
The Wi-Fi hotspot is where the phone is effectively used as a wireless router using the phones mobile internet (Packet Data) to allow computers or laptops to browse the internet wirelessly. This method is wireless and allows for upto 8 computers to connect to the phone at once. The system is one that would well well for a small group of users.

USB tethering is where the phone is literally connected by a USB cable to the laptop or computer and the phone can either act as a USB Wi-Fi adapter or it can use mobile internet to allow the computer to connect to the internet. This system offers only a single connection and operates as a wired network as opposed to a wireless connection.

Effectively on paper they do the same basic thing, they allow you to use the phone to connect a laptop or computer to the internet, though there is a number of difference, and not just the wired v wireless comment (as you can connect the phone to a laptop whilst still using it as a portable Wi-Fi hotspot).

Firstly the battery life, if you are using the Wi-Fi hotspot option (unconnected) you can often run down a full battery in just a few hours as it's hugely battery intensive sending out the Wi-Fi signal none stop. If you've a plug socket or a USB cable make sure you have the phone connected or it will die pretty swiftly. On the other hand if you are using a USB tether you're phone will constantly be charging via the computer/laptop that it's connected to and the battery won't be an issue.

Security is another issue, the USB connection is the more secure option as only your device will have a connection whilst with Wi-Fi you can either forget to put a password on the hotspot or your password could be hacked. In fact in an extreme situation your phone could be snatched as someone walks by much easier than if it was tethered.

In public it's probably best to try and use a the USB tethering option, however don't rule out using the Wi-Fi hotspot mode at the right time. For example using the connection in your own home, you could easily put the Wi-Fi mode on and connect through that whilst walking around the house. The Wi-Fi hotspot mode does allow a lot more freedom, you don't need to drag the phone around with you just to keep connected. In fact, although I wouldn't advise it, you could basically use the Hotspot as the houses internet connection.

As well as their difference they both come with some similar drawbacks. Remember you'll only have the speed of the mobile internet connection. You won't have the greatest of connections (especially not in the British countryside) and you'll also need to keep a close eye on your usage, especially if you have a capped allowance as normal websites aren't created with mobile internet connections in mind and it can become expensive if you go over your limit. With this in mind I'd advise you to use 3G Watchdog with both methods just to keep an eye on things.

Neither method is "right" or "wrong" just use the one that you prefer and that suits your circumstances the best.

How to use your Samsung Galaxy S2 as a portable Wi-Fi Hotspot

The technology of today is simply amazing, I think we'll all agree that what we can do now with phones is amazing and it doesn't seem like we'll be finding a limit on what they will do any time soon. One of the great features of the current Android is their ability to act as a portable Wi-Fi hotspot, something that was completely unimaginable 10 years ago. This guide will walk you through the task of setting up such a connection and also look at some of the issues of doing it.



Firstly you need to open Settings screen (see right) and click on the Wireless and Network option at the very top of the list which will open an options screen like the one to the left. As you can see in the screen shot there is an option for "Tethering and portable hotspot", you need to click on this option at this point to open yet another menu. This will open up a menu with 3 options. "USB Tethering" (only available if you've got your laptop or PC connected to your phone), "Portable Wi-Fi hotspot settings" and "Help". The one you need to click is "Portable Wi-Fi hotspot settings" (see the screen shot to the right as a guide).

After clicking on "Portable Wi-Fi hotspot settings"you'll see a screen like the one on the left called "Introduction to portable Wi-Fi hotspot".This screen will explain the basics of what a Portable Wi-Fi hotspot is though really doesn't act so much as an introduction but more as a chance to go back. If you are still wishing to set up the hotspot click "OK" at this screen.

After clicking OK on the previous screen you will see the screen to the right. Now I would advise, if you live in a city mainly (thankfully I don't) that you click on "Configure portable Wi-Fi hot" and put on some security (using a password with the WPA2 PSK option) though if you don't you'll find it as an open connection. When you've decided on your security you need to tick the check box.

 After ticking the check box neck to "Portable Wi-Fi hotspot" a warning will appear on the screen (see the screen shot to the left). If you click OK you're ready to go and you will notice a new blue icon along the top that sits on the notification bar. In regards to the phone that's everything you need to do before going back to your laptop or computer.

On your laptop/computer you will need to see what Wi-Fi connections are available. If you didn't change the name of the connection it should appear as "AndroidHotspot" then some numbers. If you went into the configuration screen you can re-name them and things to whatever you want such as "Dave's hotspot" or "Jenny's phone".
 On this screen you need to click on the Android connection (or whatever you re-named it to) and connect as you would usually do so. When you first use the
  connection you may come across a screen shot like the one on, quick whichever best applies to you and within seconds you'll be connected and using your phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot.



Now we get to the problems, and there is a fair few of them. Firstly as one screen shot said using a phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot consumes the battery, and quickly (so I'd advise plugging it into an electric socket if you can) and it will swiftly eat into your data allowance. Remember desktop browsers aren't made with 500MB allowances in mind and you can easily go over your limit with out even realising. Also from the browsing point of view your speed is limit to what mobile internet you can get so trying to use a "G" connection for anything other than checking E-mails will be a pain.

Although it's a very handy tool, it's one that you're unlikely to be using outside of emergencies and maybe train rides. Where possible I'd advising using your home internet, public Wi-Fi (Cloud, BT Openzone and similar) or just using your phone (which compresses webpages for mobiles) for anything online.