UPDATE 2: Apple has taken it down again, with no explanation yet again. So what gives?

UPDATE: It’s back in the App Store (at least in the US. Get it here [App Store link].

One feature that many iPhone users have clamored for was a way to tether their laptop to the iPhone to use its 3G/EDGE broadband connection. This is doable with some smartphones and up until now doable only on a jailbroken iPhone. Seems AT&T user agreements usually charge extra for such a service.

Last night Nullriver’s NetShare iPhone App, a $9.99 tethering app for the iPhone briefly appeared in the App Store and was quickly unavailable! The few that got to purchase it says it worked well.

No one has any idea what happened at Apple with NetShare. Was someone asleep at the Apple approval switch? Is this app to be only sold in other countries and got in the US store by accident? Seems like a shame as this app would be an asset to many mobile users.

Developer reply:
We’re not quite sure why Apple took down the application yet, we’ve received no communication from Apple thus far. NetShare did not violate any of the Developer or AppStore agreements. We’re hoping we’ll get some feedback from Apple tomorrow. 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, I would hope Apple will allow it in countries where the provider does permit tethering.

MacRumors has some screenshots of the NetShare App.

UPDATE: From the developer, NullRiver: “Hi, NetShare is back on the Apple Store, hopefully for good this time! 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 to our knowledge. It is unknown how mobile phone carriers may react to using the program. Or if they are even in a position to tell. My personal advice is to not go NUTS just yet by downloading tons. Also be aware that contracts/carriers vary in what they offer from country to country, please be careful your service doesn’t have a metered limit, that if you go over may incur extra costs for you.”

Not sure what is going on with this app. I bought as soon as it reappeared and hop to give it a try later today. My suggestion is if you desire to tether our iPhone to use its broadband connection, grab this app. Use it sparingly as it may be very well against your carriers user agreement.

    | Tags: iPhone