Google seems to step off on the right footing with their upcoming Android 2.2 (FroYo) firmware update that will see the inclusion of USB tethering right from the get go, letting you share your data connection with your notebook or computer wherever you are, as long as there is a decent 3G/HSDPA signal in the vicinity. This is in stark contrast to Apple and AT&T who have yet to enable that in the US officially. Apart from that, another piece of good news would be the ability to use your Android-powered handset running FroYo to function as a portable Wi-Fi hotspot. Sounds neat, eh? Not really, as Nokia smartphones have long supported USB tethering already, and with software such as JoikuSpot running on the Symbian platform, you can turn your phone into a Wi-Fi hotspot. At least it is nice to see Google play catch up, and we can expect to see Android-powered phones being more popular now – or would it?
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