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Wed, Nov 19, 2008 - 06:01 PM EST  —  AAPL: 86.29 (-3.62, -4.03%)  |  NASDAQ: 1386.42 (-96.85, -6.53%)

Nullriver’s NetShare iPhone tethering app disappears from Apple’s App Store again
Friday, August 01, 2008 - 11:49 PM EST

Did you get it? Those lucky enough to have grabbed Nullriver's NetShare during "App Store Availability Periods 1 and 2" can share their iPhone's EDGE or 3G Internet connection with their computer.

After first making Nullriver's US$9.99 NetShare application for iPhone and iPhone 3G available via their App Store, and then pulling it, and then selling it again, Apple has once again pulled the app from public sale. It comes up in iTunes Store search, but generates a "currently not available" message when clicked:



MacDailyNews Note: We tried a number of iTunes Store's around the world and couldn't find NetShare available in any of the countries we checked. Let us know if you find it.

[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader "David" for the heads up.]

MacDailyNews Take: What's going on? We have no idea (but, see AT&T's iPhone Terms and Conditions below). All we know is that we have the app and it works. And Verizon is about to lose multiple $60/mo. EVDO accounts from us if it keeps working as it does now.

AT&T's iPhone Terms and Conditions:
Prohibited and Permissible Uses: Data Service sessions may be conducted only for the following purposes: (i) Internet browsing; (ii) email; and (iii) corporate intranet access (including access to corporate email, customer relationship management, sales force automation, and field service automation applications). PROHIBITED USES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO... UNLIMITED PLANS (EXCEPT FOR DATACONNECT AND BLACKBERRY TETHERED) CANNOT BE USED FOR ANY APPLICATIONS THAT TETHER THE DEVICE (THROUGH USE OF, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, CONNECTION KITS, OTHER PHONE/PDA-TO-COMPUTER ACCESSORIES, BLUETOOTH® OR ANY OTHER WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY) TO LAPTOPS, PCS, OR OTHER EQUIPMENT FOR ANY PURPOSE.

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Reader Feedback: ( = registered)

Aug 01, 08 - 11:03 pm Comment from: crapman

crap!! i was just about to buy it too!!

Aug 01, 08 - 11:11 pm Comment from: Tommy Boy

I got it in the brief window this afternoon. Haven't got it to work yet tho...

Aug 01, 08 - 11:19 pm Comment from: Mac Daddy

Phew, I got it on Round Two. Works great with 0G iPhone on edge, even. Edge sucks, but if I gotta get online out in nowhere, it's a lifesaver!

Aug 01, 08 - 11:19 pm Comment from: It works beautifully!

The directions Apple Insider provided were clear; I can't believe how fast my laptop screams on 3G!

Aug 01, 08 - 11:21 pm Comment from: Steveeee

I got it a few hours ago in Hong Kong. It's still here but I'm not sure whether we can buy it because I'd already got it.

Aug 01, 08 - 11:24 pm Comment from: jim

What if Nullriver is playing around with their itunes connect settings to make the app appear and disappear?

Certainly is helping with getting attention and improving sales.

If Nullriver are indeed doing that I'd be very disappointed with them.

Considering how thorough Apple is with the approval process, I'd be very surprised they would have let this just slip by.

I feel we are being played. I hope I'm wrong...regardless the app is worth it.

Aug 01, 08 - 11:28 pm Comment from: matt

what if you click buy??? it asks for password but when click on it doesnt work.. i dont want to loose 10 dollars..

Aug 01, 08 - 11:30 pm Comment from: gotitbro

2nd round got it, don't even have an iphone yet.

Aug 01, 08 - 11:33 pm Comment from: CYxodus

Apple...What gives. I'm looking forward to getting this app when I get my iPhone in several months. I'm really want to connect my DS and PSP to it and play online while I'm away from home.

Aug 01, 08 - 11:36 pm Comment from: matt

i hearr you cyxodus..... i am trying to buy it and says that it cant because it was removed while you were using the store!!! omg.

Aug 02, 08 - 12:05 am Comment from: tom tomorrow

I got it this afternoon the second I noticed it was available again. I'm thrilled with this. 3G feels just as fast on my laptop as my regular wifi broadband connection. I love this program!! Hopefully it will be back up soon...otherwise, I'm sure it'll be on thepiratebay

Aug 02, 08 - 12:14 am Comment from: Gordon McIntosh

Thank you MacDailyNews, got it "2nd Round" in New Zealand, though still don't have a 3G data plan for my 3G iPhone. Vodafone here in New Zealand are so greedy they make the Canadians look like Santa.

Aug 02, 08 - 12:28 am Comment from: Hugo in Vancouver

At 4.00 this afternoon it was on Canada Apps store - now its gone again.

I dont see a problem for AT&T;or Apple - it uses data through 3G that the customer gets through the iPhone. Its limited anyway. so whats the big deal?

Reality: All the Telcos hope you will only use a fraction of your data plan - if everybody used 6 gigs a month, the system would collapse. (In Canada we get 6 gb for $30 from Rogers)

Aug 02, 08 - 12:31 am Comment from: Jim - TIV

Got it second round, works like a charm! Like others have posted above, it's very surprising with my Macbook on 3G... hope it continues to run and doesn't get disabled soon.

Aug 02, 08 - 12:33 am Comment from: berbabed

got it several hours ago it works,but sporadically. it cant make up its mind...sick...im glad I got it. now work out the kinks!

Aug 02, 08 - 12:34 am Comment from: Wil

I hope they bring it back. Something like that, I'd hate to go to the torrents. I would pay good money for something like that

Aug 02, 08 - 12:38 am Comment from: Jubei

Bring it back..... knock Verizon off their cocky pedestal.

Aug 02, 08 - 12:38 am Comment from: makemineamac

Thank God I got it. Wonder what else is going to come about as a result of this. Think Apple will email us all saying we need to stop using it? Not gonna happen...

Aug 02, 08 - 12:41 am Comment from: mrboma

The program violates At&T;'s iPhone license agreement. That is why Apple had to pull it from the app store. So if you use this app, AT&T;can come after you.

Aug 02, 08 - 12:42 am Comment from: mike

WII, the app is wrapped with fairplay DRM so even if it is "torrented", it will be basically the same as putting up a DRM song from the iTunes Store.

Aug 02, 08 - 12:47 am Comment from: Nosrac

I got it during round 2 and it works great wink

If anyone is considering buying it and it comes back on don't hesitate

Aug 02, 08 - 12:47 am Comment from: Tiger

I managed to snag it before it disappeared again. Works fine, but still too many steps to go from my usual Wi-Fi to my iPhone tether.

Anyone figure out how to do it with one click on the MacBook and one click on the iPhone?

Aug 02, 08 - 12:47 am Comment from: adbvhxbz

Nullriver should upload their app with a different name each day and/or bundle it with an other app and dare Apple and AT&T;to do something about it.

Aug 02, 08 - 01:00 am Comment from: Brau

If you really want this app, send AT&T;an email telling them how you would buy an iPhone and use their service to get it. Money talks!

Aug 02, 08 - 01:15 am Comment from: neo

i got it the second time around. it works. very very very awesome. screw starbucks and their 11 dollar a day internet fees.

Aug 02, 08 - 01:32 am Comment from: Alternate 3G for Desktops

Alltel offers 3G nationwide for $60 a month with unlimited bandwidth if you are in their primary service area. Both USB and slot phones are available.

I work out in the sticks during the week where the in-house internet is heavily filtered and the AT&T;/Verizon/T-Mobile service sucks.

The Alltel service is stable and quite good. It's not cable modem speed, but beats the pants off of most public internet and all DSL I have seen.

Aug 02, 08 - 01:53 am Comment from: karim

I live in Belgium and I got robbed by MOBISTAR ( 615 euro or 975 $) to get hold of an offical (unlocked) IPHONE 3G. My PROXIMUS data plan 2G allows me to do any kind of teethering, yet Apple decides not to let me do it, by yanking the Netshare App away. I am outraged by this kind of behavior, that forces us to end up with a "downgraded" product. I guess I was just crazy to buy the product in the first place.

Aug 02, 08 - 01:54 am Comment from: cvvmkmzcskv

That ain't all that's disappearing.

http://www.macnn.com/articles/08/08/01/apple.nixes.security.talk/

Looks like Apple is forsaking its obligation to its users.

Aug 02, 08 - 02:03 am Comment from: bioness

I got it, luckily .

I bet its those damn contracts from carriers that is forcing the app store to remove tethering.

Aug 02, 08 - 05:25 am Comment from: Moo

@karim

*sigh*

Instead of explaining once again why Apple pulled this app, I'll simply agree with you.

Yes, you were absolutely crazy to have bought an iPhone.

I, however, know how to read, therefore I know why Apple had to remove the App, and am quite happy with my iPhone.

(I also dl'd the App during round two, because I know how to read)

Aug 02, 08 - 06:33 am Comment from: Sixvodkas

Poor, sad little fanboi cvvmkmzcskv muttered "Looks like Apple is forsaking its obligation to its users.".

If pathetic little cvvmkmzcskv had the reading comprehension skills of a 5th grader, impotent cvvmkmzcskv would have noted that Charles Edge backed out because Mr Edge had entered into a confidentiality agreement with Apple.

Furthermore, if flaccid minded cvvmkmzcskv truly expects anyone to believe that Jeff Moss (he's the director of the conference Mr Edge was bound by agreement to bail out of) is an impartial party in the story he so misguidedly linked to, then feeble fanboi cvvmkmzcskv has lost whatever skills of reason he *thought* he possessed.

Nice try, cvvmkmzcskv!

Not.

Aug 02, 08 - 07:45 am Comment from: TB2

I picked up this app last night, apparently just before it got pulled again. I haven't tried it yet and do have some concerns over it violating the AT&T;agreement. That said, what are the odds Apple kills the app with 2.x and we're stuck with a do nothing app?

Aug 02, 08 - 08:08 am Comment from: matt

now its gone from even being searched!! jsut now!!!!! I was waiting for this to become available again. I was awy from my computer last night and i saw it and it was unavailable... i just called apple.. you can use it and why would you worry that it would violate your service.. you bought this through the app store!! lol! thats what the apple guy said..

Aug 02, 08 - 08:13 am Comment from: a;kblksmb

SixVodkas,

You spelled my name wrong, fanboi.

<b>"Charles Edge backed out because Mr Edge had entered into a confidentiality agreement with Apple.<.b>

in other words, Apple is reluctant and rightfully embarrassed to divulge facts that Apple's vaunted OS X has more holes than Swiss cheese.

Given the fact that Mr. Edge is prohibited from speaking about the flaws in OS X, why wouldn't Apple participate as a silent member of the audience? Probably because recent revelations that Apple's recent security fix isn't is too and Apple is concerned that the myth of Apple superiority is becoming more fallacious day by day.

You can spin Apple's reticence to attend the Black Hat conference any way you want, but Apple's failure to engage in serious discussions about security demonstrates nothing less than corporate irresponsibility.

Aug 02, 08 - 08:24 am Comment from: Fanboy Frigtard

"crap!! i was just about to buy it too!!"

This is a strong argument for total Apple control of all iPhone apps. Steve has determined that you would not find modem software useful. Anyone who thinks otherwise is clearly a windows loving troll. Anyone who uses this app is stealing from Apple and AT&T;. That can not be tolerated.

Aug 02, 08 - 08:43 am Comment from: Sir Gill Bates

Sixvodkas,

"Furthermore, if flaccid minded cvvmkmzcskv truly expects ..."

It's not just his mind that's flaccid. This moronic troll lifestyle is his way of venting his sexual frustrations. There's only one person in the world who can help him to get up in the morning, feel good with himself and rise to the occasion.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruth_Westheimer

Aug 02, 08 - 09:14 am Comment from: werd

So what is the trick to check itunes in other countries? (In case it pops up again, or Apple allows it to be sold where tethering is OK outside the US?)

Aug 02, 08 - 10:06 am Comment from: docgwu

I got it but can't get it to work

Aug 02, 08 - 10:33 am Comment from: keep it simple

@mrboma

"The program violates At&T;'s iPhone license agreement. That is why Apple had to pull it from the app store. So if you use this app, AT&T;can come after you."

That does not explain why it has been removed from the international iTunes stores. Rogers in Canada allows tethering so why has the app been pulled from the Canadian iTunes store? There is something else going on here.

Aug 02, 08 - 10:43 am Comment from: Anonymous©

Alltel stinks. I got the Kyocera PC card for my TiPB. It was $80 a month, if you don't have a cellphone with them, and $60 if you do. Then they also wanted $300 as a deposit for both the PC card and the cellphone. They say when they run a credit check, if you come up good, they'll return the deposits, but you get a letter a couple months later saying they didn't run the check, and won't give you the deposit.

After you close your account when your contract runs out, they wait over 6 months to return your deposits, and this is after you call to remind them!

Believe me, you don't want to deal with Alltel.

Aug 02, 08 - 10:43 am Comment from: Superior Mind

HOW IS THIS EVEN REMOTELY MAC NEWS?

Aug 02, 08 - 11:29 am Comment from: aka Christian

@docgwu,

There's a guide up at Wired.com that goes step-by-step. It was posted at digg. People are really excited by this app, but it does appear to break AT&T;'s terms of use, NOT Apple's. That's unfortunate.

Of course, as someone mentioned above, it already has a life of its own on the web now and those who want it will have it, for sure.

Aug 02, 08 - 11:36 am Comment from: Jon

Superior Mind,

"Superior mind" in your retarded dreams.

You're obviously a fucking moron.

Aug 02, 08 - 01:47 pm Comment from: Sir Gill Bates

docgwu,

"I got it but can't get it to work"

That's what 'cvvmkmzcskv' says.

Aug 02, 08 - 06:28 pm Comment from: lrd

AT&T;needs to lighten up and let all types of apps be deployed. It's in doing this that they'll truly get loyal customers. I hope you read this RS.

Trying to nickle and dime customers only makes them look for better deals when the contracts are over.

Aug 02, 08 - 08:46 pm Comment from: Ting

A day in the life of Ting...
1 August 2008
Sydney, Australia

Woke up,
Got out of bed,
Dragged a comb across my head....


What a grey, windy day...
Went down to the Boat Show to meet a client who makes boats.

I'm about the only management consultant I know who is Mac based down here. I use KeyNote, Numbers and want now to get off Entourage. Also, being on the road alot, I want to do away with the old Palm Tungsten (great for showing slides in a one-to-one sales pitch) and the old Nokia phone.

So I went on down to the new Apple Store in George Street where an orange T-shirted air traffic controller booked me into a session with a Genius. Twenty minutes later, I posed two questions to said Genius:

How can I re-produce the Entourage Project Centre using Apple Mail, iCal and Address Book so I make junk Entourage?
No solution available but I am going to check out MailTags and MsgFiler.

Is it possible to permit a MacBook Pro to connect (using USB cable, bluetooth, WiFi, or by any other means) through an iPhone to the internet to surf and to securely collect email using say Entourage or Apple Mail?
Well the Genius went off for a 10min consultation with an iPhone expert and came back to respond in words that suggested there may be a technical solution but policy prevents him from elaborating on it.

Went home, got onto the Apple Discussion on iPhone 3G and left a message for help...

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=7770282�Checked a couple of hours later to find that the correct term is 'tethering'. A quick Google later and there it is: Nullriver's NetShare on App Store, except it's been pulled!

Hold it! hold it! It's back on App Store!!!

Got all excited and clicked through to get it but... aaawwww $#i+!!!! it's pulled again!!!

And that was a day in my life...
Friday, 1 August 2008.
ps why no Fab Four on iTunes? Thought the case had been settled last year...

Aug 02, 08 - 08:57 pm Comment from: @Ting

Ting Relax, Steve will decide if you should be allowed to use this software or not, and you should just recognize his superior intellect and accept whatever he decides.

Aug 03, 08 - 06:56 am Comment from: Ting

Well I hope Steve puts out a tablet. Something with a 9" screen but no keyboard.

Aug 03, 08 - 07:34 am Comment from: Apple

"Well I hope Steve puts out a tablet. "

Relax, Hipster. We'll tell you when it's ready.

Aug 03, 08 - 06:20 pm Comment from: David

I am sharing the file on on peer-to-peer. Use Limewire or something like it to search for the file called Netshare.ipa.

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