This news is a couple months old, but somehow I missed it!  Apparently, owning an Android-based phone will not only give you access to  thousands of awesome apps, but your own personal portable internet router!

A friend of mine told me she heard this was coming soon and wanted me to check into it. 

With ‘Froyo,’ Google’s code word for Android 2.2, you will be able to make your phone a portable Wi-Fi hotspot.  So, anywhere you have phone service, you will have Internet!  Your laptop will see your phone as a wireless network, and connect right up.  This has been available with the PalmOS phones for additional cost.  Its not sure if there will be a cost associated with the tethering, but I’m hoping they keep it free!

This is very exciting, and sets the stage for your phone to really be like a mini-robot.  I always joke that my Android phone is my very own personal R2D2…and it definitely is just as handy as the Star Wars version. . . light-saber app & all!

Check out these articles on the subject:

ZDNet:  Android 2.2 lays down the guantlet, includes WiFi tethering

ZDNet:  Google Android 2.2 Froyo

Wired:  Android 2.2 ‘Froyo’ Features USB, Wi-Fi Tethering