WiFi HotSpot - To Root or Not?

yahknow1 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-20-2010, 07:14 PM

So far I've resisted rooting my Epic simply because it does everything I need it to. With the exception of WiFi tether undetected..

Can someone explain to me or point me to a well written link on this subject?

I used to use the feature on my unlocked TP2 and it worked flawlessly. It just doesn't seem right to have to pay twice for data just because that data streams from my phone to my laptop before I see it? I spoke to a Sprint Rep at my local store and asked how much the service would cost and the $29.99 just doesn't seem worth it. When she told me the price I asked her about rooted phones not being charged for the service and she went off on a rant that people who root their phones and use the service for free "end up getting caught after a while"...

Has anyone heard of people getting "caught"? Anyway, I guess Im just gathering information at this point, anyone care to shed some light on the subject? Any/All help appreciated!

Thanks
Paul

**gTen** · #2 (**permalink**) 12-20-2010, 07:25 PM

lol..and when they "catch" you rooting, they slap your wrist and pretend it never happened..there is nothing illegal about it, sprint also would never catch you unless you do it right in front of them and even then they most likely would not catch you..

the WORST they can possibly do is suspend your service..(which I have never heard of done before anyways)

yankees45us · #3 (**permalink**) 12-20-2010, 07:37 PM

Legally they can't do anything except void your warranty. That's like a broadband company telling you can't plug your modem to your playstation unless you pay extra. I've tethered everyone of my phones since the htc touch and never had a problem. The only way they may be able to cancel service is if you use over 50gb of data 3 months in a row. Then they can get you for abuse.
So go ahead and root. You'll never go back.

Sent from my Evo using Tapatalk

**gTen** · #4 (**permalink**) 12-20-2010, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yankees45us

Legally they can't do anything except void your warranty. That's like a broadband company telling you can't plug your modem to your playstation unless you pay extra. I've tethered everyone of my phones since the htc touch and never had a problem. The only way they may be able to cancel service is if you use over 50gb of data 3 months in a row. Then they can get you for abuse.
So go ahead and root. You'll never go back.

Sent from my Evo using Tapatalk

I have been tethering since my Apache and went over 50gb a month easily...never had a problem >.>..

as for voiding warranty...its silly..cause in warranty it says any software not made by the manufacturer can void your warranty..aka you download a game and it crashes your phone even none rooted..warranty is void...realistically though they will not void your warranty if you root..cause usually when you use your warranty your phone doesn't turn on..they can't tell whether you rooted or not...

yankees45us · #5 (**permalink**) 12-20-2010, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gTen

I have been tethering since my Apache and went over 50gb a month easily...never had a problem >.>..

as for voiding warranty...its silly..cause in warranty it says any software not made by the manufacturer can void your warranty..aka you download a game and it crashes your phone even none rooted..warranty is void...realistically though they will not void your warranty if you root..cause usually when you use your warranty your phone doesn't turn on..they can't tell whether you rooted or not...

Good point. At this point unless they can prove that rooting is what caused your problems they can't do jack. I've taken my phone in 3 times and all those times the phone turns on and have had no issues. Since that judge ruled that jailbraking your iphone is not illegal it has made it even easier. I think its just like accessing the registry on your windows computer. Go ahead and root and enjoy it!

Sent from my Evo using Tapatalk

Free! Full Body Protection for your smartphone.
http://stealthguards.com/idevaffilia...ate.php?id=417

youngblack · #6 (**permalink**) 12-20-2010, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yahknow1

So far I've resisted rooting my Epic simply because it does everything I need it to. With the exception of WiFi tether undetected..

Can someone explain to me or point me to a well written link on this subject?

I used to use the feature on my unlocked TP2 and it worked flawlessly. It just doesn't seem right to have to pay twice for data just because that data streams from my phone to my laptop before I see it? I spoke to a Sprint Rep at my local store and asked how much the service would cost and the $29.99 just doesn't seem worth it. When she told me the price I asked her about rooted phones not being charged for the service and she went off on a rant that people who root their phones and use the service for free "end up getting caught after a while"...

Has anyone heard of people getting "caught"? Anyway, I guess Im just gathering information at this point, anyone care to shed some light on the subject? Any/All help appreciated!

Thanks
Paul

...Oh lawd. Smh

Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk while your mom was putting her clothes on.

youngblack · #7 (**permalink**) 12-20-2010, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gTen

I have been tethering since my Apache and went over 50gb a month easily...never had a problem >.>..

as for voiding warranty...its silly..cause in warranty it says any software not made by the manufacturer can void your warranty..aka you download a game and it crashes your phone even none rooted..warranty is void...realistically though they will not void your warranty if you root..cause usually when you use your warranty your phone doesn't turn on..they can't tell whether you rooted or not...

Going over 50gb in one month wow u must be living in rural areas with no access to landline phone or cable internet?

Anyways I.don't know about voiding the warranty but when it came to an in store exchange that's exactly how I did it. Made sure my phone wouldnt turn on so they can't tell if I rooted it or not. I exchanged an estimate of 4 palm pres in the last year alone. Of course. I rooted them all.

Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk while your mom was putting her clothes on.

youngblack · #8 (**permalink**) 12-20-2010, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youngblack

Going over 50gb in one month wow u must be living in rural areas with no access to landline phone or cable internet?

Anyways I.don't know about voiding the warranty but when it came to an in store exchange that's exactly how I did it. Made sure my phone wouldnt turn on so they can't tell if I rooted it or not. I exchanged an estimate of 3-4 palm pres in the last year alone. Of course. I rooted them all.

Sent from my SPH-D700 using Tapatalk while your mom was putting her clothes on.

**gTen** · #9 (**permalink**) 12-20-2010, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youngblack

Going over 50gb in one month wow u must be living in rural areas with no access to landline phone or cable internet?

I live in this jungle it the middle of no where called new york city..

best we got here are like only 100mbps connections and my land line is only 30mbps....:/ lol

But I use tethering for a different reason...I travel a lot and I prefer to use the tethered connection for work related stuff/phone related stuff and my land line for personal stuff...

youngblack · #10 (**permalink**) 12-21-2010, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gTen

I live in this jungle it the middle of no where called new york city..

best we got here are like only 100mbps connections and my land line is only 30mbps....:/ lol

But I use tethering for a different reason...I travel a lot and I prefer to use the tethered connection for work related stuff/phone related stuff and my land line for personal stuff...

Heck! buy yourself an another sprint phone or a 4G wireless card. Might as well cancel your service with Cable Vision/ Time Warner.