I just ordered a Nexus 4 and I am trying to figure some things about before it arrives. I do not plan to root this phone (been a root-a-holic too long; trying to stay stock for a while). With an unrooted, stock Nexus 4, can I wifi tether to my Nexus 7 tablet? I do not intend to share data through wifi tether with my laptop or desktop, but only to my Nexus 7 tablet. Will this work with a non-rooted, stock Nexus 4?
motorapido said:
I just ordered a Nexus 4 and I am trying to figure some things about before it arrives. I do not plan to root this phone (been a root-a-holic too long; trying to stay stock for a while). With an unrooted, stock Nexus 4, can I wifi tether to my Nexus 7 tablet? I do not intend to share data through wifi tether with my laptop or desktop, but only to my Nexus 7 tablet. Will this work with a non-rooted, stock Nexus 4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could use the mobile hotspot function, or even bluetooth tethering.
abaaaabbbb63 said:
You could use the mobile hotspot function, or even bluetooth tethering.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, but just to reconfirm -- I can do the wifi tethering on the N4 WITHOUT rooting the phone?
motorapido said:
OK, but just to reconfirm -- I can do the wifi tethering on the N4 WITHOUT rooting the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
right.
but youll also probably need tethering to be a part of your phone plan, depending on your provider/plan.
simms22 said:
right.
but youll also probably need tethering to be a part of your phone plan, depending on your provider/plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I currently use a Samsung Exhibit 4g rooted and running AOIP rom, which is 4.2.2. I have T-Mobile without paying for a special tethering option. I go into settings and turn on the wifi tethering that is part of JellyBean and I can tether to my Nexus 7 tablet just fine. If I try to tether to my laptop or a desktop computer, however, I get blocked.
All I want to do with the Nexus 4 is tether to my Nexus 7 tablet, so I am curious if this works on my Exhibit 4g rooted, with Jelly Bean, will it work with the Nexus 4 unrooted on Jelly Bean?
I think I have read that regardless of what you do, tethering to another tablet or phone works fine, but tethering to a desktop or laptop computer gets blocked unless you use some special proxy or something.
motorapido said:
I think I have read that regardless of what you do, tethering to another tablet or phone works fine, but tethering to a desktop or laptop computer gets blocked unless you use some special proxy or something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
right. i tether to my nexus 7 without them counting it towards my tethering limit. as soon as i tether my laptop, they start counting data.
Related
so ive got an evo. and i use my wireless tethering quite often. and when the galaxy tab came out, i tried to tether it to my phone, and i couldnt get it to work. i have no interest in a 3g or 4g connection for a tablet, atleast not now. so does anyone have any idea if i will be able to piggyback the xoom off of my phone?
bhuggans said:
so ive got an evo. and i use my wireless tethering quite often. and when the galaxy tab came out, i tried to tether it to my phone, and i couldnt get it to work. i have no interest in a 3g or 4g connection for a tablet, atleast not now. so does anyone have any idea if i will be able to piggyback the xoom off of my phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It should work the same as any other wireless device. My wife uses her IPAD off my evo all the time.
have you tried tethering a android device to another android tablet? i tried it with a hero and an evo. couldnt get either to work.
bhuggans said:
have you tried tethering a android device to another android tablet? i tried it with a hero and an evo. couldnt get either to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have done it with other android phones ( ie someone sharing my internet) but never an android tablet.
bhuggans said:
have you tried tethering a android device to another android tablet? i tried it with a hero and an evo. couldnt get either to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which did you tether to what. HTC EVO, being designed for tethering has the proper wifi drivers to offer full infrastructure mode tethering. Some other devices, maybe the Hero, originally not being designed for wifi-tethering, only offered a certain kind of tethering that didn't work with some devices. IIRC this was fixed in the freely available Android Wifi Tether app. So if you tried to share your EVO's connection with the Hero, that should have worked. The reverse maybe not so much.
I tethered my HTC EVO to a Viewsonic G-Tablet with no problem so I don't foresee a issue with the xoom.
i was using wifi tether on my evo to provide the galaxy tab with internet. couldnt get it to work. so we tried the wifi tether on my brothers hero, and that would not support it either. im crossing my fingers that the xoom will be able to.
Your wifi tether program might not be working, I had the htc evo 4g and tether to the ipad, laptop, galaxy tab without a problem.
bhuggans said:
i was using wifi tether on my evo to provide the galaxy tab with internet. couldnt get it to work. so we tried the wifi tether on my brothers hero, and that would not support it either. im crossing my fingers that the xoom will be able to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Samsung Galaxy Tab
bhuggans said:
i was using wifi tether on my evo to provide the galaxy tab with internet. couldnt get it to work. so we tried the wifi tether on my brothers hero, and that would not support it either. im crossing my fingers that the xoom will be able to.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
are you using an app or the native tethering btw? theres a few apps that only offer ad hoc wifi which isnt really "meant" for internet. It more of a device to device type thing. while infrastructure is internet to device and thats what you want from your evo. i think i explained that right, i havent slept for like a day. i got too freakin excited about preorder i couldnt fall asleep lol
I had that problem initially with the Viewsonic G-Tablet and with my Kindle. Change the wifi channel in the tethering app to anything but what it is, and try again.
Wireless tether, I've been able to have other android phones and an iPhone see it. For some strange reason barnacle won't show up on a scan with other wifi phones. It's probably going into a different mode that laptops can see but some phones can't.
socomdark said:
are you using an app or the native tethering btw? theres a few apps that only offer ad hoc wifi which isnt really "meant" for internet. It more of a device to device type thing. while infrastructure is internet to device and thats what you want from your evo. i think i explained that right, i havent slept for like a day. i got too freakin excited about preorder i couldnt fall asleep lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you are right. Android devices can't wifi connect to ad-hoc connections, thus tethering doesn't work. However, if you have hotspot capability on your phone it might be different. Or even different tethering programs that don't do ad hoc. Do these exist?
I could wireless tether the Viewsonic Gtab (pre and post root) to my Evo using Fresh Rom and the included wireless tether. Fast and stable
I'm using the wifi tether app for root users from the android market. And yes it works great with my netbook, work desktop, home desktop, and even my ps3. As well as supplying a connection for a buddies iPhone. But when trying to connect the galaxy tab... nothing. It didnt even recognize it. I guess we will see in a few days. Cause this "will be a dealbreaker ladies" (for those that watch 30 rock)
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Hello, im trying to tether my galaxy tab running 3.1 using my Charge. My tab doesn't seem to find it? Works fine with my macbook though. I've tried with wireless tether and barnicle. Any help would be great!
I use pdanet tablet. It's specially made to tether your phone with your tab. Do some searches in the market.
Turb0wned said:
Hello, im trying to tether my galaxy tab running 3.1 using my Charge. My tab doesn't seem to find it? Works fine with my macbook though. I've tried with wireless tether and barnicle. Any help would be great!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is you Charge rooted? My guess is probably, but Android does not support ad-hoc networks, so you have to change the wpa_supplicant file to have it be able to work becuase wireless tether broadcasts ad-hoc.
Mitchmoney said:
I use pdanet tablet. It's specially made to tether your phone with your tab. Do some searches in the market.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you!
tghockey07 said:
Is you Charge rooted? My guess is probably, but Android does not support ad-hoc networks, so you have to change the wpa_supplicant file to have it be able to work becuase wireless tether broadcasts ad-hoc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How is that done?
Not to rub salt into anyones wound, but my rooted Evo 4G with CyanogenMod works perfectly as a wifi hotspot for my Tab.
This alone makes rooting your Android phone so worth it.
Raistlin1 said:
Not to rub salt into anyones wound, but my rooted Evo 4G with CyanogenMod works perfectly as a wifi hotspot for my Tab.
This alone makes rooting your Android phone so worth it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same here with SGSII. Company wifi was down all day long and i had to use my phone to provide internet service to the tab and the ipad
Hi all
Just want to know if the nexus7 can be tethered via BT and uses as a modem
Thanks andrew
Given that the N7 has no cellular modem, obviously not.
If you're asking if you can tether the N7 _to_ a phone and use the phone's cellular network, yes, as long as the phone supports Bluetooth PAN profile (Not the older DUN profile)
The GNex _supports_ this however Bluetooth teathering is still broken (please star this ticket if you want to see it fixed http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=22369 )
Your much better using the wifi hotspot on your phone rather than bluetooth tethering.
i've been using that with my asus transformer and it's perfect.
neok44 said:
Your much better using the wifi hotspot on your phone rather than bluetooth tethering.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
:good::good:
dammerel said:
Hi all
Just want to know if the nexus7 can be tethered via BT and uses as a modem
Thanks andrew
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BT tethering works great from my Galaxy S Showcase to my Galaxy Tab (both running AOKP).
I'm in a facility where we can't have rogue wifi signals, so bluetooth is the way to go. Additionally, the wi-fi eats up my battery, but the bluetooth isnt too taxing.
X1088LoD said:
BT tethering works great from my Galaxy S Showcase to my Galaxy Tab (both running AOKP).
I'm in a facility where we can't have rogue wifi signals, so bluetooth is the way to go. Additionally, the wi-fi eats up my battery, but the bluetooth isnt too taxing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed, I could run bluetooth tethering all day on my Nexus 1/ZTE Blade with minimal effect of the battery. That way I could just leave it on and my tablet used it as needed, much more satisfying.
SilentMobius said:
Given that the N7 has no cellular modem, obviously not.
If you're asking if you can tether the N7 _to_ a phone and use the phone's cellular network, yes, as long as the phone supports Bluetooth PAN profile (Not the older DUN profile)
The GNex _supports_ this however Bluetooth teathering is still broken (please star this ticket if you want to see it fixed http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=22369 )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So we can't Bluetooth tether the 2 Nexus devices? That is pretty lame. This is one of those areas I appreciate Apple for. All devices should come togerther seemlessly, bluetooth saves battery over wifi tether. I hope Google fixes this before my N7 comes.
The N7 can't tether data TO anything, it has nothing to share. But it can tether from something, personally it's tethering data from my SGS3 which tops out around 2mbps over Bluetooth, which I find more than fast enough.
Also, as a previous person has already mentioned WiFi tethering rapes the balls off my battery, Bluetooth does not and I can tether all day long without a care in the world.
Phil
kerman19 said:
The N7 can't tether data TO anything, it has nothing to share. But it can tether from something, personally it's tethering data from my SGS3 which tops out around 2mbps over Bluetooth, which I find more than fast enough.
Also, as a previous person has already mentioned WiFi tethering rapes the balls off my battery, Bluetooth does not and I can tether all day long without a care in the world.
Phil
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know the N7 can't share anything, sorry I was replying to the post I quoted above stating the Galaxy Nexus Bluetooth Tether is bunked :'(
It's worth mentioning that if you use wifi tether if you use auto update for apps over wifi it might rinse your data allowence. The thing I like about the Bluetooth tether is that you can switch on data tethering from the device which requires data - eg if your nexus 7 is paired, you can switch the data connection on and off from the nexus 7. Useful if you don't want to keep pulling out two devices.
craigel99 said:
It's worth mentioning that if you use wifi tether if you use auto update for apps over wifi it might rinse your data allowence. The thing I like about the Bluetooth tether is that you can switch on data tethering from the device which requires data - eg if your nexus 7 is paired, you can switch the data connection on and off from the nexus 7. Useful if you don't want to keep pulling out two devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You beat me to it. Bluetooth is lower power, is flexible, and your apps will not auto udpate which can be a huge problem for people with limited data plans.
I have a gigabyte per month, which is great, but I'm not updating most apps with it.
EvilDeadFan said:
You beat me to it. Bluetooth is lower power, is flexible, and your apps will not auto udpate which can be a huge problem for people with limited data plans.
I have a gigabyte per month, which is great, but I'm not updating most apps with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How's the BT tether speed compared to wifi tether?
As others have said, bluetooth tethering is the way to go. Runs all day long, is just as fast, and is easy to control. I can BT tether to my gnex as well as my razr without any problems (all through the stock UI, no 3rd party apps/hacks/etc), so I'm not sure what the earlier reports are regarding BT PAN being broken.
brianbrain said:
As others have said, bluetooth tethering is the way to go. Runs all day long, is just as fast, and is easy to control. I can BT tether to my gnex as well as my razr without any problems (all through the stock UI, no 3rd party apps/hacks/etc), so I'm not sure what the earlier reports are regarding BT PAN being broken.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a JB rom on my GNex, I'll have to give BT a shot later on. Only used WiFi so far, but as mentioned, it kills battery.
What are you guys using to bt tether (what app on the phone)?
Sent from my ADR6400L using xda premium
brizey said:
What are you guys using to bt tether (what app on the phone)?
Sent from my ADR6400L using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just turn Bluetooth on for both devices and pair them.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
tomh1979 said:
Just turn Bluetooth on for both devices and pair them.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, I didn't actually expect this to work. Speeds seem to be comparable for what I'm doing so far, let's see how battery usage goes!
cr4k2k8 said:
Wow, I didn't actually expect this to work. Speeds seem to be comparable for what I'm doing so far, let's see how battery usage goes!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
me neither! Feel like such a newb.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
Mine worked once, then once both devices went to sleep and I turned the screens back on it quit working. Now it won't let me share my connection to my N7 from my Gnex. I have to use the WiFi hot spot which kills battery among other things. Any ideas? I want to leave it on on my phone all the time and just have to switch it on and off on my N7 when needed.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
The issue I'm having BT tether from stock droid inc 2 to stock nexus 7 is that certain apps don't recognize the connection like gmail and Netflix also issues with Google now ' any ideas ?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
I love the nexus 7 but I am really wanting a tablet with a cell radio. The tablet is great just like my nexus phone. Would anyone have a recommendation for VZW. I have been out of the tablet world lately and didn't know if anything else was worth the money. I'd hate to get an ipad just because there isn't a android tablet that is any good.
drewcam888 said:
I love the nexus 7 but I am really wanting a tablet with a cell radio. The tablet is great just like my nexus phone. Would anyone have a recommendation for VZW. I have been out of the tablet world lately and didn't know if anything else was worth the money. I'd hate to get an ipad just because there isn't a android tablet that is any good.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well you stated that you had a GNex, so why not just tether it to your tablet, that way you don't have to pay for 2 data contracts and only have to pay for one.
That's what I do... if you have such an easy device to root just do it... the nexus don't have all the problems other phones do when rooting and running custom Roms
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
You can share the cell phone via a "hotspot" and use any tablet you want. You'd want to check your phone to make sure it has the mobile hotspot feature but most of them do. Aside from that, I don't know much about the other tablets.
edit: this 5 minute between posts thing is getting old. ^^what they said
Unfortunately tethering isnt an option.
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Tablets+from+Verizon
drewcam888 said:
Unfortunately tethering isnt an option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just curious to why you say this? Tethering is very simple to setup and is the best option IMHO. Why would you want two data plans?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
TheIowaKid said:
Just curious to why you say this? Tethering is very simple to setup and is the best option IMHO. Why would you want two data plans?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe its a carrier limitation for him...
VZW can't block tethering anymore...
Im on VZW, Im not rooted on either my phone nor my tablet and I tether via FoxFi. So not sure, why tethering isnt an option, its the best option out there IMO.
the user of the tablet will not have a phone to tether with
drewcam888 said:
the user of the tablet will not have a phone to tether with
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3 choices
1) Get something other than the Nexus 7.
2) Get the person a phone with a data plan that they can tether with
3) Get the person a 3g/4g hotspot device
Where is the native Tethering option in the Nexus 7??
Don't tell me that this is missing also.. I am starting to think it was a big mistake to buy a "pure google" tablet. Yeah, pure "emptyness"
RusherDude said:
Where is the native Tethering option in the Nexus 7??
Don't tell me that this is missing also.. I am starting to think it was a big mistake to buy a "pure google" tablet. Yeah, pure "emptyness"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean? The N7 is a WiFi only device. Or am I misunderstanding your question?
Sent from my Paranoid Nexus 7
RusherDude said:
Where is the native Tethering option in the Nexus 7??
Don't tell me that this is missing also.. I am starting to think it was a big mistake to buy a "pure google" tablet. Yeah, pure "emptyness"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a solution, sell it to..no give it to me. LOL
I have tethered the N7 countless times. You use the wifi to search out porto hotspot you create on your phone, whatever it may be. Then connect.
:cyclops:
The n7 is a WiFi only. Smartphones can tether because of their 2g/3g capability.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
Nexus 7 is not a Wifi Device only, it also has a microUSB connector so it could tether via that one.
And anyway, even if it has wifi only and to be honest wouldn't have sense to tether to other wifi devices (since they could gather wifi from the primary sender..) but why they took us the option anyway? If I wanna, just for the lulz of it, block my smartphone from getting WiFi from the router, and do thethering from the nexus 7, why they have to cut out this option? :S
Your question was fine your answer was stupid.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
RusherDude said:
Nexus 7 is not a Wifi Device only, it also has a microUSB connector so it could tether via that one.
And anyway, even if it has wifi only and to be honest wouldn't have sense to tether to other wifi devices (since they could gather wifi from the primary sender..) but why they took us the option anyway? If I wanna, just for the lulz of it, block my smartphone from getting WiFi from the router, and do thethering from the nexus 7, why they have to cut out this option? :S
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lolwut?
You mean this?
Or this?
If not, I think you're misunderstanding how people commonly use the term tethering.
If I am wrong, you need to tell us, exactly, how you want to "tether".
RusherDude said:
Where is the native Tethering option in the Nexus 7??
Don't tell me that this is missing also.. I am starting to think it was a big mistake to buy a "pure google" tablet. Yeah, pure "emptyness"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
RockNrolling said:
What do you mean? The N7 is a WiFi only device. Or am I misunderstanding your question?
Sent from my Paranoid Nexus 7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I m confused too..
RusherDude said:
Nexus 7 is not a Wifi Device only, it also has a microUSB connector so it could tether via that one.
And anyway, even if it has wifi only and to be honest wouldn't have sense to tether to other wifi devices (since they could gather wifi from the primary sender..) but why they took us the option anyway? If I wanna, just for the lulz of it, block my smartphone from getting WiFi from the router, and do thethering from the nexus 7, why they have to cut out this option? :S
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No disrespect but ur coming off as stupid right now
Sent from my Rooted, LazyPanda, White "Destroy Mode" Evo
I'm assuming he means the ability to use USB Tethering (as in, provide Internet to a device or computer, over USB, from the Nexus 7 and a WiFi). A bit surprised people haven't really heard of this option, but it is indeed missing from the Nexus 7.
espionage724 said:
I'm assuming he means the ability to use USB Tethering (as in, provide Internet to a device or computer, over USB, from the Nexus 7 and a WiFi). A bit surprised people haven't really heard of this option, but it is indeed missing from the Nexus 7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly.. it seems that noone knows about tethering FROM TABLET TO PC/OTHERS, when it is clearly an option in some scenarios.
Thank you for confirming that its missing. What a deception..
espionage724 said:
I'm assuming he means the ability to use USB Tethering (as in, provide Internet to a device or computer, over USB, from the Nexus 7 and a WiFi). A bit surprised people haven't really heard of this option, but it is indeed missing from the Nexus 7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Eh, doesn't really shock me. It doesn't really seem like a huge amount of people do that, at least compared to wifi tethering.
That being said, do tablets/phones normally have the option? Usually I see it having to be implemented after release by the community.
Edit: Opps, misread one of the links I put up.
Still some clarification other than "No tethering on Nexus 7" would've helped. There are multiple ways to do it.
Also, why not research before buying if it is such a big deal?
biohazrd51 said:
That being said, do tablets/phones normally have the option? Usually I see it having to be implemented after release by the community.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Non WiFi-only devices usually have it (my SGT7 had the option), can't really say if WiFi-only devices have it though.
espionage724 said:
I'm assuming he means the ability to use USB Tethering (as in, provide Internet to a device or computer, over USB, from the Nexus 7 and a WiFi). A bit surprised people haven't really heard of this option, but it is indeed missing from the Nexus 7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK I get what you're saying. But I fail to see in what instance I would want to tether (share the internet connection) from my N7 with another device via USB.
Would I tether from my N7 to my phone? My phone can use whatever WiFi my N7 is on. Not to mention my phone has 3G.
Would I tether from my N7 to my laptop? My laptop can use whatever WiFi my N7 is using.
Now, I could see the the reverse of both of those circumstances. If I had 3G but no WiFi, I would want to share the 3G from my phone with my N7. Or if my laptop was using an Ethernet connection and no WiFi was available, I would want to share the connection from my laptop to my N7.
I hope I'm just misinterpreting this whole thing and I'll be slapping my forehead when I understand, but from what I've read so far, that seems unlikely.
Sent from my Paranoid Nexus 7
WOW ..
My only Question is WHY.. Nearly all if not all laptops in the past 10 years have had wifi built in. I think its not a option because it makes no sense to have another wifi capable device to usb tether a available wifi network when it can just get the signal itself . Likely stronger and more stable . faster then adding another hop thru data transfer .
My phone has usb tether built in with ICS .. You can use a app to enable what your looking for .I think pda net does it..
Good Luck People in here do understand what your asking . The confusion is WHY ...
RockNrolling said:
OK I get what you're saying. But I fail to see in what instance I would want to tether (share the internet connection) from my N7 with another device via USB.
Would I tether from my N7 to my phone? My phone can use whatever WiFi my N7 is on. Not to mention my phone has 3G.
Would I tether from my N7 to my laptop? My laptop can use whatever WiFi my N7 is using.
Now, I could see the the reverse of both of those circumstances. If I had 3G but no WiFi, I would want to share the 3G from my phone with my N7. Or if my laptop was using an Ethernet connection and no WiFi was available, I would want to share the connection from my laptop to my N7.
I hope I'm just misinterpreting this whole thing and I'll be slapping my forehead when I understand, but from what I've read so far, that seems unlikely.
Sent from my Paranoid Nexus 7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is pretty much it. Commonly I see it as "reverse tethering" where someone wants to use the computers internet connection on the phone via USB connection. Due to lack of wifi/cell data connectivity, or to save data on their plan.
biohazrd51 said:
That is pretty much it. Commonly I see it as "reverse tethering" where someone wants to use the computers internet connection on the phone via USB connection. Due to lack of wifi/cell data connectivity, or to save data on their plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, I understand. I see how that has the potential to maybe be useful . But at it's best, it seems like a very limited application.
Sent from my Paranoid Nexus 7
RockNrolling said:
Ah, I understand. I see how that has the potential to maybe be useful . But at it's best, it seems like a very limited application.
Sent from my Paranoid Nexus 7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. Like espionage724 said, his SGT7 had it. I'm not entire sure, but I've never heard of stock android having this ability. I'd be willing to bet that the manufacturer put it in themselves.
Moral of the story: do your homework before buying.
I guess it would be useful if your wifi router was down so you could use your PC's internet access.
If implemented properly is should be faster for LAN file transfers (assuming you get good usb transfer speeds...obviously a PC on a gigabit LAN will crush wifi, so the usb 2 is the limiting factor...usb 2 is supposed to be a lot faster than wifi, but in practice, it does not always pan out).
I guess I could find a use for it. In our house 99% of the time only our tablets and phones use wifi. All of our fixed position devices are on a gigabit lan (media players, blueray player, HT recevier, wii, main PC, printer, even our laptop, which is really just the kitchen table PC now that we have a bunch of tablets). When I work from home I dock my work laptop on the LAN, and so does my wife. Wireless blows when there is a gigE jack nearby.
I've been trying to get reverse USB tether to work on the Nexus 7 with no luck