3G mobile hotspot for all iPhones?

US telco, Verizon has just recently started selling iPhone 4 under their network. Previously, it was only monopolized by AT&T in US. During a hands on session with the phone, it was revealed that the Verizon iPhone would be able to function as a mobile 3G hotspot, sharing internet connection to 5 different devices via WiFi. Previously, the iPhone was also able to share internet connection, but this was only possible via USB to the computer.

It was noted that the Verizon iPhone is on iOS version 4.2.5 while the latest version of iOS update available to the public is 4.2.1. Perhaps a new iOS update will bring wifi tethering to all iPhones? Or will it disappointingly be just a telco specified function? Some users who cannot stand to wait for Apple to officially enable wifi tethering on iPhone have resorted to jailbreak their phones and install the ‘MyWi’ app via Cydia. But not all users are willing to perform a jailbreak so a future iOS update with wireless tethering is very much welcomed.

[source]

Update: 13-Jan-2011

The very next day after the post above, Apple has released iOS 4.3 beta 1 to developers. Developers working on the new update has found some new features added and it seems that wifi tethering is one of them. Horray. List of new features below:

• Personal hotspot capabilities for GSM devices
• AirPlay support for third-party native apps and third-party Web apps
• Redesigned FaceTime icon
• Multi-touch gesture support for iPad — four or five fingers detected
• Configurable slide switch for iPad — controls mute or rotation lock
• iAd full screen banners on the iPad
• Live effects for video recording and FaceTime calls

Along with the updates, some older models like the 2nd generation iPhone and iPod touch have been dropped by the support.

[source]