pdaNet will make Verizon put it's money where it's mouth is..

I just got my brand new Motorola Droid. Beyond all of the cool barcode goodness I am using it as a tool to keep me connected to the Internet. Too bad tethering doesn't come out until 2010. Right? Even then it's going to cost an arm and a leg. Right? Maybe not, (I say maybe because I'm sure that there's an all new firmware update vs hacker war brewing on the Verizon.. er um horizon. I'm getting a little ahead of myself though.)
This is a wonderful 30 dollar (single fee) application that allows usb and blutooth tethering to a new Droid. So you might not have to wait for Verizon to get in gear but you also risk the software being locked out or disabled by a future firmware update. That is the glass half empty view though. In my opinion Verizon has been the most honorable of the major cellphone companies. They have been on the right side of net neutrality issues (as far as I've seen recently) and made some really good decisions regarding app support too. In fact when the issue of Google Voice came up (a program that also could cut into Verizon's bottom line the CEO stepped in and said they would not interfere with it. pdaNet was available it download from the marketplace on the Droid. This doesn't seem to be a mistake as google removed all tethering apps from T-mobil's maketplace per their request (or tantrum whatever works for you). Google could certainly do the same for Verizon. Hopefully, Verizon's CEO is to be believed when he said “A device is open or it is not. This is an open device,” but we'll have to see if he sticks to those guns. If he does he will earn the respect and (non-contractually bound) loyalty of at least one guy if not he will prove that Verizon is all talk and no show.