Android 2.2 will have built-in tethering, WiFi hotspot (but will carriers allow it?)

The good news: Tech Crunch found that USB tethering and the ability to serve as a WiFi hotspot will be built into Android 2.2, aka Froyo. The bad news: Don't count on all carriers leaving this feature intact. OK, so Sprint has its $29-a-month hotspot option on the Evo 4G, and Verizon has its free hotspot option on the Palm Pre. So it's not unprecedented. As for TMo and AT&T? Nothing official yet. But those of us running custom ROMs know that it's plenty easy to tether in spite of a carrier's wishes, so we're not all worked up about anything. One way or another, it's a welcome addition to Froyo, which should be unveiled next week at Google I\O. [Tech Crunch]

Phil Nickinson