iTether App Provides Internet Tethering Without Jailbreaking [Updated]

Apple’s ability to spot an app that violates App Store guidelines appears to be diminishing by the day with Cupertino now approving an iOS app called iTether. 10 guesses to say what the app is for and why it shouldn’t be in the App Store.

As its name implies, iTether is an application that allows you to feed your Mac or PC some Internet through your smartphone's data plan, “providing you access to the Internet on your laptop anywhere there is cellular coverage from your smartphone,” says the developer.

In iOS 5, you can make a personal hot-spot and do this wirelessly without the need of specialized software. However, Apple has embedded some code restrictions in iOS that say you can’t do this via the phone’s USB cable.

A workaround is to jailbreak your device, which also isn’t condoned by Apple.

Now, for those who were considering to jailbreak their handsets to be able to tether their iPhone to the computer for Internet, iTether unlocks that ability for $15 (11,99 €).

“iTether is easy to install, easy to use, works practically anywhere, and is very cost-effective,” the developers say.

Well, I don’t know about cost-effective but if you ever craved for this ability, you might want to hurry up and downloading iTether now - chances are it won’t be in the App Store much longer.

You’ll also need to download some Mac / PC software from the people at Tether so that the app can talk to the computer. Strangely enough, they put up the download links right in the app’s description.

It's also unclear why iTether is listed as a version 1.1 software, since the first binary was submitted and approved just yesterday.

The description ends with the developers saying: “We guarantee that if you hate being without internet or are frustrated over fees for internet service, then Tether is your solution. Eventually it will become an application that you cannot go without.”

The app works with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.

Update: As expected, Apple pulled the application. More info here.