Besides using a portable 3G-enabled router, there is another way to get connected on the go.
Your Android smartphone can be turned into a portable wireless hot spot through what is known as Wi-Fi tethering. Essentially, your phone becomes a Wi-Fi router with which you can connect other devices to the Net through its 3G link.
Wi-Fi tethering is part of the latest Android 2.2 operating system (OS). Google Nexus One users who have upgraded to this OS can activate this feature in Settings> Wireless & Network Settings>Tethering & Portable Hotspot. Turn on the portable Wi-Fi feature from there. Remember to set a password to keep Wi-Fi leechers out.
A number of Android phones from Samsung, HTC and others are expected to get the Android 2.2 upgrade later this year. In the meantime, users can turn to third-party applications like PDAnet, which enables users to hook up via USB and Bluetooth, but not over Wi-Fi.
My experience with my six-month old Nexus One has been nothing short of excellent. On a recent trip to Malaysia, I shared the Nexus One‘s connection with a friend, while connecting two laptops and an iPhone to the Net.
Everything worked well for tasks like surfing the Net and checking e-mail messages.
However, you will have to rein in your expectations if you are logging on to corporate servers via a Virtual Private Network link, or if you are watching YouTube videos, as concurrent connections can tax your phone’s mobile data link.