Open Garden: Internet Sharing

Open Garden shares Internet connections between laptops, tablets and phones. No root access is required. It is similar to a Wi-Fi hotspot, but it uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Direct.

To use it, install it on both your phone and your tablet, so they can connect.

If it is "not available on your carrier", get the APK here: https://opengarden.com/download

Android 4.4.x (KitKat) has several VPN bugs, so Open Garden will not work:

https://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=62714

https://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=62588

https://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=61948

Features:

✓ Share your Mobile Internet (Wi-Fi or 3G/4G) for free with your Android tablet or Windows / OS X laptop

✓ Access more Wi-Fi hotspots through other phones, tablets and laptops running Open Garden

✓ Stay connected to the Internet automatically whenever your tablet or laptop doesn't have access to Wi-Fi

✓ Extend the range of existing networks by linking multiple devices together

✓ Faster and more reliable Internet by crowdsourcing connectivity from nearby devices running Open Garden

Open Garden requires Bluetooth and to be installed on all devices, such as your Android phone, tablet or laptop. Once installed devices will automatically connect (in about 2 minutes). Wi-Fi direct is supported where available.

Your laptop or Android tablet can now access mobile Internet coming from your phone anywhere they have no Wi-Fi. No buttons to press and nothing to configure, everything is done automatically once the app is installed on all devices.

When more devices running Open Garden are nearby, they automatically interconnect to create a peer-to-peer mesh network.

To detect nearby peers, we use location services. That includes GPS, if no other location service is available and functioning. Connections can also be initiated manually using NFC - just tap the devices together!

The Open Garden app is completely free. Open Garden usage is covered under the same phone data plan you have and no tethering or hotspot plan is needed.

Open Garden works like a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot and provides you with the same benefits as tethering applications.

It is comparable to PDA Net or EasyTether but doesn't require the use of a USB cable. It works without root like FoxFi, but doesn't limit your usage if you don't pay. And unlike Wifi Tether or Barnacle no root access is required.

Open Garden is a wireless mesh networking application that also turns any of your devices into a portable hotspot. When installed on your laptop and your Android phone, Open Garden enables use of software like Skype, Dropbox and any mail client or browser on your laptop. Access Internet on the go as if you were at home!

Webpage: https://opengarden.com

Twitter: @opengarden https://twitter.com/OpenGarden

Help us improve Open Garden and get support: http://forum.opengarden.com

Related app on iOS: FireChat #FireChat