I’m sure Google wasn’t planning on spoiling Sprint’s party, but it looks like the upcoming Android 2.2 update will give Android users both USB tethering and WiFi hotspot functionality backed right into the OS. Sprint will be the first to market to offer WiFi hotspot functionality with the HTC EVO 4G, but it would appear Google thinks this should be a core feature for all Android users. Those of us with rooted Android handsets have been enjoying these “new” features for quite some time already, but it’s nice to see this included in all future Android builds. However, there’s no guarantee that carriers will actually allow users to use the new tethering capabilities on their networks. Traditionally, carriers like to keep a close guard on their networks and the data that handsets are pulling down. We’ll have to wait to see how this plays out once an Android 2.2 handset actually shows up on a U.S. carrier.
Source: TechCrunch
Sprint has announced that they will not be blocking the app as they have no intention from disturbing the user’s experience.