NetShare for iPhone: now you see it, now you don't

Stephen Withers
Monday, 04 August 2008 08:33

Business IT - Technology

On Friday, a iPhone application called NetShare appeared in Apple's App Store. By Saturday, it had vanished. What's going on?

NetShare's purpose is to allow an iPhone's Internet connection to be shared with a computer. This arrangement is variously described as 'tethering' or 'mobile as a modem'.

Software is only added to the App Store after being vetted by Apple. Developer Nullriver is mystified by what's happened.

"We're not quite sure why Apple took down the NetShare application yet, we've received no communication from Apple thus far. NetShare did not violate any of the Developer or AppStore agreements," company officials wrote on Nullriver's home page.

"We're hoping we'll get some feedback from Apple today. Sorry to all the folks that couldn't get it in time. We'll do our best to try to get the application back onto the AppStore if at all possible. At the very least, we hope Apple will allow it to be used in countries where the provider does permit tethering."

The most likely explanation is that some of the plans sold with iPhones in various countries only allow for the use of data on the handset itself.

For example, AT&T's iPhone plans forbid tethering. Optus's plans refer to "browsing the Internet from your mobile" which is ambiguous.

Is that adequate reason for pulling the app? Please read on.