In a completely logical, non-faceslapping move towards Apple and it’s audience of developers, AT&T has allowed tethering to take place via the iPhone while still disallowing bandwidth-intensive applications such as Slingbox and Skype from using their crappy and slow bogged-down network and bandwidth.

The move was greeted heartily with boos today at the WWDC upon announcement, and also because iPhone OS 3.0 will not contain the ability to send/receive MMS messages until “later this summer”, which going by ACT (AT&T Central Time) could be anywhere around December or 2010 for us.

The (poorly-drawn) relationship between AT&T and Apple

Skype? WiFi only.

Slingbox? WiFi only.

Anything else that is absolutely necessary to be portable but AT&T might whine about? WiFi only.

But tethering? Strangely, computers are allowed to utilize AT&T’s precious bandwidth, which they are treating like oil these days (or napkins at Subway, etc.).

So how long before people whom decide to download gigabytes of data or torrents over said network make us lose this privilege? And somehow this makes more sense than allowing MMS messages (which other phones/carriers allow) from being sent over the same network.

The best part is, even with all of these limitations on what can be sent over their network, it doesn’t even compensate for their crummy service to begin with.

I guess “more bars in more places” was referring to more alcohol-serving businesses whom would allow you to use their phone, or drink away the pains of trying to get service via AT&T. Just don’t let them catch you trying to put something worthwhile over said network, because then they’ll come down on you (via Apple) with full force.