Atlas Communications Blog

We’ve explained what tethering is in a previous post: now we’re going to help you unleash its power and potential. In the first of our series of tutorials, we show you how to set up O2 tethering on your phone. First up: Android.

What you’ll need

Almost all Android phones now offer portable hotspot functionality, which – so long as you have a data connection – shares its 3G connection via its Wi-Fi radio to other devices nearby that have Wi-Fi. However, this feature is only in Android 2.2 or up smartphones: if you’re running a phone with older software, check for a software update, and if you’re out of luck, try one of the alternative apps on the Android Market, such as EasyTether or Pdanet.

 

Get set up

To use O2 tethering on your Android phone, you’ll need to do a quick bit of admin. Go into your phone’s settings, and choose “Wireless & Networks”. Here, turn your Wi-Fi on, then select “Tethering and portable hotspot.” Then pick “Portable Wi-Fi hotspot settings” and select “Configure Wi-Fi hotspot”.

Here, you can then enter your mobile hotspot’s network SSID, which is the name other devices will see when scanning for Wi-Fi networks, so choose something personal and recognisable.

Stay secure

You can leave your hotspot open for anyone to join, but it’s not recommended. Instead, from the Security drop down menu on the same screen, select “WPA2 PSK”, and enter a password of at least eight characters, then save. Now you can give this to your friends across the table wanting to get online with their laptop or tablet – they’ll be prompted to enter it when they join the network.

Get surfing

You’re good to go: when you’re in an area with 3G reception, just turn Portable Wi-Fi hotspot on under the “Tethering & portable hotspot” option, and you can simply log on and start browsing, sending emails and chatting, whether you’re on the beach or in a cafe. You can configure your settings or turn it off at any time just by tapping the option on the pull down Android notification tray.

Use a cable

If for some reason Wi-Fi isn’t working, don’t despair. You can also connect a laptop to your tethered smartphone via USB cable. Plug it in as you normally would, then under “Tethering & portable hotspot”, select “USB tethering”, and you’re good to go. Note that this way can only connect one machine at a time, and only works with Windows 7 machines.

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Here’s a smartphone secret you might not know about: almost every new model that has been released can take that clever 3G radio, and share its speedy internet connection with other gadgets around it, so you can check your email on your tablet, or use your laptop on the beach. But do remember best call O2  to check if your tariff includes tethering, to avoid potential bill shock at the end of the month. It’s seriously smart – to prove it, here are five little facts about O2 tethering that you never knew.

 

It’s included in your bill

There are no hidden charges on O2 to to tether your phone’s 3G connection. If you’ve got a data plan, you can tether. Of course, the usual data limits apply, but most users never go over 500MB – if you’re just checking a few pages and sending some emails on your laptop, you’ll be just fine, and O2 will text you to let you know how much data you’ve used.

Tether three different ways

Which you can use varies between smartphones, but there are three different ways you can tether your mobile’s connection. The most common is via Wi-Fi hotspot: your smartphone’s 3G connection is shared locally via its Wi-Fi connection, so any other device with Wi-Fi can use it. You can also share the connection over Bluetooth the same way on some phones, or share with a laptop via USB cable.

Several devices at once
If you’re sharing your connection over Wi-Fi, more than one device can jump onboard. One friend with a tablet can check the headlines, while another on a tablet updates their status or send an email. It’s a cinch for impromptu cafe meetings.

Charge your phone at the same time
If you’re using a USB cable to tether your phone to your computer, it’ll charge it up at the same time to save battery. If you need some extra juice while in Wi-Fi hotspot mode, you can just do the same thing, for extended surfing time.

Every smartphone can do it
Whatever smartphone platform’s your preference, you can tether for internet anywhere. iPhone, Android, Nokia, BlackBerry, HP webOS and Samsung bada phones all offer the feature. With the upcoming Mango update, internet sharing will even be available on Windows Phone 7 too.

Go on give it a go, it could open up a whole new world of mobile browsing!  but if you need some help just give the team a call and we can help! 0845 606 1000

We’ve shown you how to have a week to remember with O2 Priority Moments: now we’re getting into the nitty gritty of getting it set up. Whatever phone you own, read on and we’ll explain how you can start saving right now.

Sign up for O2 Priority Moments
First thing’s first, get yourself signed up for the service. Doing so couldn’t be simpler: if you’re an O2 customer, just text MOMENTS to 2020 and you’ll be good to go.

Grab the app
If you’ve an iPhone or Android smartphone, simply grab the app from the iTunes App Store or the Android Market and fire it up. You can instantly see all the deals nearby on a handy map, and get directions to them if you fancy claiming one.

Launch your browser
If you use another type of phone, don’t worry. O2 Priority Moments supports WAP so as long as you have a data connection, you can use it – you’ll be sent the link when you register.

Go on a walkabout
Start exploring. O2 Priority Moments shows you the deals nearest to you, so whenever you’re out and about, have a peep to see how you can save, whether it’s a free bottle of wine, or cross-country travel on the cheap.

We want to give our customers something helpful this month, just for being with us.

You will receive an extra 60 free minutes for each O2 mobile in your company. You don’t need to do anything – the extra minutes will just appear on your bill.

You can use the 60 free minutes to call standard UK landlines, mobiles, GSM WAP and Group Conferencing. You’ll have 30 days to use the minutes, which don’t rollover. You’ll use the 60 free minutes first, followed by any inclusive minutes you already get with your tariff or Bolt Ons.

Example:  If you are billed on 14 September you will have until 14 October to use the extra 60 minutes across all the mobiles on your account.

All customers will get the extra 60 minutes – whatever your tariff. The only exception is customers on unlimited voice tariffs, such as Business Single Unlimited and Business Single Max. The extra 60 minutes cannot be shared.

Scan the QR Code and get the Rugby World Cup App for Blackberry,

keep up to date with all the latest news and chat about the Rugby World Cup! (FREE) – Smartphone & PlayBook

Click the postcard below to download the latest version.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some great apps really worth checking out are ‘Wikitude’ – the Wikitude World Browser allows you to check out your surroundings in a completely new way by using the camera, simply hold up your smartphone and explore what’s around you in ‘Augmented Reality’

Also make sure you have the latest version of BBM now up to version 6 to ensure you have access to the latest and greatest features like sharing your favorite experiences within BBM-connected apps.