[wirelesstoronto-discuss] App idea

[M. Al-Nuaimy]

Specifically, there are a number of applications that will turn an iphone
into an ad-hoc wifi router, using 3g as the backhaul. This got me wondering
if there as any utility in creating a similar app that could be configured
to use either 3g/edge or a neighbouring closed wifi hotspot (such as second
cup or starbucks) and repeat a wireless Toronto open hotspot.

Brilliant, I love it! Can you write it?  

 

[Mo:] Sadly, no. I'm not really a programmer (I just play one on small
underfunded projects). The coding element of something like this would
definitely be above my skill level.

 

[Mo:] On the other hand, I'm reasonably handy at project design, proposal
writing, project management and usability design, so if there was a source
of funding I'd be happy to chase after it. Michele, is this something MIEC
could help us find?

 

Also, how does one release an app on the App Store, so people needn't
(necessarily) jailbreak?

 

[Mo:] This sounds like a question for Gabe. How was working with the App
Store people when you released the current Wireless Toronto app?

 

Is this the sort of thing that could be cobbled together from existing open
source technology, or would it be a major programming challenge? If it's the
former, iot might be worth creating versions for WinMo and Android, and
unleash a legion of ad-hoc hotspots.

I like the sound of that. I can't use real VoIP on the iPhone?  Fine.  I'll
use the iPhone's 3G as a backhaul for a mobile hotspot, and use the real
VoIP on the netbook in my backpack instead.  Eat it, Rogers.

 

[Mo:] Actually, if you have a jailbroken phone there's a handy app called
iPhone Unrestricor that tricks apps into thinking they're still on Wifi. It
works with skype.

 

Also, are there legal implications we should be worried about?

 Probably not.  But once people realize the implications of someone giving
away an app like this, expect the fearmongering to start.

 

I think this is when we may find out that the capped data plans, even the
big ones, are the real problem after all.

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