Can I Use My Galaxy Note 1 As A Hot Spot ? + Upgrade Android ?

[BKKdreaming]

Hi

I just bought a used Galaxy Note i717 AT+T , its the USA version of the Note 1 , and would like to set it up so I can use it as a internet HotSpot for my iPad which only has WiFi,

What do I need to do ? I know I need to unlock it , and unlock codes are only $4 on Ebay , but do I need to root it too ?

I would use a PrePaid Sim card in Thailand but which one is best for 1 month at a time , mostly data ?

And if anyone has a Note 1 , have you upgraded Android yet ? Somewhere I read there was a Factory upgrade on Korean models , not sure if its on other models also,

thanks for your help

Edited December 11, 2012 by BKKdreaming

[CP3]

Android has portable hotspot function, you don't need to root to use it?

[JakeBKK]

have a look on xda-developer(dot)com - and there is noo need to buy an unlock code on ebay. whay version of android are you on? gngerbread?

[BKKdreaming]

Hi....its on Android 2.3.6 gingerbread

and why do I not need to buy the unlock code ?

thanks

BK

Edited December 11, 2012 by BKKdreaming

[lomatopo]

Assuming your SGH-I717 is still locked to AT&T then you'd obviously have to unlock it before you could use a local SIM here in Thailand. (I assume you do not want to roam via AT&T.) I am certain Android 2.3.6 supports Mobile AP (WiFI Hotspot) so there would be no need to upgrade the OS or root the device for this application. Once unlocked this device would work with TrueMove H, DTAC or TOT 3G here. TrueMove H might offer the broadest coverage?

I think you may have to buy an unlock code - as it appears as though that device is difficult to hack, although AT&T may give you one if you are a customer in good standing.

I use an older unlocked AT&T Samsung Captivate (SGH-I897) as a Mobile AP with TrueMove H ( 5 GB/899 baht/30 days) to support up to four other Android devices via WiFi. It works fine but does get hot, and it does need to be plugged into the AC for constant power as the battery would drain in minutes using this application.

Edited December 12, 2012 by lomatopo

[Pib]

Yea, on my Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 smartphone which is still running Gingerbread 2.3.6 it has the Hotspot function which I use frequently with my Wifi Only tablet when away from my home Wifi connection and instead must use my DTAC 3G mobile data connection (i.e., my smartphone basically turns into a Wifi router feeding my tablet). And later versions of Android also come with the HotSpot capability on many devices. Beyond Android having HotSpot functionality built-in, I guess the device also has to have the hardware built-in to provide the capability....that is, the device has the hardware and Android provides the software/firmware to make the hardware operate.

[CP3]

By changing the ROM, you don't need to buy an unlock code. You can find a suitable on on xda developer.

[BKKdreaming]

By changing the ROM, you don't need to buy an unlock code. You can find a suitable on on xda developer.

Hi

why would I want to change the ROM ?

is that the same as upgrading Android ?

BK

[JakeBKK]

By changing the ROM, you don't need to buy an unlock code. You can find a suitable on on xda developer.

Hi

why would I want to change the ROM ?

is that the same as upgrading Android ?

BK

Please look at the website i mentioned. There is an old saying: RTFM

[lomatopo]

I've done a bit of reading, and review of YouTube videos, and see that this may be a bit more challenging than I first posited. AT&T charges for tethering - and this capability is not available unless you have paid for it, so assuming you want to tether one needs to root the phone and run a program like "WiFi Tether for Root Users". I think the phone needs to be unlocked before it can be rooted. The OP could try calling AT&T, assuming the IMEI is clean then they may give you the unlock code. Otherwise you'l have to buy one. Once unlocked you can root the device. At this point I might upgrade to ICS, 4.0.4 stock (Note or AT&T), re-root if necessary, then run one of the tethering programs from the Play Store. Or flash a stock Samsung ROM, or a custom ROM, which will include tethering as a base function.

I guess if it were my device I would try to get it unlocked, root it, then flash an ICS custom ROM.

Or get the device unlocked, root it, use Titanium Back up to remove the AT&T Tethering Manager app.

http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1496

[BKKdreaming]

Hi

I am not an AT+T customer so they will not unlock it , but since its only $4 that is not a big deal ,

Can I also tether using a USB cable to my Netbook ?

I plan on using it on T-Mobile prepaid in the USA and use the $2-$3 a day Internet the few days I need it a month ,

I have a Kindle I can use just to check my email and thats free, but if I am stuck somewhere all day it would be nice to have full internet for the day if needed.

When in BKK I would use it by itself but also sometimes to WiFi tether to my IPad

Right now I travel to BKK with a Panosonic Toughbook, with DVD player , an iPad , the Kindle and now the Note,

can I tether the Note to my Toughbook with a USB cable ?

Thanks for your help , I know cars but not as much about this stuff

BK

[lomatopo]

Assuming the I717 is unlocked, and tethering is enabled (either by rooting and running one of the tethering programs, or by rooting and installing an open stock (non-AT&T) ROM or a custom ROM), then one could use the phone with any GSM provider, and use both the USB tethering application ( "tether the Note to my Toughbook with a USB cable"), or the Mobile AP application ( "to WiFi tether to my IPad").

Some notes:

According to some of the tutorial videos I watched you will need a non-AT&T SIM to utilize an unlock code. I guess you have a t-Mo SIM so that should work.

The T-Mo $3/day service does offer 3G but unless you can get onto one of the re-farmed AT&T 1900 MHz towers you would not get 3G so the $2/day service may be the best option.

AT&T has been giving unlock codes to current owners of I717's, you do not have to be a current customer, or even had to have bought the unit yourself from AT&T. As long as the IMEI is clean they will give you the unlock code.

You could also use AT&T pre-paid while in the U.S., or even StraightTalk, an AT&T MVNO.

[blorg]

The Note can both tether via the USB cable or work as a WiFi hotspot. I know, as I have one. The former is easier on the battery. Any restrictions will be down to AT&T removing these functions.

If you are not too good at this sort of stuff and are in Bangkok, I'd suggest taking it to a local mobile phone shop. They should be able to unlock it and get tethering or WiFi hotspot working for a nominal fee. It could save you a lot of time. They generally know what they are doing and it shouldn't cost too much, you would just be paying for their time.

[lomatopo]

Any restrictions will be down to AT&T removing these functions.

AT&T charges extra, $10/month I think, for tethering (via USB. bluetooth, or mobile ap) so the functionality remains but if you try to use tethering the system checks your account over the air. If you haven't paid for tethering this option is not selectable, hence the need to for unlocking, rooting and then running a third-party tethering program or flashing a ROM which has tethering (all do).

I am not sure how familiar local shops will be with an AT&T device so I'm not sure I'd go that route. The unlock code seems pretty easy to get via the usual paid channels. Rooting is straight-forward - there are a number of very easy to follow tutorials on Youtube. After that just get a tethering program from the Play Store, or flash a different ROM.

[BKKdreaming]

Hi.....

thanks for the info, I am in California right now for the holidays , so I can get the unlock code here off Ebay

And figure out how to flash the Rom ......

When I get that figured out I will be a little smarter and maybe then I can figure out how to change my T-molile T849 7 inch Galaxy tab to a phone like it is sold in Europe, and Thailand,

I like the size of the 7 inch tab for taking it with me when walking around town , my iPad just seems too big , plus its the 1st generation without a camera , and I like having a camera with a big screen to show the local people how they look after I take their picture,

Merry Christmas...... BK

[lomatopo]

You should be able to unlock the T849 as well. Then you could use any SIM in it. It would work here for GSM voice and (2G) data. Since it only supports 2100 MHz 3G (in addition to the more or less proprietary 1700/2100 T-Mo frequencies) it would only work with TOT here, for now.