Is it relatively easy to tether an android smartphone to the chromebook? I have a galaxy s phone with unlimited data plan and was hoping to tether instead of buying the 3g chromebook.
Thanks!
Tether, either by PDAnet or other app turns your phone in a USB modem. The operating system that you plug it into must first actually look for internet access at the USB connection and second, be able to recognize the USB device as a modem. From the promo material I have read so far, the USB connection is evolving, and from what I've read as of a couple days ago (16Jun2011), the answer is no.
Two things. One, there is always some hacker out there who wants to do the same thing you want (have your Chromebook recognize your cell phone) and has the tools to make it happen. YMMV. Second, Droymac is talking about turning your phone into a wifi hotspot. The phone would act as a wireless router, you would log in and be connected to the web via your phone's data plan. There are ways to do this without paying the $15/month. Again, YMMV.