Third-Party Android Tethering App AvailableThird-Party Android Tethering App Available

A company called Tether is offering a beta application that will allow Android devices to act as wireless modems and tether to a laptop. Tethering a smartphone to a laptop lets users take advantage of their smartphone's data connection, which means they can avoid using a dedicated laptop dongle. Tether makes the popular TetherBerry application for BlackBerries.

This beta application, says Tether, is 40% faster than its competition. It is only available to Windows PC users, who must download and install the Tether PC software (here) first. Users will need to download the application for their Android device (here), make sure they can install off-Android Market apps, and then hook the two together.

How much does this application cost? Tether says, "The number one question we've been asked is will existing customers need to purchase a new Android license. Our team has decided, after much debate, that existing Tether customers will be able to get the Android version with a huge discount."

"The pricing will also be different than our current BlackBerry solution, for a number of business reasons. Keep in mind that your Android version will be transferable to any other Android, should you upgrade, change or lose your phone in the future for no cost. Exactly how our BlackBerry version currently operates."

In other words, if you've already paid to use Tether on another device, Tether is offering the Android version for a lower price.

The beta, for the time being, is free. Tether didn't say when the 1.0 version will become available.