Personal Hotspot in iOS 4.3 Limited to Three WiFi Connections

The Internet got a little worked up today over news that AT&T was apparently “limiting” Personal Hotspot from iOS 4.3 to three WiFi connections. However, it is apparent that AT&T wasn’t at fault, but the limiting to three WiFi connections is part of iOS 4.3, as clearly stated on Apple’s website.

Here is the description of Personal Hotspot from Apple’s iOS page:

…You can share your connection with up to five devices at once over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB — with up to three of those connections using Wi-Fi.4

A footnote for this line reveals more details:

4 Personal Hotspot requires a supporting hotspot tethering plan from your carrier and works with up to three devices over Wi-Fi, three devices over Bluetooth, and one device over USB.

This is more than generous, considering our 3G data speeds fluctuate based on your location and network. When are you in a situation that requires sharing WiFi with more than three people? Even when you’re sharing with three people, it would be for light surfing anyways. iPhone users are just happy to have the Personal Hotspot option as a native iOS feature.

Do you care that Personal Hotspot is limited to three WiFi connections?

[Engadget]

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