Jobs says NO to iPad tether....

[FSUSem1noles]

Sooo much for that idea even though many of us already had a feeling you wouldn't be able to tether, although I can't see how you wouldn't be able to tether if you can make your phone into a wi-fi hotspot?

http://www.9to5mac.com/jobs-swedish-iphone-43609634

[Surely]

Doesn't surprise me. Allowing tethering would cannibalize the 3G version.

[dave1812dave]

Sooo much for that idea even though many of us already had a feeling you wouldn't be able to tether, although I can't see how you wouldn't be able to tether if you can make your phone into a wi-fi hotspot?

http://www.9to5mac.com/jobs-swedish-iphone-43609634

he is the man of "no".

no multi-tasking
no flash
no bikinis

and u expected a "yes" on tethering?

[samcraig]

he is the man of "no".

no multi-tasking
no flash
no bikinis

and u expected a "yes" on tethering?

Damn - because I was really hoping to listen to 80s porn music, while surfing for porn on a flash enabled site via someone else's iphone.

[FSUSem1noles]

he is the man of "no".

no multi-tasking
no flash
no bikinis

and u expected a "yes" on tethering?

Ohh, of course not, I was just holding out hope that there would be that 1 "yes".. :o

[Mactagonist]

...

http://www.9to5mac.com/jobs-swedish-iphone-43609634

Jobs is awesome. No one else in the world at his level has the balls to just answer an email like that. Much as I wish they were officially supporting tethering, I think his answers are always hilarious and almost refreshing in their dick-ish ness.

[samcraig]

Jobs is awesome. No one else in the world at his level has the balls to just answer an email like that. Much as I wish they were officially supporting tethering, I think his answers are always hilarious and almost refreshing in their dick-ish ness.

Because no one at his office could have replied "no"?

[FSUSem1noles]

Jobs is awesome. No one else in the world at his level has the balls to just answer an email like that. Much as I wish they were officially supporting tethering, I think his answers are always hilarious and almost refreshing in their dick-ish ness.

yeah, it is comical...

Guy writes a descriptive email question and Jobs shoots it down in one word...

[Roessnakhan]

People should just e-mail Schiller, and least he seems jolly. E-mailing a guy who is known to be an ******* and getting an ******* response should not come at any surprise.

[Night Spring]

Because no one at his office could have replied "no"?

Oh, it's probably one of his minor lowly minions, but it's hilarious that Jobs leaves them instructions to answer his emails in this fashion. Like the earlier poster said, no other CEO in the world would dare do such a thing.

[Mad Mac Maniac]

jobs must be using the tethering hack. he's rockin' the 3.1.2 :rolleyes:

[goobot]

so obvious. why did people think yes? like really?:confused:

[ARF900]

Jobs is awesome. No one else in the world at his level has the balls to just answer an email like that. Much as I wish they were officially supporting tethering, I think his answers are always hilarious and almost refreshing in their dick-ish ness.

Agreed, I would love to send Mr. Ballmer a similar email and see if I got a reply.

"No." is better than nothing, I love the "Sent from my iPhone" too.

[3N16MA]

People should just e-mail Schiller, and least he seems jolly. E-mailing a guy who is known to be an ******* and getting an ******* response should not come at any surprise.

The guy got a direct response to his question, I don't see anything wrong with that. No need for Steve to give him some big explanation.

[GermanSuplex]

TUAW ran a similar article a few months ago:
http://www.tuaw.com/2009/11/20/jobs-to-dev-on-app-name-change-not-that-big-of-a-deal/

Gotta say, it is a bit of a crummy response in terms of "niceness", but on the other hand, the person got the answer they asked for. "No" in any amount of words still means "no".

[Redbeastmage]

I'd prefer a blunt and simple response from Steve himself over a polite and eloquent response from his secretary any day of the week.

[kramerica2]

He can say NO as much as he wants, but he can't prevent it. Like the OP mentioned, there are apps that can turn the iphone into a mobile hot-spot. Unless he's going to remove them from the app store, there's nothing he can do about it.

[colmaclean]

there are apps that can turn the iphone into a mobile hot-spot. Unless he's going to remove them from the app store, there's nothing he can do about it.

Are these apps in the AppStore? I thought they were available only through Cydia.

[Redneck1089]

Very lame.

[EssentialParado]

Hahaha. Just read the name of the guy who sent the email, I know him personally.

Small world. :cool:

[frunkis54]

Agreed, I would love to send Mr. Ballmer a similar email and see if I got a reply.

"No." is better than nothing, I love the "Sent from my iPhone" too.

seriously? your gonna complain about a signature thats preset on iphones. do u realize it can be changed in less than 2 seconds? settings>mail>signature

[Mactagonist]

seriously? your gonna complain about a signature thats preset on iphones. do u realize it can be changed in less than 2 seconds? settings>mail>signature

I dont think it was a complaint. Just amusing that the self promoting sig is so much longer then the content of the email!

[ARF900]

Yeah, I didnt mean it is a complaint, just found it amusing.

Ive had an iPhone for almost 2 years now and I still use the default signature.

[fishmoose]

Well, that sucks I was hoping one would be able to tether. Guess the Wifi model will be a truly only Wifi model then.

[master-ceo]

master-ceo says no to the ifad and yes to a "real" computer. -Jumps out the windows on this one (fuSJ)

[jclardy]

Honestly I feel this is a stupid move. If they allowed iPhone to tether ONLY to iPad and vice versa they could build up their user bases for each product. People who buy iPad would be more likely to buy an iPhone, and people who have an iPhone would be more likely to buy an iPad.

Of course, if they did allow that people would still bash them for not allowing tethering to any device or phone.

[frunkis54]

Yeah, I didnt mean it is a complaint, just found it amusing.

Ive had an iPhone for almost 2 years now and I still use the default signature.

my apoligies then :o. when im setting up a new iphone thats one of the first things i change ok maybe the second :)

[EssentialParado]

Wouldn't tethering become a user interface nightmare though? You'd have to ensure the device isn't asleep to be able to connect to it, and it would run down the battery on both devices.

Surely a better solution is to just switch SIM card between devices, clone your sim card, or arrange some sort of duo-plan with your network provider, like a family plan, but for a family of devices. :p

[dave1812dave]

Wouldn't tethering become a user interface nightmare though? You'd have to ensure the device isn't asleep to be able to connect to it, and it would run down the battery on both devices.

Surely a better solution is to just switch SIM card between devices, clone your sim card, or arrange some sort of duo-plan with your network provider, like a family plan, but for a family of devices. :p

No more so than when using a MiFi which runs up to 4 hours on a charge. I think you are dreaming up problems that wouldn't prevent tethering from working. The Pre Plus on Verizon does tethering...

[bossxii]

Wouldn't tethering become a user interface nightmare though? You'd have to ensure the device isn't asleep to be able to connect to it, and it would run down the battery on both devices.

Surely a better solution is to just switch SIM card between devices, clone your sim card, or arrange some sort of duo-plan with your network provider, like a family plan, but for a family of devices. :p

A jailbroken iPhone can bet setup as a "mifi" device but it will in fact drain the battery at an alarming rate. I've only made it to about 3 hours max before it was dead. Even with the iPhone charging the battery level drops... it sucks down some serious power. On the iPad it won't effect battery life as it just see's this as a Wifi hotspot, unlike a BT tether that some people use with other phones to a laptop.

The tethering process is very simple. Aside form the 5 mins it takes to JB an iPhone, it's a push of a button on the iPhone. Then simply have your laptop/iPad or other Wifi device connect. No different then connecting to a wifi router.

[dave1812dave]

A jailbroken iPhone can bet setup as a "mifi" device but it will in fact drain the battery at an alarming rate. I've only made it to about 3 hours max before it was dead. Even with the iPhone charging the battery level drops... it sucks down some serious power. On the iPad it won't effect battery life as it just see's this as a Wifi hotspot, unlike a BT tether that some people use with other phones to a laptop.

The tethering process is very simple. Aside form the 5 mins it takes to JB an iPhone, it's a push of a button on the iPhone. Then simply have your laptop/iPad or other Wifi device connect. No different then connecting to a wifi router.

well, 3 hours of tethering is quite a bit for mobile devices, isn't it? especially when the device wasn't made primarily for such activity. better than nothing. I never have needed my mifi to go more than a few hours at a time, so battery life of roughly 4 hours is adequate for most real world usage. if u need more time than that, plug it in or keep a spare battery available. bummer the iphone has a non-removable battery!

[bossxii]

well, 3 hours of tethering is quite a bit for mobile devices, isn't it? especially when the device wasn't made primarily for such activity. better than nothing. I never have needed my mifi to go more than a few hours at a time, so battery life of roughly 4 hours is adequate for most real world usage. if u need more time than that, plug it in or keep a spare battery available. bummer the iphone has a non-removable battery!

I was not trying to imply it's a problem, just simply stating the facts and what to expect if someone were to JB their iPhone to tether. :)

[bluehaze013]

All the more reason to not own an iPhone LOL I don't miss iPhone at all since switching to Nexus. I did miss some of the games on the app store but that is why I am getting an iPad so now can have the best of both worlds, better phone with builtin wifi tethering and iPad for all the games on the app store.

I have a feeling iPad is really going to cut into iPhone sales in the long run being that both are redundant devices and one will offer a much better experience with the bigger screen.

[melman101]

I figured this was going to be the answer. 3G iPad here I come. I hate that I'm going on a trip April 10th and won't have it. But oh well!

[LSUtigers03]

So how exactly will Apple be able to keep mywi from working?

[jmmo20]

This is a stupid move that will only piss off those customers who got an iPhone already.

My operator allows unlimited tethering for free.
I bought an iphone and pay for an internet tariff that allows me to use my iphone and any computer.

I will most certainly NOT buy a iPad 3G just for the eventual and sporadic internet usage outside my home. Home is where my ipad would be 95% of the time.

Bad move, and they will realise it, just like they realised they had to develop an official tethering solution for the iphone.

[Mactagonist]

So how exactly will Apple be able to keep mywi from working?

The answer from Steve was rather specific.


Will the wifi-only version somehow support tethering thru my iPhone?



No.


There is no possible way Apple can keep the iPad from tethering to wifi devices like a MiFi, Overdrive, Pre+, Android with wifi tether installed, WM phone with PDAnet installed, JB'd iPhone etc...

But they can refuse to support BT tethering and I expect they will continue to do that while also, as Steve said, not offering any special way to tether iPhone directly to iPad.

This is as expected. I have an extra battery in my bag and an Android phone ready to go when I need to tether I will simply make a hotspot and connect. Simple, quick and easy.

[bossxii]

So how exactly will Apple be able to keep mywi from working?

They won't/can't. SJ's response was to someone asking if their was a "legal" way of tethering. Just as people have been tethering their iPhones for well over a year with the JB apps they will be able to tether to the iPad by making the iPhone become a wifi hotspot.

[bluehaze013]

You should still be able to tether to wifi on a jailbroken iphone, Can you jailbreak the new ones yet or do they still reset and remove all your apps from use when you reboot?

Maybe they could write something into the OS being that iphone and ipad will both use the same OS that would prevent the tether from working? Not sure on that one but it would seem like an awful lot of trouble for them to go to.

[DTphonehome]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_1_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7D11 Safari/528.16)

That's fine, steve, I'm sure devteam will figure out how to do it.

[mdriftmeyer]

People should just e-mail Schiller, and least he seems jolly. E-mailing a guy who is known to be an ******* and getting an ******* response should not come at any surprise.

Being bluntly honest is American for a-hole? Coddled your whole life or what?

Are you used to getting what you want after a tantrum?

Apple is not in charge of Tethering. The Telcos dictate the terms.

Get used to it.

I always enjoyed Steve's personality at NeXT and Apple. I always got a straight answer.

It was the mind-game, manipulative middle managers vying for a different post I couldn't stand.

[SteveSparks]

Doesn't surprise me. Allowing tethering would cannibalize the 3G version.

This whole thread is amazing. It is not a surprise at all you can't connect the iPAD to your iPHONE. There has been 0% expectation that this would be allowed.

If you had any expectation that any type of tethering would be possible, you have been hiding under a rock for several years.

[SteveSparks]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_1_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7D11 Safari/528.16)

That's fine, steve, I'm sure devteam will figure out how to do it.

That is exactly why, no. Give an inch people expect a mile.

[Niko03]

I have a feeling iPad is really going to cut into iPhone sales in the long run being that both are redundant devices and one will offer a much better experience with the bigger screen.

Not gonna happen.
The iPhone can fit in your pocket. The iPad can't.
The iPhone is a... uh... phone. The iPad isn't.

Maybe it will cut into iPod Touch sales, but not iPhone sales

[notjustjay]

I'd prefer a blunt and simple response from Steve himself over a polite and eloquent response from his secretary any day of the week.

Not to mention that usually when you send an email to a corporate executive, the answer you get back is a generic, 3 paragraph long rehash of an official press release, politely worded, that doesn't answer your question!

[cmaier]

Anyone find this at all surprising?

[Westside guy]

I think Steve Jobs should respond to his emails with long, well thought out, thorough replies that address any conceivable question the correspondent might have. I mean, how long could that possibly take?


(Do I really need to add a roll-eyes or other flag to this post to make sure someone won't think I'm being anything but sarcastic?)

[peterdevries]

People should just e-mail Schiller, and least he seems jolly. E-mailing a guy who is known to be an ******* and getting an ******* response should not come at any surprise.

Maybe he is, but he is one of the few CEO's on the planet answering emails at all.

[Peace]

Anyone find this at all surprising?

The email or this discussion ?

[scottness]

Makes me want to rethink jailbreaking.

[Darkroom]

Anyone find this at all surprising?

anyone find this surprising? double is as double does.

[The General]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_1_2 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7D11 Safari/528.16)

That's fine, steve, I'm sure devteam will figure out how to do it.

it's already possible with mywi

I think Steve Jobs should respond to his emails with long, well thought out, thorough replies that address any conceivable question the correspondent might have. I mean, how long could that possibly take?


(Do I really need to add a roll-eyes or other flag to this post to make sure someone won't think I'm being anything but sarcastic?)

no, but you do need to put a silver paragraph asking whether or not you need to.

[admanimal]

anyone find this surprising? double is as double does.

Those are nothing...the iPhone 3G S announcement story had 182 positives to 920 negatives!

[cmaier]

The email or this discussion ?

The substance. No tether.

[Mr. Zorg]

Maybe he is, but he is one of the few CEO's on the planet answering emails at all.
Amen. Many companies I can't get ANYONE to answer ANY emails...

[paepcke]

Makes me want to rethink jailbreaking.

+

Me to. I don't like to Jailbreak my iPhone 3GS to tether to the iPad. There should be no need to do this. I dont like to steal software or media content.

But If I get forced to Jailbreak by Apple (Thanks Apple, Thanks Steve!) - maybe I´m so pissed (cause of all the security issues that come with jail breaking anyway) that I have to try all the other advantages of jail breaking.

[TimothyJarman]

i am starting to get sick of all these restrictions.

If i can see one thing which will be apple downfall, its control.

Right now apples products are hot and amazing, but the future can change and you going the right way to anger your customers with ridicules rules.

[rtabdo]

so obvious. why did people think yes? like really?:confused:

hahaha. Exactly. It would be zero sense to buy the 3G version if the wireless supported tethering (legally)

Everyone finds a reason to bash at first because most people don't understand the concept of business. Apple has been the type of company that doesn't do something unless it's done right.

I remember when the iPhone came out and EVERYONE on here was crying about no physical keyboard. Now look at every smartphone coming out. Same form factor, same concepts.

[vansouza]

\ "No" in any amount of words still means "no".

And for someone who not so long ago was looking into the eyes of Death, why would he not be brief...
You said it best...:apple:

[bluehaze013]

Not gonna happen.
The iPhone can fit in your pocket. The iPad can't.
The iPhone is a... uh... phone. The iPad isn't.

Maybe it will cut into iPod Touch sales, but not iPhone sales

You might be surprised, I've already gotten rid of my iphone and I was the biggest iphone fanboy in the world LOL, theres much better offerings out there nowadays. Only advantage iphone has is the app store and i'd much rather download the good games that are 10 bucks to use on the ipad rather than a tiny phone not to mention much rather browse the web on the ipad. I don't really have a use for iphone anymore but I do for an ipad :) Guess we will have to wait and see though.

[mtnDewFTW]

Wow.. if they can give the iPad a 10 hour battery life, I wonder what they'll do with the next iPhone. Even half of that would be amazing to see on a phone.

[Don.Key]

Yawn, what a surprise...

Just continue this way Apple. With all respect to the initial iPhone success and vision - now all the SJ is doing killing the potential of the apple consumer devices.

Locked down as much as possible, censored, castrated functionality. It really reminds me of Sony crap.

But fear not, customer, many nice alternatives are on horizon. MS is really getting it together with WM7 while offering some features (http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/06/microsoft-shows-off-single-game-running-on-windows-windows-phon/) apple cannot even dream to match and Android is maturing as well.

Unfortunately, unless apple becomes customer friendly, unlocks the devices for real, unlimited development - it will be heading into the same little niche market it was always stuck in.

When I moved all my workstations / phones to apple / osx 3 years ago, I never thought that I would look back into Windows world again but sadly, I am more thrilled about release of WM7 phones then iPhone 4G which, despite all bells and whistles still will be same "You do not really own this device, it is ours" mode set by apple / SJ.

[markcres]

Fact remains that replying to a customer's email with just 'no' is plain rude

'Sorry, but no' or 'No I'm afraid' would have been the response of somebody with good manners and an understanding of common courtesy.

I suppose Jobs just sees everyone else in the world as a seething mass of ordinary 'monkeys with open wallets' !!

[yyy]

Fact remains that replying to a customer's email with just 'no' is plain rude

I disagree. He is a very busy guy and he is not supposed to even talk to customers (seriously, when was the last time Steve Ballmer replied to a customer's e-mail?). If he is willing to spend some of his precious time to read customers' mail it means he is even more attentive to their needs than other CEOs.

[wizard]

Well, that sucks I was hoping one would be able to tether. Guess the Wifi model will be a truly only Wifi model then.

That is any phone that can emulate a WiFi base station. Alternatively if the phone can work in conjunction with a WiFi hub you could connect. I believe there is software for jail broken phones to do one or the other.

What I'm trying to say here is that it would not be impossible to do given the right software and right hardware. Certainly this is more complex than a Bluetooth tether but on the otherhand ought to work really well.


Dave

[neutrino23]

Anyone find this at all surprising?

A little. It had been proposed elsewhere that this was the future. Your iPhone would be your wireless internet device. You would pay one bill for this and tether your other devices to the iPhone. In addition, the iPhone would become smaller as you would mostly use it for phone calls and for an internet connection. The iPad would serve as the larger screen when needed. It sounded plausible.

[Hamburger3]

You might be surprised, I've already gotten rid of my iphone and I was the biggest iphone fanboy in the world LOL, theres much better offerings out there nowadays. Only advantage iphone has is the app store and i'd much rather download the good games that are 10 bucks to use on the ipad rather than a tiny phone not to mention much rather browse the web on the ipad. I don't really have a use for iphone anymore but I do for an ipad :) Guess we will have to wait and see though.

I would say the ipad is not great for gaming. The only games that will work well are touch based games. The tilt games will be horrible.

Unless you are looking to play chess on a coffee table with the family.

[0dev]

Looks like I'll be jailbreaking mine, then.

[quiet]

A little. It had been proposed elsewhere that this was the future. Your iPhone would be your wireless internet device. You would pay one bill for this and tether your other devices to the iPhone. In addition, the iPhone would become smaller as you would mostly use it for phone calls and for an internet connection. The iPad would serve as the larger screen when needed. It sounded plausible.

+1 to that! I think iPad tethering would be an ideal solution for most people. That is, they would use it primarily at home, but in the rare case when they need it, they can tether. It would be extremely inconvenient to have to shell out another monthly cost for something that would be so infrequently used.
I also think allowing tethering to iPhones promotes people to buy both products. Apple doesn't force you to get a 3g dongle for laptops, so why restrict tethering on the iPad? I also don't buy the cannibalizing argument. I can not see any people buying an iPad *instead* of an iPhone.. only *in addition* to an iPhone.

[wizard]

+

Me to. I don't like to Jailbreak my iPhone 3GS to tether to the iPad. There should be no need to do this. I dont like to steal software or media content.

Jailbreaking in and of itself is not theft. It is unfortunate that some use jailbroken devices to steal software but that does not appear to be the primary or even secondary goal of the jailbreak community at large. Rather the primary goal is an independent development tool chain and the resulant unencumbered programs.

By using MiFi or other like software on the iPhone one could see thatbad a theft of service. The problem of course is that the terms also state unlimited data.


But If I get forced to Jailbreak by Apple (Thanks Apple, Thanks Steve!) - maybe I´m so pissed (cause of all the security issues that come with jail breaking anyway) that I have to try all the other advantages of jail breaking.

First off this has nothing to do with Apple or Steve so direct you attitude at AT&T. Carriers in other parts of the world support tethering in one form or another. In fact shipping iPhone software supports it right now over USB if the carrier profile allows it.

I'm actually wondering if Steve was responding precisely to USB tethering with his NO. In anyevent connecting to a cell phone via WiFi isn't strickly tethering so maybe some carriers won't have a problem. Still people have to realize it isn't an iPad issue but rather a phone issue when ""WiFi tethering"" is discussed.

As to the other benefits of Jailbreaking realize that there is a lot of perfectly legal software out there. You don't have to turn yourself into a thief to benefit from a jailbreak. On the otherhand the security risks are real wnd you need to understand how to avoid the issues.

In my case I don't jailbreak. Frankly it is because of the security risks. Since my cell phone is my only communications device I don't want it screwed up nor do I want to worry about it. I get enough of that from my Linux machines. I have thought about getting a Touch for jailbreaking though.


Dave

[ikir]

Damn - because I was really hoping to listen to 80s porn music, while surfing for porn on a flash enabled site via someone else's iphone.

:-D best post of the day

[MrSmith]

Forget the ipad. Jezper aka Airbase rocks.

[ikir]

Locked down as much as possible, censored, castrated functionality. It really reminds me of Sony crap.

LOL... Apple probably is the most open minded COMMERCIAL company. They always use standards, they do the contrary only if needed. Apple formats are usually free or even open source formats. Censored? If you are talking about App Store, Apple is doing incredibly good probably you don't ever image the amount of works and problems you encounter with a big project like that, it is impossible to please all anyway.

Sony crap? Sony and Microsoft are very close indeed, but if you can't see the difference from Apple.... you're blind.

Anyway, i agree it would be nice to have thetering on WiFi version. Commercial reason is strong, few would buy 3G version. Anyway iPad is a thing you will use 90% of the time at home with your WiFi, or anyway it is the way i see.

[ikir]

As to the other benefits of Jailbreaking realize that there is a lot of perfectly legal software out there. You don't have to turn yourself into a thief to benefit from a jailbreak. On the otherhand the security risks are real wnd you need to understand how to avoid the issues.

I work in an Apple Premium reseller, like 99% of users who jailbroken their phones do that for pirating software and they also pirate softwares that are free on AppStore. it is easy to say things like what you wrote in a internet forum... reality is much more different.

[ikir]

First off this has nothing to do with Apple or Steve so direct you attitude at AT&T. Carriers in other parts of the world support tethering in one form or another. In fact shipping iPhone software supports it right now over USB if the carrier profile allows it.

Indeed in my country i use my iphone for thetering on my MBP 13" often, without paying anything extra. It is a carrier choice.

[CrackedButter]

When Steve talks about things being 'cool', (like viewing a website on a ten inch screen) it pales in comparison to being able to tether devices such as the iPhone and the iPad together as it seems so obvious, nothing Apple offers, is cooler than this.

[wizard]

Looks like I'll be jailbreaking mine, then.

The only ports on iPad suitable for this are the WiFi and Blutooth ports. Apple has never support Blutooth networking so that leaves the WiFi port. What you would need to do is to jailbreak your cell phone.

[jmmo20]

To all those people who think releasing a tethering solution for owners of iphones would cannibalise iPad 3G versions… maybe you buy 3 out of each device you use, like 2 iphones, 2 ipods, 2 ipads, 2 macbooks, 2 imacs.

Well, I don't.

I already own a mobile internet device that fits in my pocket. It's called an iPhone 3G. In July I will buy the next generation, for sure.

It fits in my pocket and i'm really happy with my provider. I pay 30 bucks for unlimited internet (really unlimited, no cap) and free tethering to as many devices as I wish. I carry my phone everywhere.

Then came the iPad. I consider the iPad an "extra" .. I wouldn't really need it but I think it's cool. My iPad would live most of the time at home. I would use it as a easy and fast internet device, to check stuff without the need to open the computer.

3G connectivity ? Sure, I would use it eventually, when I travel, or when I take my iPad to work to give a presentation. However in those cases I will be carrying AS WELL my iPhone.

There's NO WAY IN HELL that I would need to buy an iPad 3G.
Really, no way.

So in a sense, Apple would be cannibalising sales of their iPad Wifi version, because If I cannot tether my iphone to my ipad, I just refuse to buy it. Plain and simple.

There's no way to justify the more expensive 3G version when you already own an iphone. NONE. (at least for me and unless you have buckets of money to waste, I don't think you would, either)

[colmaclean]

I work in an Apple Premium reseller, like 99% of users who jailbroken their phones do that for pirating software and they also pirate softwares that are free on AppStore. it is easy to say things like what you wrote in a internet forum... reality is much more different.

How do you pirate free software? Are they selling it for a price?

[Bevz]

Just as well i have NetShare.

I was one of the lucky ones and downloaded it legit from the AppStore. It still works like a charm when i need to tether my macbook ;)

[wizard]

I work in an Apple Premium reseller, like 99% of users who jailbroken their phones do that for pirating software and they also pirate softwares that are free on AppStore.

I highly doubt the accuracy of your numbers. Besides some simply jailbreak to free up networking on the device. As to people stealing free software that is all kinds of stupid but it isn't as bad as stealing from developers trying to make a living.
it is easy to say things like what you wrote in a internet forum... reality is much more different.
Like wise it is just as easy for you to pull numbers out of your ass. Especially when you imply that nearly 100% of the jailbreak community are thieves. The problem is that even if the Jailbreak community disappeared tomorrow you still have a planet full of people with a weak sense if morality or ethics. Until society developed the will to deal with such people you can't wish it away. The offensive part though is painting with such a wide brush. I almost suspect that we will hear next that GNU/Linux and it's community are also a bunch of thieves.

[nik911sc]

As I live in Oz and tethering is allowed, I am terribly disappointed that the iPhone wont be able to tether to the iPad.

I dont think its a terribly smart strategy. Its purely based on commercial grounds as there are no technical issues to overcome.

I am sure we will see miniature wi-fi routers coming out of China real soon with built in 30 pin docks to plug straight in the iPhone and create a wi-fi network which the iPad will be able to access but this is a wasteful hardware workaround for something that should be activated through software.

I will not buy a 3G iPad on principal.

On the surface, the strategy Apple is pursuing here is very Microsoft restrictive and as a long time Apple devotee, I am so appalled that for the first time I will be more open to non-Apple alternatives.

[scottness]

Just as well i have NetShare.

I was one of the lucky ones and downloaded it legit from the AppStore. It still works like a charm when i need to tether my macbook ;)

Wish I had downloaded NetShare.:(

[AAPLaday]

If i was to get one then id probably get the wifi only version as i don't see myself using it outside of my or my friends houses. The 3g version wouldn't be that useful for me because if i really needed to access the net when im out of wifi range i always have my iPhone on me. Its not like the iPhone suddenly became a bad browser or anything ;)

[Bevz]

Wish I had downloaded NetShare.:(

I read somewhere they can "blacklist" apps which will essentially forcibly remove it from your iPhone... It's there to stop viruses... I wouldn't be surprised if they do that when the iPad comes out, or find a way to stop the program from working with the iPad... Either way, i've got a suspicion it won't work...
The way i look at it, so far what have they had to loose from a small number of people using netshare to tether their macs? Nothing directly... It was the carriers that lost out (well, only in their minds!), BUT the iPad is a different thing; Apple WILL lose out if i tether using a wi-fi only iPad as they could have sold me a 3G iPad, so i think they'll do everything in their power to stop ANY form of tethering on the wi-fi version...
Because of this, i remain sceptical it'll work; soon find out then i get my hands on an iPad ;)

[scottness]

I read somewhere they can "blacklist" apps which will essentially forcibly remove it from your iPhone... It's there to stop viruses... I wouldn't be surprised if they do that when the iPad comes out, or find a way to stop the program from working with the iPad... Either way, i've got a suspicion it won't work...
The way i look at it, so far what have they had to loose from a small number of people using netshare to tether their macs? Nothing directly... It was the carriers that lost out (well, only in their minds!), BUT the iPad is a different thing; Apple WILL lose out if i tether using a wi-fi only iPad as they could have sold me a 3G iPad, so i think they'll do everything in their power to stop ANY form of tethering on the wi-fi version...
Because of this, i remain sceptical it'll work; soon find out then i get my hands on an iPad ;)

Eh... maybe I'll just wait for the 3g version.

[Bevz]

If i was to get one then id probably get the wifi only version as i don't see myself using it outside of my or my friends houses. The 3g version wouldn't be that useful for me because if i really needed to access the net when im out of wifi range i always have my iPhone on me. Its not like the iPhone suddenly became a bad browser or anything ;)

Couldn't agree more. I've struggled with the idea of getting an iPad at all because i use the iPhone at home for all the things i would use an iPad for... However, the techno geek in me wants a new gadget and wants that big screen! Also, the price of the wi-fi only is an absolute steal! I think they'd need to sort out the streaming on it though; front row on it or maybe wireless syncing because 64gb really isn't gonna cut it... and i really don't want to be plugging this thing in every 5 mins... For this reason i wont' buy on day one; i'll hang on a bit and read some reviews... Luckily (well, for me anyway), the UK won't get it for a month after the US which means i'll have plenty of time to read some reviews first.

[Bevz]

Eh... maybe I'll just wait for the 3g version.

:D

[AAPLaday]

Yes we wont get it till April sometime so it lets our U.S. cousins road test it for us :D

[ninethirty]

I wrote Steve a lengthy email about an hour ago calling him out on a lot of stuff Apple is taking heat for at the moment, and he replied about an hour later with this:

"The tethering issue is up to the carriers, not us.

Sent from my iPhone"

[Tmog]

The only ports on iPad suitable for this are the WiFi and Blutooth ports. Apple has never support Blutooth networking so that leaves the WiFi port. What you would need to do is to jailbreak your cell phone.

Actually Apple do support Bluetooth networking, I am often using it with my iPhone. Again, if any, it is the carrier blocking it. In Denmark it is rather common to have unlimited wireless data together with your iPhone.

I am actually really disappointed about the missing tethering. If I cannot use the tethering option, I will have to bring my Macbook whenever I leave home, in order to have internet access - what is the point then? I thought the iPad would be the smart little computer you could bring along (and no way I am going to pay two times unlimited data access - that is sort of a contradiction in terms).

[Jezper]

Forget the ipad. Jezper aka Airbase rocks.

Hehe, thanks!

This thing got quite big. I see a lot of people posting "duh" things. And to be honest, I wasn't expecting anything else than a no from Steve anyway. I just wanted it confirmed once and for all. Someone said a nice thing on 9to5mac that sums it up quite well; It's hard to be an Apple fan these days.

On the other hand, if it would be easy, everyone would do it :)

[Jezper]

I wrote Steve a lengthy email about an hour ago calling him out on a lot of stuff Apple is taking heat for at the moment, and he replied about an hour later with this:

"The tethering issue is up to the carriers, not us.

Sent from my iPhone"


So why can't I tether an iPad to an iPhone when my carrier supports tethering already? His reply doesn't make sense here. Or did he forget they sell iPhones and soon also iPads all over the globe at places where tethering works just fine?

[ninethirty]

I refuse to believe as well, that Apple couldn't have pressured operators on this issue. I can use my iPhone for data all I want, but I can't share that connection with another mobile device that will use similar amounts of data? The whole situation is strange.

So why can't I tether an iPad to an iPhone when my carrier supports tethering already? His reply doesn't make sense here. Or did he forget they sell iPhones and soon also iPads all over the globe at places where tethering works just fine?

[TMay]

Jailbreaking in and of itself is not theft. It is unfortunate that some use jailbroken devices to steal software but that does not appear to be the primary or even secondary goal of the jailbreak community at large. Rather the primary goal is an independent development tool chain and the resulant unencumbered programs.

By using MiFi or other like software on the iPhone one could see thatbad a theft of service. The problem of course is that the terms also state unlimited data.



First off this has nothing to do with Apple or Steve so direct you attitude at AT&T. Carriers in other parts of the world support tethering in one form or another. In fact shipping iPhone software supports it right now over USB if the carrier profile allows it.

I'm actually wondering if Steve was responding precisely to USB tethering with his NO. In anyevent connecting to a cell phone via WiFi isn't strickly tethering so maybe some carriers won't have a problem. Still people have to realize it isn't an iPad issue but rather a phone issue when ""WiFi tethering"" is discussed.

As to the other benefits of Jailbreaking realize that there is a lot of perfectly legal software out there. You don't have to turn yourself into a thief to benefit from a jailbreak. On the otherhand the security risks are real wnd you need to understand how to avoid the issues.

In my case I don't jailbreak. Frankly it is because of the security risks. Since my cell phone is my only communications device I don't want it screwed up nor do I want to worry about it. I get enough of that from my Linux machines. I have thought about getting a Touch for jailbreaking though.


Dave

Maybe the tethering problem is as you say related to a physical connection; I'm thinking specifically of how the iPad is build around the concept of rotation from landscape to portrait and back and even flipping. Any physical connection would be a mess in iPad use, including tethering with an iPhone. Apple doesn't go for anything that messes up how they perceive the user experience.

On the other hand, I would like to be able to tether a mac to an iPad, that case being the iPad would be a near passive device. In my specific case, I would be working at a desk, and at best, I would be using the iPad as an input device via a wireless connection.

With a tethering setup to a mac, using either an iPad with Skype or an iPhone, I could kill my landline and DSL for a saving that would match an unlimited data and text iPhone plan.

I suspect that what Apple really needs to provide is peer to peer wireless (WiFi) in an Ad Hoc way, auto connecting whenever customer specified devices were in wireless range. This is the tethering that I am looking for.

[kiljoy616]

Ohh, of course not, I was just holding out hope that there would be that 1 "yes".. :o

Just get the 3G and you have on demand all the time. :p

I still can't see my self using it out and about, 3G is just to slow for me in Dallas.

But knowing that it has N as part of its wifi makes me very very happy, I can walk all around and even outside for a bit and get still full access to the web. :D

[healeydave]

If its at all a true statement from Apple (that I seriously doubt), its a huge disappointment!!!!!!!!

It won't stop me from buying the Wifi only iPad, as I already have requirements for it but on the off-chance that it ever leaves my house, I would like to think I could still get access via my iPhone which already has 3G access.

For an occasional external user like myself, why would I want the expense of having a second 3G contract that seldom gets use. Hell my iPhone's own 3G contract barely ever gets used for data.

If true, absolutely short-sighted!!

[ValSalva]

10.5 hours of battery life. Huh. Is that with the screen brightness turned all the way down? If it is 10.5 hours, with video playback, it will be amazing. Also wonder if it's a battery breakthrough that might get passed on to the next generation of MBP.

[thfcpoole]

It can tether,

Just tether your iPhone to your macbook. Then create a network from your MacBook sharing your iPhones internet connection.

Then have an iPhone an Macbook and an iPad on the table ready to use.

Maybe you could strap your iPad to the bottom of your MacBook, open your MacBook and you have a nice vertical stand and tethered internet (providing you have an iPhone on you as well.

[ogee]

Ive not read the complete thread so this may have been mentioned, but the best way to connect an iPad or iPod Touch to the internet is via a so called MiFi device.

MiFi is a personal Wlan device, there are several available now, and on most networks. The EU price of these devices is around €250, and typically have an (mini) SD card slot as well. As and example there is http://www.novatelwireless.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=297&Itemid=643 or http://www.vodafone.com/start/media_relations/news/group_press_releases/2009/vodafone_to_launch.html

internet on any network, any device, any where.

[pmz]

I'm glad so many are still falsely afraid of jailbreaking, an the knowledge of why it's a huge benefit is so limited. More for me to enjoy without the clueless public screwing it up somehow. ;)

[skate71290]

I would say the ipad is not great for gaming. The only games that will work well are touch based games. The tilt games will be horrible.

Unless you are looking to play chess on a coffee table with the family.

I ove a lot of games on the App Store, but granted loads are a waste of space, but now we have started seeing DS/PSP similar titles, such as Need For Speed, Rayman, Final Fantasy :) plus awesome games that just rule: Doodle Jump, Minigore... just easy to pick up and play without having to worry about save data, profiles, any of that crap we get on the PSP/DS

[healeydave]

It can tether,

Just tether your iPhone to your macbook. Then create a network from your MacBook sharing your iPhones internet connection.

Then have an iPhone an Macbook and an iPad on the table ready to use.

Maybe you could strap your iPad to the bottom of your MacBook, open your MacBook and you have a nice vertical stand and tethered internet (providing you have an iPhone on you as well.

Good point, thats one way, I suspect if I was carting my MBA around though I wouldn't need to take the iPad too.

I do a similar thing at home already. My iMac 27 is connected to my servers upstairs via gigabit connection and my Airport was always off and un-used, but I now use it as a localised wireless hub in my lounge for my iPhones, Wii etc.

[zipa]

Ive not read the complete thread so this may have been mentioned, but the best way to connect an iPad or iPod Touch to the internet is via a so called MiFi device.

MiFi is a personal Wlan device, there are several available now, and on most networks. The EU price of these devices is around €250, and typically have an (mini) SD card slot as well. As and example there is http://www.novatelwireless.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=297&Itemid=643 or http://www.vodafone.com/start/media_relations/news/group_press_releases/2009/vodafone_to_launch.html

internet on any network, any device, any where.

Just get a phone that does that for you. I use Joikuspot for 9 euros to turn my phone into a WiFi-hotspot whenever I want to. Soooo much easier than buying yet another device to lug around you or going through the hassle of switching SIM cards between devices.

[Vmaatta]

.. that this only applies to the US (and other such limiting markets) just like other iPhone tethering. That’s if the email is genuine.

Here (in Finland) the iPhone can tether just fine without me asking the carrier for permission or paying extra for something that is a basic feature. Hopefully the iPad doesn’t have made up blocks on it. I’m a bit surprised as the source is Swedish but nothing says “SJ” knew he was replying to a non-US email.

[melman101]

.. that this only applies to the US (and other such limiting markets) just like other iPhone tethering. That’s if the email is genuine.

Here (in Finland) the iPhone can tether just fine without me asking the carrier for permission or paying extra for something that is a basic feature. Hopefully the iPad doesn’t have made up blocks on it. I’m a bit surprised as the source is Swedish but nothing says “SJ” knew he was replying to a non-US email.

I wouldn't get your hopes up. The fact of the matter is that the official bluetooth tethering needs to create a special network, something which most likely is only enabled on real Mac OS X. With iPhone OS's limited bluetooth capabilities, I would doubt this work. No one has ever answered whether they have successfully tethered an iPhone and an iPod Touch with Apple's Official Tethering solution. So I would doubt it works, and they probably aren't going to add it.

[baryon]

Haha, Steve seems to get really annoyed when people ask him about things like this, judging from his short responses.

Would anyone dare ask him whether the iPad will have Blu-Ray? :D

[Stella]

Strange decision in my IMO. You can tether iPhone to other devices, but not the iPad?


Hmm, weird decision, Apple.

^^^ Joikuspot - great application! The best $9 I've spent in a while.

[Jayomat]

Agreed, I would love to send Mr. Ballmer a similar email and see if I got a reply.

"No." is better than nothing, I love the "Sent from my iPhone" too.

It's the default signature.. ;)

Did anyone even dare to believe it's a simple "fake" of someone who thought it's funny? (Don't get me wrong, I guess the "no" is pretty legit and I don't believe tethering will be enabled) I mean it's easier to fake than some benchmarks or mockups.. ;)

[gehrbox]

Wow.. if they can give the iPad a 10 hour battery life, I wonder what they'll do with the next iPhone. Even half of that would be amazing to see on a phone.

10 hours of battery life while doing what? My iPhone 3GS will gladly make it through 10 hours of use if I limit it to 2 hours of music, a half dozen or so phone calls and receive/send several emails.

BUT the same phone will lose half its charge in a 45 minute web surfing session on 3G while listening to music (wow multi-tasking on an iPhone!).

My guess is that the 10 hour figure has a lot more to do with reading a book then it does with network access.

[Jezper]

You can tether iPhone to other devices, but not the iPad?


Oh, well said! That's the shortest way to to explain my point of view as well.

[gehrbox]

Couldn't agree more. I've struggled with the idea of getting an iPad at all because i use the iPhone at home for all the things i would use an iPad for... However, the techno geek in me wants a new gadget and wants that big screen! Also, the price of the wi-fi only is an absolute steal! I think they'd need to sort out the streaming on it though; front row on it or maybe wireless syncing because 64gb really isn't gonna cut it... and i really don't want to be plugging this thing in every 5 mins... For this reason i wont' buy on day one; i'll hang on a bit and read some reviews... Luckily (well, for me anyway), the UK won't get it for a month after the US which means i'll have plenty of time to read some reviews first.

I feel the same way. Logically I know that I use my iPhone for all the things the iPad would provide, but still am getting this intense desire to buy the iPad just to satisfy the geek gene.

[Elzlaik]

My guess is that the 10 hour figure has a lot more to do with reading a book then it does with network access.

I don't think so. I believe they mean to imply you can get 10 hours of continuous Safari out of this. Jobs himself said you can get 10 hours of continuous video. And in the backstage Walt Mossberg Interview, Jobs said the iPad does 140+ hours of music playback. That is nearly 6 times longer music playback than the iPhone's 24hrs. Doesn't it stand to reason that the web browsing battery life would also be significantly increased? Not by a factor of 6 but maybe by 2 or 3.

[gt1948]

he is the man of "no".

no multi-tasking
no flash
no bikinis

and u expected a "yes" on tethering?

Hmmm, facts are not entirely correct, are you a Republican by chance? ;);)

Multitasking on Apple Apps
Playboy is still available

Flash? Flash is a dinosaur, bring on HTML5

[mccldwll]

I wrote Steve a lengthy email about an hour ago calling him out on a lot of stuff Apple is taking heat for at the moment, and he replied about an hour later with this:

"The tethering issue is up to the carriers, not us.

Sent from my iPhone"


Wake up kids. SJ is not responding to these "Dear Steve" emails (and certainly not at 3:00 a.m). When appropriate, some may, may eventually come to the attention of higher ups, but ceratinly not stuff like "tethering" which could be found on a FAQ page. Do you still write Santa, or just email him your Christmas lists?

[paulyras]

It's not that big of a deal. Pay the $15.

Steve

Sent from my iPad

[mccldwll]

And actually, I wouldn't bet the ranch that some form of iPhone/iPad "tethering" won't be available. The opportunity to sell an iPad to every iPhone owner seems too irresistible to pass up (not to mention the bump in iPhone sales to iPad buyers). Should have more info by the 12th when orders are taken.

[gehrbox]

Wake up kids. SJ is not responding to these "Dear Steve" emails (and certainly not at 3:00 a.m). When appropriate, some may, may eventually come to the attention of higher ups, but ceratinly not stuff like "tethering" which could be found on a FAQ page. Do you still write Santa, or just email him your Christmas lists?

Don't know if it was Santa that answered, but I bought a new iMac last year with a really bad stuck pixel issue. I emailed Steve about my experience AFTER I got a good replacement. One of his minions emailed me back asking for my phone number so we could discuss the issue. He called and after about 20 minutes sent me the free MobileMe subscription I had asked for :)

[rdlink]

...Surely a better solution is to just switch SIM card between devices, clone your sim card, or arrange some sort of duo-plan with your network provider, like a family plan, but for a family of devices. :p

Huh? The question was specifically about the Wi-Fi model. Why on earth would one want to use a 3G device to tether another 3G device? Also, please keep in mind that the two devices use SIM cards that are a different form factor. For now...

[mccldwll]

Don't know if it was Santa that answered, but I bought a new iMac last year with a really bad stuck pixel issue. I emailed Steve about my experience AFTER I got a good replacement. One of his minions emailed me back asking for my phone number so we could discuss the issue. He called and after about 20 minutes sent me the free MobileMe subscription I had asked for :)

Yep. Santa, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny have lots of helpers. And so does SJ.

[gehrbox]

I don't think so. I believe they mean to imply you can get 10 hours of continuous Safari out of this. Jobs himself said you can get 10 hours of continuous video. And in the backstage Walt Mossberg Interview, Jobs said the iPad does 140+ hours of music playback. That is nearly 6 times longer music playback than the iPhone's 24hrs. Doesn't it stand to reason that the web browsing battery life would also be significantly increased? Not by a factor of 6 but maybe by 2 or 3.

I don't doubt that web browsing battery life will be improved over an iPhone, just that the 10 hour estimate was not likely based on 10 hours of active internet access. From Walts interview with Steve, when Walt mentioned a comparison to e-ink on the Kindle Steve said 'You just end up plugging it in' '10 hours is a long time, your not going to read for 10 hours'. This would indicate little more then 10 hours of just reading is going require docking to charge.

[mccldwll]

Huh? The question was specifically about the Wi-Fi model. Why on earth would one want to use a 3G device to tether another 3G device? Also, please keep in mind that they two devices use SIM cards that are a different form factor. For now...


Not so much "tethering", but a T plan which would add the iPad to the iPhone plan for a nominal fee, possibly with data restrictions. They would be tethered in the sense that only one could be used at any given time and require each other's physical proximity. The question/answer is what arrangement provides the maximum overall financial benefit to T.

[rdlink]

Not so much "tethering", but a T plan which would add the iPad to the iPhone plan for a nominal fee, possibly with data restrictions. They would be tethered in the sense that only one could be used at any given time and require each other's physical proximity. The question/answer is what arrangement provides the maximum overall financial benefit to T.

I understand the concept. I've set up similar situations on my own plans. But the post I was answering was implying that the original question was about the 3G model of the iPad, when it wasn't, and that there was somehow a solution around tethering one 3G device to another...

[arletha]

I'm glad so many are still falsely afraid of jailbreaking, an the knowledge of why it's a huge benefit is so limited. More for me to enjoy without the clueless public screwing it up somehow. http://privateniche.info/image/34/b/happy.gif

LOL, I'm warming up to jailbreaking a few things, as I have seen real benefit in homebrews.

[lazyrighteye]

Maybe he is, but he is one of the few CEO's on the planet answering emails at all.

And not just because he is one of the few CEOs actually receiving emails. ;)
Seriously, a show of hands who can name, say, Target's CEO without googling (binging?)? Even if one could, would you email him/her? #justsaying

[*LTD*]

Why would you need to tether the iPad when there's a 3G model? :confused:

If there's a 3G option, why would you need to tether? Who the hell is gonna do that?

You want 3G, get the 3G version. That's why it's there.

Besides, thethering is a carrier issue.

[sushi]

I think that it's refreshing to get an upfront clear answer from a CEO.

Many times that's not the case.

[jmmo20]

Why would you need to tether the iPad when there's a 3G model? :confused:

If there's a 3G option, why would you need to tether? Who the hell is gonna do that?

You want 3G, get the 3G version. That's why it's there.

Besides, thethering is a carrier issue.



Because I already pay for a 3G subscription for my iphone, and my provider allows me to tether for free to any device I want?

Why would I need to buy a more expensive ipad plus another internet subscription when I could do the same with the iphone I already own and use?

If you're going to use the ipad everyday outside your home and need intensive 3g usage, fair enough, get the 3g and pay for a 3g service. But for sporadic use? Come on...

[MMX]

Why would you need to tether the iPad when there's a 3G model? :confused:

If there's a 3G option, why would you need to tether? Who the hell is gonna do that?

You want 3G, get the 3G version. That's why it's there.

Besides, thethering is a carrier issue.

You need help.

[*LTD*]

Because I already pay for a 3G subscription for my iphone, and my provider allows me to tether for free to any device I want?

Why would I need to buy a more expensive ipad plus another internet subscription when I could do the same with the iphone I already own and use?

If you're going to use the ipad everyday outside your home and need intensive 3g usage, fair enough, get the 3g and pay for a 3g service. But for sporadic use? Come on...

If you think your carrier will allow tethering on a wifi handheld device for which there is already a 3G model, you've got another thing coming.

[Mcgargle]

i am starting to get sick of all these restrictions.

If i can see one thing which will be apple downfall, its control.

Right now apples products are hot and amazing, but the future can change and you going the right way to anger your customers with ridicules rules.

I still don't understand this at all. It seems like every thread here has somebody spewing nonsense about "control." A guy sent Jobs an email asking if a particular feature was present in the device; Jobs said no. It's a long leap from "The feature you asked for is not implemented" to "Apple wants to control your life."

Apple makes products, for crying out loud. Sometimes those products are released without features people want (like apps on the iPhone) because Apple hasn't finished implementing those features yet. Other times, the feature in question is so low down on the priority list that it never gets implemented at all.

It's not about control. It's about the fact that time and effort are limited, and Apple chooses which things to work on for business reasons. If you want feature X and can get it in another product, buy the other product! It's really not that big a deal.

[MMX]

I still don't understand this at all. It seems like every thread here has somebody spewing nonsense about "control." A guy sent Jobs an email asking if a particular feature was present in the device; Jobs said no. It's a long leap from "The feature you asked for is not implemented" to "Apple wants to control your life."

Apple makes products, for crying out loud. Sometimes those products are released without features people want (like apps on the iPhone) because Apple hasn't finished implementing those features yet. Other times, the feature in question is so low down on the priority list that it never gets implemented at all.

It's not about control. It's about the fact that time and effort are limited, and Apple chooses which things to work on for business reasons. If you want feature X and can get it in another product, buy the other product! It's really not that big a deal.

How is this related to tethering?

[*LTD*]

You need help.

Rub a few brain cells together and *think* about why carriers would have a problem with allowing tethering on a handheld wifi device for which a 3G model already exists. So put this notion of tethering out of your mind. It's a pipe dream.

[mccldwll]

Why would you need to tether the iPad when there's a 3G model? :confused:

If there's a 3G option, why would you need to tether? Who the hell is gonna do that?

You want 3G, get the 3G version. That's why it's there.

Besides, thethering is a carrier issue.


If you could "tether" the 3G version to your iPhone/iPhone plan for free or reduced cost, that would be attractive. As far as why it's there, I'd say it's largely there for people presently serviced by other carriers--they can have a mobile iPad without switching carriers.

[*LTD*]

If you could "tether" the 3G version to your iPhone/iPhone plan for free or reduced cost, that would be attractive.

There will likely be ways that carriers will allow you to "work in" the iPad to your current plan, but not by piggybacking off your current plan and sucking data via tethering. It's a nice (clever) thing to do, but as far as the carrier is concerned, it's "cheating." You're trying to have it both ways.

[MMX]

Rub a few brain cells together and *think* about why carriers would have a problem with allowing tethering on a handheld wifi device for which a 3G model already exists. So put this notion of tethering out of your mind. It's a pipe dream.

A lot of carriers offer pre-paid plans and option to buy iPhone without contract, so how I use my data plan is my own business and carriers nor Apple have no way to dertermine how much devices I use. I'm not going to by data plan for every 3G capable device if I can tether wifi model. I'm currently using iPhone as my way into internet on my iMac. And by the end of the day it's up to consumer and carriers. What Apple is doing in the middle? So maybe you should rub a few brain cells together and start seeking medical attention, because to a normal person you sound like a mad man.

And welcome to ignore list, troll.

[tlinford]

I have been tethering my Mac laptops, ever since they put in bluetooth (even when it was still iBook and 2G). It's not exactly a new idea! I currently use a small Sony W595, as a 3G portal with my MacBook pro when out of range of my normal WiFi haunts and this works great... my phone Data provider are happy - I would never have bought a Data contract if I could't tether!

I think both for iPhone and IPad, Apples partnerships with with 3G providers necessitate a lockdown! but oh boy, what a pile of *****! Not to be able to tether an iPad! the problem will be that people will find their own way around it.... how much better to just allow people to do what they want!

[mccldwll]

Rub a few brain cells together and *think* about why carriers would have a problem with allowing tethering on a handheld wifi device for which a 3G model already exists. So put this notion of tethering out of your mind. It's a pipe dream.


So. Any reason why T wouldn't allow tethering the iPad to the iPhone for same $ rate/terms as 3G model? How about 50% or 70% discount since only one could be used at a time? How about for free if also subject iPhone to data limitations (transition to "pay for use" system)? It could be an incentive for iPad buyers to switch to or remain with T. The bottom line is that if T crunches the numbers and it looks good, they easily could do it. And it takes care of the "we will allow tethering later this year" complaints.

[*LTD*]

A lot of carriers offer pre-paid plans and option to buy iPhone without contract, so how I use my data plan is my own business and carriers nor Apple have a way to dertermine how much devices I use. I'm not going to by data plan for every 3G capable device if I can tether wifi model. I'm currently using iPhone as my way into internet on my iMac. And by the end of the day it's up to consumer and carriers. What Apple is doing in the middle? So maybe you should rub a few brain cells together and start seeking medical attention, because to a normal person you sound like a mad man.

You just answered your own question.

What Apple is doing in the middle?

Selling the iPad and beholden to carriers.

This is 2010, the age of exploding data use. A lot of US carriers are ill-prepared for it, or fear what's coming down the road. If European carriers are prepared, that's great. In any case, given US carriers' current difficulties with managing data usage, it's certainly up to them how you use your data plan. Hopefully where you are it's all sweetness and light.

Just being a realist here.

[Saladinos]

Doesn't surprise me. Allowing tethering would cannibalize the 3G version.

So? The 3G version is different in that one feature only. It would be useful to all those people who already have an iPhone and would rather use that subscription rather than pay another £X/month for another 3G data plan on their unlocked, unsubsidised device.

If it's not there explicitly (rather than because Apple didn't think of it or implement it yet), then it seems like a carrier concession more than anything.

[*LTD*]

So. Any reason why T wouldn't allow tethering the iPad to the iPhone for same $ rate/terms as 3G model? How about 50% or 70% discount since only one could be used at a time? How about for free if also subject iPhone to data limitations (transition to "pay for use" system)? It could be an incentive for iPad buyers to switch to or remain with T. The bottom line is that if T crunches the numbers and it looks good, they easily could do it. And it takes care of the "we will allow tethering later this year" complaints.

Don't make deals with me, make them with your carrier. Tethering is already a touchy issue with them in the first place.

[lethalOne]

The only ports on iPad suitable for this are the WiFi and Blutooth ports. Apple has never support Blutooth networking so that leaves the WiFi port. What you would need to do is to jailbreak your cell phone.

Oddly when I legally tether my iPhone, in Canada, I most often use BlueTooth networking.

Since I know Apple supports Bluetooth networking your argument is deeply flawed.

Plus I have a rare legal copy of NetShare on my iPhone - so I can also connect to my phone's WiFi network and suff that way.

[mccldwll]

Don't make deals with me, make them with your carrier. Tethering is already a touchy issue with them in the first place.


I'm not talking about any deal with you or carrier. I'm an investor and that's my perspective. Think about it. $15/30 month for data is an incredible deal. T's not making much $ there compared to the smartphone plans. Aapl drove that deal. Part of the story is missing. Allowing some form of tethering helps T on the iPhone plan side of the equation. T wouldn't do it for the consumer. It would do it for its bottom line.

[iTattoo]

If you think your carrier will allow tethering on a wifi handheld device for which there is already a 3G model, you've got another thing coming.

Why should a carrier care what form factor I'm using to surf the net. I can legally tether my laptop ... why not an iPad? WTF difference does it make the carrier?

[gibbz]

My guess is that the 10 hour figure has a lot more to do with reading a book then it does with network access.

I don't doubt that web browsing battery life will be improved over an iPhone, just that the 10 hour estimate was not likely based on 10 hours of active internet access. From Walts interview with Steve, when Walt mentioned a comparison to e-ink on the Kindle Steve said 'You just end up plugging it in' '10 hours is a long time, your not going to read for 10 hours'. This would indicate little more then 10 hours of just reading is going require docking to charge.

Actually, here it is straight from the horse's mouth (http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/).

Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video, or listening to music.

Testing conducted by Apple in January 2010 using preproduction iPad units and software. Testing consisted of full battery discharge while performing each of the following tasks: video playback, audio playback, and Internet browsing using Wi-Fi. Video content was a repeated 2-hour 23-minute movie purchased from the iTunes Store. Audio content was a playlist of 358 unique songs, consisting of a combination of songs imported from CDs using iTunes (128-Kbps AAC encoding) and songs purchased from the iTunes Store (256-Kbps AAC encoding). Internet over Wi-Fi tests were conducted using a closed network and dedicated web and mail servers, browsing snapshot versions of 20 popular web pages, and receiving mail once an hour. All settings were default except: Wi-Fi was associated with a network; the Wi-Fi feature Ask to Join Networks and Auto-Brightness were turned off. Battery life depends on device settings, usage, and many other factors. Battery tests are conducted using specific iPad units; actual results may vary.


I read somewhere they can "blacklist" apps which will essentially forcibly remove it from your iPhone... It's there to stop viruses... I wouldn't be surprised if they do that when the iPad comes out, or find a way to stop the program from working with the iPad...

After the backlash Amazon felt for removing certain books from Kindles, I highly doubt Apple would do the same.

[akadmon]

master-ceo says no to the ifad and yes to a "real" computer. -Jumps out the windows on this one (fuSJ)

Is that you Steve (the "Other" Steve, the fat and sweaty one)? The slight tinge of bitterness at the end kinda gave you away.

[zipa]

If you think your carrier will allow tethering on a wifi handheld device for which there is already a 3G model, you've got another thing coming.

If you think that my carrier can somehow limit or even know how I'm using my phone and my subscription, you are wrong.

[zipa]

If you could "tether" the 3G version to your iPhone/iPhone plan for free or reduced cost, that would be attractive.

Don't know about the iPhone, but I sure as hell can "tether" it to my Nokia over WiFi for absolutely no additional cost. And so can you, obviously. Just get Joikuspot or something similar, I'm pretty sure that there's something like that for the iPhone as well.

[2002cbr600f4i]

Ok,

1) Why WOULDN'T it work if the iPhone's tethering is by acting as a Wifi hotspot? As far as the pad knows it's just a Wifi signal... Of course, that means we gotta wait on AT&T to get their heads out of their BUTTS and start ALLOWING tethering! "Support in October"... I guess they meant Oct 2010??? Or does the iPhone tethering happen via Bluetooth?

2) Realize that if you buy the Wifi only model, you don't get GPS either... Full GPS is only on the 3G models, so if you want/need GPS capability, you better plan to pony up for the 3G. (See the Spec sheet on apple's site if you don't believe me.)

3) If you REALLY want to go Wifi only, and/or not be tied to AT&T - just get a Verizon MiFi and carry that around and have the pad connect through it.

Currently I'm using a Macbook with a Sierra Wireless AT&T 3G dongle, and my iPhone. I was HOPING I could carry the Macbook less and just get the iPad, and was HOPEFUL I wouldn't need the 3G model (the 3G signal in my office building is HORRIBLE! and management doesn't want to spring the $100/mo the building wants for us to put a repeater antenna on the roof). So I'm probably going to go the MiFi route and ditch my AT&T 3G Dongle when the contract expires in July. (Verizon coverage is MUCH better in my office building.)

[MMX]

Don't know about the iPhone, but I sure as hell can "tether" it to my Nokia over WiFi for absolutely no additional cost. And so can you, obviously. Just get Joikuspot or something similar, I'm pretty sure that there's something like that for the iPhone as well.

Found NetShare using google. Nice app.

[jmmo20]

If you think your carrier will allow tethering on a wifi handheld device for which there is already a 3G model, you've got another thing coming.

Yes, Movistar Spain allows tethering to any device/computer you can come up with, for free, and without data caps/limits.
I know this is not the situation in the US (and not sure about Canada where you seem to be), but that shouldn't cause problems to me, in Europe.

[Amnak]

The thing is other than on a car trip were Im not the driver I don't see a place that when i take my iPad there isn't wifi. Book stores , coffee shops, other houses , heck even McDonalds has FREE wifi.

[mac jones]

If he's really answering these (which i'm pretty sure he is because no one else but him would be so blunt) it rather amusing.

For a total ego maniac I think it's sweat. :)

[*LTD*]

Yes, Movistar Spain allows tethering to any device/computer you can come up with, for free, and without data caps/limits.

LOL, North Americans can only wish . . .


Let's throw it back to Apple, if that makes some of you happy. If Apple has a (more expensive) 3G model, why allow tethering on the less-expensive wifi model? It's not evil, it's business. I wish it were different, as a consumer, but Apple *knows* the iPad will be huge and that demand will be high. I'd do the same thing in Apple's unibody shoes.

[mccldwll]

If he's really answering these (which i'm pretty sure he is because no one else but him would be so blunt) it rather amusing.



Wanna buy a bridge?

[eastcoastsurfer]

LOL, North Americans can only wish . . .


Let's throw it back to Apple, if that makes some of you happy. If Apple has a (more expensive) 3G model, why allow tethering on the less-expensive wifi model? It's not evil, it's business. I wish it were different, as a consumer, but Apple *knows* the iPad will be huge and that demand will be high. I'd do the same thing in Apple's unibody shoes.

It's less about paying for the 3G model and more about paying for internet access AGAIN. I think most people already have some connection to their home and then some mobile connection. The iPad will add a 3rd connection fee, and for many that's a second connection fee to the same company (AT&T). At some point consumers are going to balk at paying so much money just to stay connected.

I've already seen a lot of talk of people dumping their iPhone and getting a pre-pay phone + iPad instead. Over the course of the typical iPhone contract the consumer can end up saving quite a bit money by going this route.

[mccldwll]

If Apple has a (more expensive) 3G model, why allow tethering on the less-expensive wifi model? It's not evil, it's business. I wish it were different, as a consumer, but Apple *knows* the iPad will be huge and that demand will be high. I'd do the same thing in Apple's unibody shoes.


I originally thought that some form of tethering/plan sharing would be available for the 3G only since aapl wouldn't want to leave $130 on the table. I now think it's very likely that it will be available for the wifi model as a benny/sweetner for iPhone ownership (a shared app). Everyone other than iPhone owners will have to pay $130 more. That real and perceived "deal" will drive iPad demand through the roof. Every iPhone owner will want an iPad. And 3G will be available for those without iPhones, or those who want the convenience of a separate 3G device. I'm not saying this will happen. I'm saying it's very likely to happen, and certainly not pie in the sky.

[*LTD*]

I've already seen a lot of talk of people dumping their iPhone and getting a pre-pay phone + iPad instead. Over the course of the typical iPhone contract the consumer can end up saving quite a bit money by going this route.

I think you might be on to something here . . .

[kas23]

I'm not surprised by this response. Someone should email him asking him to list exactly why the iPad is "magical".

Anyways, due to all these restrictions, IF I buy an iPad (90% I won't), it will be jailbroken before I have it out of its box.

[mccldwll]

It's less about paying for the 3G model and more about paying for internet access AGAIN. I think most people already have some connection to their home and then some mobile connection. The iPad will add a 3rd connection fee, and for many that's a second connection fee to the same company (AT&T). At some point consumers are going to balk at paying so much money just to stay connected.

I've already seen a lot of talk of people dumping their iPhone and getting a pre-pay phone + iPad instead. Over the course of the typical iPhone contract the consumer can end up saving quite a bit money by going this route.


My bet is that a certain number of people will do this. For a while. They'll then realize it's a PITA to carry around an iPad for 24/7 access (we're now a 24/7 culture) and they'll go back to an iPhone as well.

[joseluis.17]

Are these apps in the AppStore? I thought they were available only through Cydia.

You're rigth those are only available through cydia there's one that I really like that's called MyWi that one I like a lot you just open it and you have a wifi hot spot you can password protect it and it even tells you how much you've used

[twolfe81]

I know tethering hasn't come to the US yet. But we have it in Canada, so for work and pleasure trips I can currently take my laptop with me and, where there is no wifi or paid wifi only, I can just link up to my iPhone and off I go on 3g. And I doubt we can count on the carriers to say "sure, we can register your iPad as a second device on your iPhone data account".

Today we're inundated with devices...PDA, cell phone, smart phone, mp3 player, netbook, laptop, portable dvd player, e-reader, digital camera, camcorder, etc etc, and costs to use each of them (accounts, communications, etc etc). Most people look for convergence devices to lessen the number they carry and the stack of bills they pay but still be able to do most of these things. For example, I was happy to get my iPhone because it gave me casual camera use, business and personal voice connection, MP3, email, e-reader, and internet. Tethered to my netbook, it gives me ereader, internet, hard drive storage, computer, etc on the run when I needed something bigger than my iPhone screen and keyboard. No need to use paid wifi spots. And I'm down to two devices.

Now I'm not a heavy netbook user for business and an iPad may work very well for my business and pleasure travel needs (jury still out till we see it in operation). And while I don't tether to 3g often, at the same time rarely does my travel lead me to an area where wifi is available for free. So do I buy an iPad, pay for the 3g option, and then pay another $30 for a 3g data plan on top of my iPhnone one? Or do I keep on with netbook (which I admit is nowhere near as nice as an iPad) and iPhone and no extra cost on the wallet?

There are people that will need the 3g, no doubt. And people that will be happy with wifi only and keeping their iPad at home. But for a lot of us convergence and flexibility is the way to go. PDAs were all the rage until smartphones showed they could do the same thing and more. PDAs for the most part have disappeared. E-readers face the same risk of falling into irrelevance as convergence devices offer e-reading and more. Will the iPad be a PDA or a PDA killer?

Hopefully Apple will look at this and think about that flexibility and its benefits. Otherwise it might be a long time before some of us get iPads as it falls to "merely" another e-reader/mp3 player/internet browser. I don't need another internet browser at home if it doesn't' compellingly replace what I already use (desktop, laptop, netbook, and/or iphone). I can order a newspaper to be delivered to my doorstep as easy as buying an iPad just to read the news. And it certainly isn't a replacement for my iPhone (too big to hold to head for calls). And I can't carry it on my hip for music while jogging.

So if the iPad isn't compelling enough to replace or fit nicely in between devices, its classified to many as a luxury purchase, not a must. And its going to be these little things, like tethering if you already have a 3g data device, ability to hold and work on files multitasking, etc that will be the decision maker for many with their infinite variety of needs as to where it sits between 'fits in' and 'just another'. The way SJ was talking at his launch promo, they intend this to be a "fit in between" and "replace" type device. So come on Apple, you're all about lifestyle...so how about thinking it through?

[paepcke]

First off this has nothing to do with Apple or Steve so direct you attitude at AT&T. Carriers in other parts of the world support tethering in one form or another. In fact shipping iPhone software supports it right now over USB if the carrier profile allows it.

Hi,
I´m from Germany. My provider does allow tethering. And I use this with my Macbook. All legal. Same as the requestor from Sweden.

But the the statement from Steve was not "no tethering AT&T, but no problem for you in Sweden". His statement was a clear: "NO".

I have no problem when you choose a provider that does not allow tethering - it´s your problem. Choose a different provider or pay for tethering.

If my provider allows tethering (I´m paying for it!) and my device could use tethering. But a stupid software restriction is blocking the usage of this - then I´m pissed!.

Greetings,
Michael

[gehrbox]

Actually, here it is straight from the horse's mouth (http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/).



Thanks. They updated that page since the last time I looked after the product announcement.


Still, the key phrase here is "Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video, or listening to music".

I know Apple engineers are smarter then I am, but I wonder if the iPad caches web pages to save reloading from the server...might cut down on battery usage.

[cmwade77]

+

Me to. I don't like to Jailbreak my iPhone 3GS to tether to the iPad. There should be no need to do this. I dont like to steal software or media content.

But If I get forced to Jailbreak by Apple (Thanks Apple, Thanks Steve!) - maybe I´m so pissed (cause of all the security issues that come with jail breaking anyway) that I have to try all the other advantages of jail breaking.

Jailbreaking does not equal stealing software, no matter what Apple may want you to think. I have a jailbroken phone, I still buy software from the App store AND from Cydia and Rock, they all offer apoplications, Cydia and Rock apps can do a bit more.

As far as security issues, by jailobreaking, I am able to change the root password (one of the key security measures that must be take on any *nix based system).

In addition there are firewall applications available by jailbreaking that prevent other applications (officially available in the App Store) from "phoning home" without your permission. The often include phone number, sometimes finds credit card numbers, etc. Apple doesn't seem inclined to do much to stop these applications, so jailbreaking fixes this as well.

I can seriously make the argument that a jailbroken phone that is properly setup is a lot more secure than a non-jailbroken phone. This is in addition to all of the other benefits.

As previously stated, jailbreak the phone, install MyWi (do not use PDANet, it drains the battery very quickly) and use it to setup a wifi hotspot. Honestly, I have used my phone for surfing the net on my MacBook and using it's built in internet sharing to share the connection to my BluRay player and watching NetFlix on it, while charging the phone and having the battery increase. (The trick is to plug the phone into a wall outlet, not a USB port).

[eastcoastsurfer]

My bet is that a certain number of people will do this. For a while. They'll then realize it's a PITA to carry around an iPad for 24/7 access (we're now a 24/7 culture) and they'll go back to an iPhone as well.

If it's a PITA to carry around an iPad then why get the 3G version in the first place? The next question is why have an iPad at all if you have an iPhone? This is the problem I've been pointing to since the iPad was released. There is too much overlap with the iPhone in functionality while losing the iPhones portability. And since I don't see the iPad replacing anyones laptop it can't fully fill that role either.

In the end I just don't see a lot of people (outside of the Apple fanatic) who will have all three devices - MB/MBP, iPad, iPhone.

[chris200x9]

I work in an Apple Premium reseller, like 99% of users who jailbroken their phones do that for pirating software and they also pirate softwares that are free on AppStore. it is easy to say things like what you wrote in a internet forum... reality is much more different.

yes because working in a store that sells apple products magically gives you insight to everyone's intentions :rolleyes:

[goobot]

First off this has nothing to do with Apple or Steve so direct you attitude at AT&T. Carriers in other parts of the world support tethering in one form or another. In fact shipping iPhone software supports it right now over USB if the carrier profile allows it.

you dont know anything.

att did nothing wrong not to mention the ipad is unlocked so it has nothing to do with att.

next why would apple not want to make an extra 130 bucks and they prob got a deal with att with the data too.

you obviously are just and idiot fanboy that doesnt know who to blame.

ok also the ipod touch has nothing to do with a carrier. why cant you tether to that? you have no facts and dont know what your talking about.

[mccldwll]

If it's a PITA to carry around an iPad then why get the 3G version in the first place? The next question is why have an iPad at all if you have an iPhone? This is the problem I've been pointing to since the iPad was released. There is too much overlap with the iPhone in functionality while losing the iPhones portability. And since I don't see the iPad replacing anyones laptop it can't fully fill that role either.

In the end I just don't see a lot of people (outside of the Apple fanatic) who will have all three devices - MB/MBP, iPad, iPhone.


It's a PITA to carry around something bigger than a phone ALL the time. And "too much" overlap is extremely subjective. Around the house and on the road it can replace a laptop for light lifting. I'm not a fanatic and generally not an early adopter, but I'll be ordering two (one for a family member) next week. I want/need one for vacations where I don't have wifi but do have 3G. I can do it on my iPhone, but want the larger screen.

[bluehaze013]

I would say the ipad is not great for gaming. The only games that will work well are touch based games. The tilt games will be horrible.

Unless you are looking to play chess on a coffee table with the family.

The racing games will be awesome, similiar to holding a steering wheel! Looking forward to Madden as well, the screen is too small on the iphone always hitting the wrong recievers LOL

I guess different stroke for different folks...I personally would prefer to play games on the bigger screen, didn't like alot of them on the iphone even though they were good games, just because my fingers always covered so much of the screen (have big hands) and I couldn't see what was going on.

[bluehaze013]

10 hours of battery life while doing what? My iPhone 3GS will gladly make it through 10 hours of use if I limit it to 2 hours of music, a half dozen or so phone calls and receive/send several emails.

BUT the same phone will lose half its charge in a 45 minute web surfing session on 3G while listening to music (wow multi-tasking on an iPhone!).

My guess is that the 10 hour figure has a lot more to do with reading a book then it does with network access.

Your iPhone has a much smaller battery in it ;) They said iPad is 10 hours of constant use, web surfing with wifi, watching movies, playing games etc...

Laptops last 10-12 hours nowadays no reason the ipad won't. Only reason the phones don't is because they have to use a small battery.

[RazHyena]

Your iPhone has a much smaller battery in it ;) They said iPad is 10 hours of constant use, web surfing with wifi, watching movies, playing games etc...

Laptops last 10-12 hours nowadays no reason the ipad won't. Only reason the phones don't is because they have to use a small battery.

Small battery doesn't mean much, it's how efficient the phone itself is at using the power resorces. Frankly, the iPhone is a juice guzzler. But at least it fits in your pocket...

As for Steve's claim of a 10 hour battery life, this will be the first thing that's going to be put to the test. Honestly, I don't believe it...but we'll see.

[gnasher729]

Sooo much for that idea even though many of us already had a feeling you wouldn't be able to tether, although I can't see how you wouldn't be able to tether if you can make your phone into a wi-fi hotspot?

Somehow I think that people you can setup their phone to turn it into a wi-fi hotspot are not quite the group of people that are targetted as iPad customers :rolleyes:

[marksman]

People are reading way too much into this.

At some point in the future AT&T is going to allow the iPhone to be used as a mifi device, and it will not tether with the iPad but it will still allow the ipad to use its connection.

[dave1812dave]

Somehow I think that people you can setup their phone to turn it into a wi-fi hotspot are not quite the group of people that are targetted as iPad customers :rolleyes:

hmmm... so according to you, ipad customers will be dumb, and phone-tethering individuals are mensa candidates??

[gehrbox]

Your iPhone has a much smaller battery in it ;) They said iPad is 10 hours of constant use, web surfing with wifi, watching movies, playing games etc...

Laptops last 10-12 hours nowadays no reason the ipad won't. Only reason the phones don't is because they have to use a small battery.

I have an MSI U100 netbook with the largest battery available and it would at best get around 6 hours. My Dell laptop more like 3. Apples latest MB Pro's are maxed at 8 hours. What laptops are you seeing that get 10-12hours of continuous web surfing with the EOM battery?

[dave1812dave]

. Apples latest MB Pro's are maxed at 8 hours. What laptops are you seeing that get 10-12hours of continuous web surfing with the EOM battery?

"OEM" perhaps? :) I've seen some laptops with extended battery times. heck, my lowly Acer netbook will go 8 hours without breaking a sweat.

[Detlev_73]

Geez, why are people do darned CHEAP?!

Just buy the Wifi+3G version and the measly $30/month unlimited data plan. People in this country complain about the US supposedly going down the socialist path, and yet want free EVERYTHING.

So annoying. :mad:

[Ipimpjuice]

Stupid question. Clearly the asker has never heard of MyWi

[hiimamac]

Sooo much for that idea even though many of us already had a feeling you wouldn't be able to tether, although I can't see how you wouldn't be able to tether if you can make your phone into a wi-fi hotspot?

http://www.9to5mac.com/jobs-swedish-iphone-43609634

Good question. Does anyone know how much more battery life you get with those new iPhone battery adapters?

I see this as a huge jail breaking plan for the iPhone. I did it to try Google Voice and Tom Tom but soon discovered there were a lot of really cool things out there with one of them being teethering. Comes in handy when the inter net goes down, plus they have a 3G tricker program to trick any program to be seen as wifi. In my opinion, cable is very fast, we get from 1.6-3.0 MB per second. Still , I dont see tethering as being that harmful. First the ipad run the iPhone is so you won't be downloading torrents, in fact I see the usageas being the same as an iPhone. Mail, surfing etc and saving a few bucks until they roll out faster net speeds, (rumored to be between 30-60MB per sec as well as 4G and n chip in the iPhone.

Still I see the jb/ comunnity jumping all over the ipad which exsists togive users what Jobs doesn't want you to have, for example, downloading the latest TV episode vs paying for it on iTunes. I really see the hacking commuity as doing very well.And a boatload of new and exiting apps coming.

[Stella]

Why would you need to tether the iPad when there's a 3G model? :confused:

If there's a 3G option, why would you need to tether? Who the hell is gonna do that?

You want 3G, get the 3G version. That's why it's there.

Besides, thethering is a carrier issue.

Geez, why are people do darned CHEAP?!

Just buy the Wifi+3G version and the measly $30/month unlimited data plan. People in this country complain about the US supposedly going down the socialist path, and yet want free EVERYTHING.

So annoying. :mad:

My data plan allows for tethering, with no device restrictions.

Therefore, why should I , or anyone, with similar data plan be prevented from tethering specific devices, in this case, the iPad? After all, its only data usage for which has already been paid for and nothing else.

Anyway, I very much doubt Apple could prevent tethering with non iPhone cell phones - the iPad won't know the difference between a tethered WIFI point and regular.

[bluehaze013]

I have an MSI U100 netbook with the largest battery available and it would at best get around 6 hours. My Dell laptop more like 3. Apples latest MB Pro's are maxed at 8 hours. What laptops are you seeing that get 10-12hours of continuous web surfing with the EOM battery?

"The energy-efficient, slim, and stylish ASUS UL30Vt-X1 notebook redefines ultraportable notebooks with new power boosting features. Free yourself from power cords and start exploring with up to an amazing 11 hours of all-day battery life"

Theres a bunch of them out there just gotta look for ULV processors, that was first one popped into my head because I am thinking about getting the refresh of it with i7 processor sometime this month. By comparison the ipad essentially runs off of a phone processor so will get significantly more battery life than even these albeit the battery in the ipad will be smaller.

[eastcoastsurfer]

It's a PITA to carry around something bigger than a phone ALL the time. And "too much" overlap is extremely subjective.

I'm not sure that the overlap is subjective. The iPad runs an almost identical OS to the iPhone/Touch. Other than a larger screen what will the iPad provide above and beyond the iPhone? I would argue the iPad is actually limiting compared to an iPhone because if you carry an iPad you still need a phone.

Geez, why are people do darned CHEAP?!

Just buy the Wifi+3G version and the measly $30/month unlimited data plan. People in this country complain about the US supposedly going down the socialist path, and yet want free EVERYTHING.

So annoying. :mad:

This logic is bothersome. If $30/month is so measly why not start sending me $30/month? Heck, send everyone you know $30/month. See why it matters now? At the end of the day wealthy people don't waste money, even if it's only a $1. If I'm already giving AT&T $30/month for portable internet, most would consider it a waste to give them another $30/month for portable internet that is simply on another device.

[CyberBob859]

I have an MSI U100 netbook with the largest battery available and it would at best get around 6 hours. My Dell laptop more like 3. Apples latest MB Pro's are maxed at 8 hours. What laptops are you seeing that get 10-12hours of continuous web surfing with the EOM battery?

Nokia Booklet 3G (http://www.nokia.com/press/press-releases/showpressrelease?newsid=1336683)

[mccldwll]

I'm not sure that the overlap is subjective. The iPad runs an almost identical OS to the iPhone/Touch. Other than a larger screen what will the iPad provide above and beyond the iPhone?


Sometimes size matters.

[GoodWatch]

Jobs is awesome. No one else in the world at his level has the balls to just answer an email like that.

How do you know this? Have you read the e-mails sent by my CEO for example? :confused: Or by Shell's CEO? Or by Unilever's CEO?

[/dev/toaster]

Of course its not going to support tethering, no way in hell will AT&T allow that yet. They still don't allow tethering to a laptop and who knows how long its gonna take before they get around to offering that service.

I still call BS on the 10 hour battery. I don't care what he says, all companies inflate their battery estimates using ideal conditions. Sure, maybe its 10 hours looking at the home screen or a blank Safari page. The best we can hope for is maybe 5 hours or so for casual browsing. For playing games cut that number in half.

Don't believe me ? Ever get 9 hours of web browsing on Wifi with an iPhone 3Gs ? Of course not, but thats what the battery life suggests. http://www.apple.com/iphone/specs.html

[Stella]

Of course its not going to support tethering, no way in hell will AT&T allow that yet. They still don't allow tethering to a laptop and who knows how long its gonna take before they get around to offering that service.

But there are more cell phone providers in the world than just AT&T. Others may not careless about what devices are tethered, as long as the consumer pays for the data plan.

[rgarjr]

Sometimes size matters.

That's what she said.

[bluehaze013]

Of course its not going to support tethering, no way in hell will AT&T allow that yet. They still don't allow tethering to a laptop and who knows how long its gonna take before they get around to offering that service.

I still call BS on the 10 hour battery. I don't care what he says, all companies inflate their battery estimates using ideal conditions. Sure, maybe its 10 hours looking at the home screen or a blank Safari page. The best we can hope for is maybe 5 hours or so for casual browsing. For playing games cut that number in half.

Don't believe me ? Ever get 9 hours of web browsing on Wifi with an iPhone 3Gs ? Of course not, but thats what the battery life suggests. http://www.apple.com/iphone/specs.html

I fully expect it to last 10 hours of web surfing and playing games. Actually I will be happy with 8 hours, any less than that and I will be returning mine straight away. By comparison to the phone the ipad has a month of standby time so 10 hours of solid use seems conservative if anything.

But it's stupid to argue about this as no one can truly answer the question until we have them in our hands. For now all we have to go by is what was said at the press conference which is 10 hours of continuous use web surfing, games, movies etc...

[ninethirty]

Not sure why you need to be so rude about it - either way, I disagree. This isn't the first time I've heard from him.

I wrote to sjobs@apple.com in 2006 because of a non stop, recurring problem with a macbook pro I ordered. It was DOA, and Apple replaced it. The replacement was broken, and so was the replacement for the replacement. I wrote to Steve, explained how I was a loyal longtime customer and described how the experience I had was less than optimal. I then contrasted that to my job, and how if I failed to deliver exceptional experiences, I'd be let go - why shouldn't I let Apple go? He responded immediately, said it was being taken care of, and the next day I received a call from his assistant who sent me a brand new Macbook Pro without having to return the other one, and I was offered any iPod I wanted as well for free. When I got home later that night, I had an email from Daniel Marusich (one of the lead creatives at Apple) saying he was asked by "Mr. Jobs" to contact me and find out if I might be interested in a job. I spoke to him on the phone a week later, ran through my portfolio and experience and ultimately turned the job down for personal reasons.

I'm sure it's not out of the realm of possibility that there may be people that aren't Steve Jobs replying to emails but given that the majority of emails sent to that account are not replied to, I'd say it lends to the credibility. He's known to be a man of few words, and why wouldn't he be awake at 3am? His personality sure fits the bill.

Regardless, don't be such an ass. It's not going to get you anywhere.



Wake up kids. SJ is not responding to these "Dear Steve" emails (and certainly not at 3:00 a.m). When appropriate, some may, may eventually come to the attention of higher ups, but ceratinly not stuff like "tethering" which could be found on a FAQ page. Do you still write Santa, or just email him your Christmas lists?

[3goldens]

I don't believe its Jobs either.

Like any other personality or corporation for that matter they have people, many people monitoring their correspondence and respond accordingly.

The thought that Steve Jobs is walking around in Seattle or wherever with his iphone and or ipad and responding to these questions is beyond absurd it's just totally ridicules!

[jmmo20]

Geez, why are people do darned CHEAP?!

Just buy the Wifi+3G version and the measly $30/month unlimited data plan. People in this country complain about the US supposedly going down the socialist path, and yet want free EVERYTHING.

So annoying. :mad:



wtf ?

would you like to pay for each network you connect to your home internet connection? Like say you have 5 computers so you have to pay 5 internet tariffs?

who the hell said free everything?
did you get your iphone for free?
do you have your 3g connection in your iphone for free?
will you get your ipad for free?

What on earth does tethering from iphone->ipad (which many operators in the world allow without paying extra besides your 3g connection) have to do with SOCIALISM ?

[jmmo20]

I had a similar experience.

I bought a white macbook the day it was announced and had so many problems with it that one day I contacted Steve Jobs.

Since I'm in Spain, he didn't reply but rather forwarded it to the guy in charge of the Euro division at Apple, who first emailed me than called me directly several times. First he tried to get it repaired properly at a apple reseller. Since I had further problems there, he said he would replace the macbook. What I didn't know was that a 15" macbook pro with top specs was waiting for me.

That was almost 2.5 years ago an the macbook pro still works wonderfully.

I couldn't be happier.


Not sure why you need to be so rude about it - either way, I disagree. This isn't the first time I've heard from him.

I wrote to sjobs@apple.com in 2006 because of a non stop, recurring problem with a macbook pro I ordered. It was DOA, and Apple replaced it. The replacement was broken, and so was the replacement for the replacement. I wrote to Steve, explained how I was a loyal longtime customer and described how the experience I had was less than optimal. I then contrasted that to my job, and how if I failed to deliver exceptional experiences, I'd be let go - why shouldn't I let Apple go? He responded immediately, said it was being taken care of, and the next day I received a call from his assistant who sent me a brand new Macbook Pro without having to return the other one, and I was offered any iPod I wanted as well for free. When I got home later that night, I had an email from Daniel Marusich (one of the lead creatives at Apple) saying he was asked by "Mr. Jobs" to contact me and find out if I might be interested in a job. I spoke to him on the phone a week later, ran through my portfolio and experience and ultimately turned the job down for personal reasons.

I'm sure it's not out of the realm of possibility that there may be people that aren't Steve Jobs replying to emails but given that the majority of emails sent to that account are not replied to, I'd say it lends to the credibility. He's known to be a man of few words, and why wouldn't he be awake at 3am? His personality sure fits the bill.

Regardless, don't be such an ass. It's not going to get you anywhere.

[Lara F]

I have no problem when you choose a provider that does not allow tethering - it's your problem. Choose a different provider or pay for tethering.


With all the complaining about AT&T you must be aware that's not an option in the US on either account...

[nlensander]

I emailed Steve Jobs, and got a respsonse, I asked
"Hey Steve,

I have been reading about the iPad for quite some time, and I have noticed that when you open iWork, your documents are there,
But is it possible to attach documents from iWork to an email in the Mail app? And when you plug your iPad into the computer where do the documents show up, will there be a new documents tab in iTunes?"

He Replied,
"Yes and Yes
Sent from my iPhone"

Maybe a sign of things to come? :)

[goobot]

I emailed Steve Jobs, and got a respsonse, I asked
"Hey Steve,

I have been reading about the iPad for quite some time, and I have noticed that when you open iWork, your documents are there,
But is it possible to attach documents from iWork to an email in the Mail app? And when you plug your iPad into the computer where do the documents show up, will there be a new documents tab in iTunes?"

He Replied,
"Yes and Yes
Sent from my iPhone"

Maybe a sign of things to come? :)


pic or it didnt happen

[Detlev_73]

I'm not sure that the overlap is subjective. The iPad runs an almost identical OS to the iPhone/Touch. Other than a larger screen what will the iPad provide above and beyond the iPhone? I would argue the iPad is actually limiting compared to an iPhone because if you carry an iPad you still need a phone.



This logic is bothersome. If $30/month is so measly why not start sending me $30/month? Heck, send everyone you know $30/month. See why it matters now? At the end of the day wealthy people don't waste money, even if it's only a $1. If I'm already giving AT&T $30/month for portable internet, most would consider it a waste to give them another $30/month for portable internet that is simply on another device.

FAIL. This logic is bothersome to you, because you are thinking in socialist terms ;). You pay your local phone company for EACH line of service you have, i.e. each telephone number; Golden Corral doesn't let your entire family eat for the price of one adult, just because you say "It's all you can eat; this is my family with me, and since they're my family, I'm only going to pay for one person and share with them for the price of one; you pay for each Sirius/XM receiver: you don't 'share' one device's subscription to the Sirius/XM network among all Sirius/XM receivers in your car, home, etc; the list goes on and on. If you are 'wealthy', there is no such thing as 'wasting' money; you are glad to pay $200+ for a bottle of Dom Perignon, $5,000 for a first class roundtrip ticket on an airline to go from point A to point B. Use logic and think your posts through next time before rattling off emotional, gut responses. ;)

wtf ?

would you like to pay for each network you connect to your home internet connection? Like say you have 5 computers so you have to pay 5 internet tariffs?

who the hell said free everything?
did you get your iphone for free?
do you have your 3g connection in your iphone for free?
will you get your ipad for free?

What on earth does tethering from iphone->ipad (which many operators in the world allow without paying extra besides your 3g connection) have to do with SOCIALISM ?

You pay your internet provider for home service, for mobile 3G service, for smartphone service: you are not allowed the excuse of saying 'I already pay for internet service at home. I want mobile 3G service for my laptop for free since I already pay for home service.

I don't get anything for free: I pay my hard earned money to pay for goods and services, and I'm not a cheapskate. You get what you pay for. Oh yeah, and the iPhone and the iPad are TWO SEPARATE devices, that's why you pay for each one separately, and not try to mooch off of one to get service for the other.

This is all the connect the dots I'm doing today. Wanting stuff for free without having to pay for it is socialism, and that's just the bottom line.

"Cheapskates of the world, unite!"

[/dev/toaster]

I fully expect it to last 10 hours of web surfing and playing games. Actually I will be happy with 8 hours, any less than that and I will be returning mine straight away. By comparison to the phone the ipad has a month of standby time so 10 hours of solid use seems conservative if anything.

But it's stupid to argue about this as no one can truly answer the question until we have them in our hands. For now all we have to go by is what was said at the press conference which is 10 hours of continuous use web surfing, games, movies etc...

Do you own any Apple laptops or an iPhone / iPod touch ? Do you get the same battery life as their spec pages suggest ? I seriously highly doubt it.

[gehrbox]

"OEM" perhaps? :) I've seen some laptops with extended battery times. heck, my lowly Acer netbook will go 8 hours without breaking a sweat.

Ya, typo. Is that 8hrs powered on or 8 hrs worth of web surfing?

[bwawn]

I used to work at an Apple Store. I told a complaining customer to send his grievances to steve@apple.com since I'd heard through these forums that really tricky problems get resolved that way. I never assumed Steve actually read those e-mails.

A couple days later my manager pulled me in, laughing. Steve had forwarded the customer's e-mail - citing me as the employee who told him to send an e-mail to that address - to Ron Johnson, head of retail, and wrote, "Why was this sent to me?" Ron talked directly to my manager, saying Steve wasn't pleased the e-mail was sent to him and not to another department. So yes, that is really Steve's e-mail address, and that is really Steve responding to the e-mails when they come in.

I had a similar experience.

I bought a white macbook the day it was announced and had so many problems with it that one day I contacted Steve Jobs.

Since I'm in Spain, he didn't reply but rather forwarded it to the guy in charge of the Euro division at Apple, who first emailed me than called me directly several times. First he tried to get it repaired properly at a apple reseller. Since I had further problems there, he said he would replace the macbook. What I didn't know was that a 15" macbook pro with top specs was waiting for me.

That was almost 2.5 years ago an the macbook pro still works wonderfully.

I couldn't be happier.

[applesupergeek]

This is all the connect the dots I'm doing today. Wanting stuff for free without having to pay for it is socialism, and that's just the bottom line.


Oh is that what socialism is?:rolleyes:

Good points otherwise.

[nlensander]

pic or it didnt happen
http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac154/nlensander/Screenshot.jpg

Boom!:)

[globalhemp]

We live in a world where record companies have made money from customer who re-purchase music (trade in LP's for CD's).

We live in a world where you pay for Sirius satellite music with your DishNetwork or DirecTV service, but God forbid that you would much rather listen to Sirius music while in your car than in your living room -- where you watch tv and movies. Nope. You are forced to pay a second time to listen to satellite radio in your auto ... even though you're paying for it in your home.

Have an iPhone? You can surf the Internet all you want, but if you want to use your MacBook to surf the Internet, you'll need to purchase a separate contract to do so. All the while your iPhone is sitting right there doing nothing.

How about more FLEXIBILITY in using products?

I'm sure that if they could have found a way to prevent users from ripping CD's listen as MP3s, they would have done so. A method for forcing customers to purchase MP3's to listen to music on computers and iPods would have been the business model that the music industry would have loved to push on their loving fans. There is nothing like paying for everything twice or more over.

[kingtj]

This doesn't mean he reads or replies to *all* the emails that come in.

For that matter, how many address aliases do they really have for him? I know sjobs@apple.com is supposed to work, and you're saying steve@apple.com works too.

I actually suggested that a very unhappy friend of mine write a letter to the sjobs address recently. (She had a 17" white iMac that developed LCD screen problems just outside the warranty period. Nasty vertical lines down the thing. And the kicker is, she's a single mom with very limited funding, and only bought this 17" iMac because she was talked into dumping a functioning Windows XP box for it, since it'd be "way more reliable, long term".) Someone at Apple contacted her a couple days later, saying they arranged for a free repair to be done at her choice of facility (Apple's own stores or one of the other authorized service centers in the area).

So certainly, the email reached people "high up" who had authority to go above and beyond the standard warranty. But did Steve Jobs read and approve it personally? Highly doubtful, really. I'm told emails addressed to him generally go to an executive staff in charge of dealing with them. They probably pass certain ones along to him at some secret, internal address, when appropriate.


I used to work at an Apple Store. I told a complaining customer to send his grievances to steve@apple.com since I'd heard through these forums that really tricky problems get resolved that way. I never assumed Steve actually read those e-mails.

A couple days later my manager pulled me in, laughing. Steve had forwarded the customer's e-mail - citing me as the employee who told him to send an e-mail to that address - to Ron Johnson, head of retail, and wrote, "Why was this sent to me?" Ron talked directly to my manager, saying Steve wasn't pleased the e-mail was sent to him and not to another department. So yes, that is really Steve's e-mail address, and that is really Steve responding to the e-mails when they come in.

[jmmo20]

You pay your internet provider for home service, for mobile 3G service, for smartphone service: you are not allowed the excuse of saying 'I already pay for internet service at home. I want mobile 3G service for my laptop for free since I already pay for home service.

guess what? I pay for a mobile service that DOES INCLUDE TETHERING TO ANY DEVICE I WANT. I-n-c-l-u-d-e-d means that what I pay for 3G access from the iphone also allows me to use the tethering solution of my iphone. My operator does not give it to me for free, it is included in the number of services they offer me with the 3g connection (Access to Movistar Wifi spots, 3G networking, tethering, visual voicemail)

I don't get anything for free: I pay my hard earned money to pay for goods and services, and I'm not a cheapskate. You get what you pay for. Oh yeah, and the iPhone and the iPad are TWO SEPARATE devices, that's why you pay for each one separately, and not try to mooch off of one to get service for the other.

Fail. Read previous comment.


This is all the connect the dots I'm doing today. Wanting stuff for free without having to pay for it is socialism, and that's just the bottom line.

"Cheapskates of the world, unite!"

Paranoics of the world, unite.
Yes, in Europe we live a socialist world. Oh Scary Stallin and Lenin.
Whatever dude, relax, see beyond your backwards mentality and visit the world. Guess what? the US is not the best at everything. We do have good things outside the US. Like universal healthcare and operators that allow unlimited tethering from our iphones (paid for with our hard-earned euros).

[eastcoastsurfer]

FAIL. This logic is bothersome to you, because you are thinking in socialist terms ;).


ROFL, socialist terms? Do you even know definition of socialism?


You pay your local phone company for EACH line of service you have, i.e. each telephone number;


But I don't pay for each phone I have. I can hook up an unlimited # of phones to the phone line coming into the house. Ma bell used to try and charge for each phone (and cable companies did the same thing), but that was eventually ruled illegal.


Golden Corral doesn't let your entire family eat for the price of one adult, just because you say "It's all you can eat; this is my family with me, and since they're my family, I'm only going to pay for one person and share with them for the price of one;


Not really the same thing since I thought we were talking about the same person using both devices?


you pay for each Sirius/XM receiver: you don't 'share' one device's subscription to the Sirius/XM network among all Sirius/XM receivers in your car, home, etc; the list goes on and on.


One of the reasons I don't have satellite radio is that they haven't made it easy enough to listen to the radio wherever you happen to be.


If you are 'wealthy', there is no such thing as 'wasting' money; you are glad to pay $200+ for a bottle of Dom Perignon, $5,000 for a first class roundtrip ticket on an airline to go from point A to point B.


The way you get wealthy is by not wasting money. People who learn to not get nickel and dimed at every corner are the ones who save real money. Read "The Millionaire Next Door" sometime.


Use logic and think your posts through next time before rattling off emotional, gut responses. ;)


There was no emotion involved. I'm already paying for a fixed, fast internet connection to my house and a mobile 3g connection. I'm not going to pay for another 3g connection. It doesn't make any sense technically or financially when I already have a perfectly capable 3g connection.


You pay your internet provider for home service, for mobile 3G service, for smartphone service: you are not allowed the excuse of saying 'I already pay for internet service at home. I want mobile 3G service for my laptop for free since I already pay for home service.


I was clear in saying that paying for a fixed internet connection at home and paying for a mobile connection were in fact two different things. What I'm opposed to is paying for another 3g connection when I already pay for one. Ideally Apple would have used a normal SIM in the iPad instead of the mini-sim so I could take put the iPhone SIM in the iPad when it needed 3g data. Instead they made them incompatible to force people to buy additional 3g service. As a company if you do stuff like that enough, the goodwill people have towards you starts to erode.

[goobot]

http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac154/nlensander/Screenshot.jpg

Boom!:)

interesting. never thought that there would be a documents tab in itunes. it getting a little cluttered ;)

[kingtj]

I couldn't agree more! These industries are looking for every angle to increase their profit margins ... but in reality, I think they're hitting an artificial "wall" of sorts anyway. EG. I do actually have an XM satellite radio subscription right now, because my new car included a 3 month free trial -- and I finally decided I'd pay to continue it. (I waited, though, until they started offering me much better deals than the standard pricing they were quoting at first.) Honestly, it's *barely* worth the $90 or so I wound up paying to have it for a year. When they started talking about adding more receivers for monthly fees? No deal! To me, that pushes it past the point of being a good enough value to accept it. So whether they just let subscribers use it *anywhere* or not, they didn't make anything more from me over and above the 1 receiver pricing. By contrast, BECAUSE they have this limitation, it factors into my perceived overall value of the service. If they, for example, want to increase prices next year? I'm definitely canceling. If they chose to be more generous up front, with a "free 5 receiver usage per subscriber" policy or something - they might actually twist my arm to pay the higher rate in this same scenario.

Now, tethering is a *little* bit different of an issue, because AT&T only has so much 3G bandwidth to go around. The crux of the issue with them is, they've been over-promising and under-delivering on those unworkable promises. They sold iPhone data plans as "unlimited" (which gets the maximum amount of new customer sign-ups), yet they can't possibly deliver on that promise! They decided that instead of clearly stating how much you got to use the plan for your monthly payment, they'd limit the real-world usage with restrictions on what can be done with the service. (Not even any picture or video SMS messaging allowed for a long time ... no streaming video with a number of popular applications like Slingbox player for a long time ... and to date, no tethering.)

It probably wouldn't have gotten so many sign-ups, but I think the honest and "better" way to market the service really would have been to place reasonable "transfer caps" on monthly data usage, with the option to automatically pay another $10 or whatever, to buy another equal-sized "block" of data any time you went over the set limit. Then, allow tethering and everything else. People who really need it on special occasions can then use it without issues, and people simply trying to "hog up" as much bandwidth as possible will have to pay more to tie up all those resources!


We live in a world where record companies have made money from customer who re-purchase music (trade in LP's for CD's).

We live in a world where you pay for Sirius satellite music with your DishNetwork or DirecTV service, but God forbid that you would much rather listen to Sirius music while in your car than in your living room -- where you watch tv and movies. Nope. You are forced to pay a second time to listen to satellite radio in your auto ... even though you're paying for it in your home.

Have an iPhone? You can surf the Internet all you want, but if you want to use your MacBook to surf the Internet, you'll need to purchase a separate contract to do so. All the while your iPhone is sitting right there doing nothing.

How about more FLEXIBILITY in using products?

I'm sure that if they could have found a way to prevent users from ripping CD's listen as MP3s, they would have done so. A method for forcing customers to purchase MP3's to listen to music on computers and iPods would have been the business model that the music industry would have loved to push on their loving fans. There is nothing like paying for everything twice or more over.

[Rocketman]

The bottom line is AT&T requests tethering restrictions to add more channels of revenue and restrict the convenience of larger data usage. That's the reason.

So the entire solution to tethering is to have a path with AT&T that addresses their concerns. If I had tethering I would want to use it with my PowerBook for occasional email checking (that is to say downloading of stored messages and erasing the email server), or for viewing messages that have the proper software on the PowerBook. This does not sound like a bandwidth hog use to me. This sounds like convenience or mission critical usage.

Now if a user is going to tether to download images of pirated DVD's and such, they are probably going to jailbreak anyway.

I want an option that says, you are a trusted customer. You have a legit Apple device, and a legit AT&T data account. You may use that for XYZ uses up to ABC bandwidth limit, and above that you pay a premium fee. If it is sufficiently mission critical you will pay that fee too. If you are downloading torrents, you will make the minor compromise to wait till you get home to your PC.

Rocketman

[nlensander]

interesting. never thought that there would be a documents tab in itunes. it getting a little cluttered ;)

can't wait for the iPad!! Im gonna get the 64 GB wifi +3G version, the 3g will be great when traveling, gonna preorder next friday!

[bluehaze013]

Do you own any Apple laptops or an iPhone / iPod touch ? Do you get the same battery life as their spec pages suggest ? I seriously highly doubt it.

Owned iPhone since the beginning before switching to a better phone recently...of course manufacturers present a best case scenario for battery life, why wouldn't they but they are never as far off as you suggest. Considering they say 10 hours I would expect 8 hours to be reasonable with heavy use for the iPad. If it is not then as I said, it will be going straight back to the store! :D

[nlensander]

interesting. never thought that there would be a documents tab in itunes. it getting a little cluttered ;)

will you be purchasing an iPad? If so which model

[sushi]

Why should a carrier care what form factor I'm using to surf the net. I can legally tether my laptop ... why not an iPad? WTF difference does it make the carrier?
Agree.

It the carrier allows tethering, then it really shouldn't matter what is tethered -- especially if you have an unlimited data plan.

Being in Japan, I wonder what SoftBank's policy will be.

interesting. never thought that there would be a documents tab in itunes. it getting a little cluttered ;)
Using iTunes makes sense.

Keeps things simple that way.

[flowney]

Just sign up for Sprint and use their MyFi device. That will provide connectivity for up to five (5) devices. Thus, you can provide internet connectivity to an iPod touch, an iPad, your laptop and two more devices in addition to that, all without wires!

On tethering, I'd say fahgeddaboutit.

[Master Chief]

You just answered your own question.

What Apple is doing in the middle?

Selling the iPad and beholden to carriers.

This is 2010, the age of exploding data use. A lot of US carriers are ill-prepared for it, or fear what's coming down the road. If European carriers are prepared, that's great. In any case, given US carriers' current difficulties with managing data usage, it's certainly up to them how you use your data plan. Hopefully where you are it's all sweetness and light.

Just being a realist here.
Yes this is 2010, luckily, and we are using more data, but isn't it the responsibility of (your) carrier(s) to be prepared... to stay in business? I mean AT&T knew about the iPhone before it came out, but did nothing and now they blame iPhone users for using too much data. Duh?!?

And you should blame carriers for being ill-prepared, and not tell consumers – people here – simply to accept the unfair limitations as data is "just data" no matter what device is being used.

So how is Canada? I mean the carriers over there ;) Are they ready for you?

[RalfTheDog]

If you are 'wealthy', there is no such thing as 'wasting' money; you are glad to pay $200+ for a bottle of Dom Perignon, $5,000 for a first class roundtrip ticket on an airline to go from point A to point B. Use logic and think your posts through next time before rattling off emotional, gut responses.

Not true. People who are not limited by money in normal day to day things don't like the feeling of getting ripped off any more than people who work for minimum wage like to feel they are taken advantage of.

I do not mind paying full value for a good product. Sometimes I think people who provide a very good service undervalue what they do. If someone charges me more, just because I have more money, I will find another place to do business.
_____________

I am very tempted to write Mr. Jobs and find out if the girl I dated about 10 years ago was really his daughter. We only went out once, She was quite nice, very smart, stunningly good looking and more than a bit crazy (Mostly in a good way).

[RalfTheDog]

Sorry for the double post, I think I may have just had a random thought that might have some value.

From a marketing perspective, it would be better to release the 3G version first. The best reason I can think of not to do it that way would be if you were having trouble with the 3G.

Apple has admitted in it's advertising that the iPad has not yet been approved by the FCC. (They did not say if it was the 3G version or the WiFi). This makes me think that they are having problems getting the 3G part approved.

[*LTD*]

Yes this is 2010, luckily, and we are using more data, but isn't it the responsibility of (your) carrier(s) to be prepared... to stay in business? I mean AT&T knew about the iPhone before it came out, but did nothing and now they blame iPhone users for using too much data. Duh?!?

No one, but NO ONE could have predicted the data explosion caused by the iPhone. Apple was clearly underestimated (that time understandably), as they have been so many times. It seems they're being underestimated yet again with the iPad. Thankfully, though, it seems the carriers have learned their lesson, *but*, are they actually expanding their services to accommodate the data-tsunami, or are they finding ways of combating it, curbing it, and doling it out for exorbitant amounts of money? That's the question.

[mccldwll]

I wrote to sjobs@apple.com in 2006 because of a non stop, recurring problem with a macbook pro I ordered. It was DOA, and Apple replaced it. The replacement was broken, and so was the replacement for the replacement. I wrote to Steve, explained how I was a loyal longtime customer and described how the experience I had was less than optimal. I then contrasted that to my job, and how if I failed to deliver exceptional experiences, I'd be let go - why shouldn't I let Apple go? He responded immediately, said it was being taken care of, and the next day I received a call from his assistant who sent me a brand new Macbook Pro without having to return the other one, and I was offered any iPod I wanted as well for free. When I got home later that night, I had an email from Daniel Marusich (one of the lead creatives at Apple) saying he was asked by "Mr. Jobs" to contact me and find out if I might be interested in a job. I spoke to him on the phone a week later, ran through my portfolio and experience and ultimately turned the job down for personal reasons.

I'm sure it's not out of the realm of possibility that there may be people that aren't Steve Jobs replying to emails but given that the majority of emails sent to that account are not replied to, I'd say it lends to the credibility. He's known to be a man of few words, and why wouldn't he be awake at 3am? His personality sure fits the bill.



I'm sure it's not out of the realm of possibility that Steve Jobs has at one time or another over the years responded to an email which got kicked up through all the screening layers. However, the idea that the CEO of a now $200B corporation, in the middle of a new product rollout, is answering emails that could be handled by a lower level functionary is beyond ridiculous. Even low level aapl employees have a lot of discretion when it comes to satisfying customers. I've heard of lots of people who've had trouble with laptops, even out of warranty, who've been given new ones by the genius bar guys. The PR is well worth it. (L.L. Bean is pretty much the same) And when someone who has had major surgery in the past year is awake at 3:00 a.m., the last thing in the world he will be doing is handling customer complaints. It's a fairy tale. And it's relevant here because since it's not from SJ, it's far from the last word on to what extent the wifi iPad will be able to be tethered.

[wizard]

Hi,
I´m from Germany. My provider does allow tethering. And I use this with my Macbook. All legal. Same as the requestor from Sweden.

Yes all very nice. However you are doing that via the USB port I would imagine. IPad doesn't have a standard USB port to tether like that. so In your case you would need something like MyWi to set up a WiFi connection.


But the the statement from Steve was not "no tethering AT&T, but no problem for you in Sweden". His statement was a clear: "NO".

Yes because the answer clearly is NO at this time. That due to the hardware supplied and he way tethering is commonly defined.


I have no problem when you choose a provider that does not allow tethering - it´s your problem. Choose a different provider or pay for tethering.

Currently no one in the US has either of those options. At least not with iPhone. The potential for change is there as Apple & AT&T are getting hammered with ads touting tethering on competing hardware.

If my provider allows tethering (I´m paying for it!) and my device could use tethering. But a stupid software restriction is blocking the usage of this - then I´m pissed!.

Greetings,
Michael

From what I can see it is more than a software restriction. I wouldn't get pissed though, rather I'd suggest a jailbreak. WiFi tethering is a better approach anyways.

[wizard]

you dont know anything.

att did nothing wrong not to mention the ipad is unlocked so it has nothing to do with att.

A plan that involves selling unlocked iPads has everything to do with AT&T. In fact the unlocked iPad is one of the bigger surprises at its debut.


next why would apple not want to make an extra 130 bucks and they prob got a deal with att with the data too.

Of course Apple got a deal. That is a big part of business, making deals that is. As to the unbundled 3G that is likely done to make sure Apple has salable units to individuals and corporations that really don't want to deal with 3G.

you obviously are just and idiot fanboy that doesnt know who to blame.

Fanboi, Look in the mirror bud. I put the blame where it rationally rests.

ok also the ipod touch has nothing to do with a carrier. why cant you tether to that? you have no facts and dont know what your talking about.

I think you have trouble reading for content.


Dave

[Xtremehkr]

There is so much free Wi Fi available these days, I avoid using 3G most of the time because it's so much slower.

I'd rather see cities develop free Wi Fi networks that provide coverage without AT&T's ridiculous profit margins.

[goobot]

A plan that involves selling unlocked iPads has everything to do with AT&T. In fact the unlocked iPad is one of the bigger surprises at its debut.

Of course Apple got a deal. That is a big part of business, making deals that is. As to the unbundled 3G that is likely done to make sure Apple has salable units to individuals and corporations that really don't want to deal with 3G.

Fanboi, Look in the mirror bud. I put the blame where it rationally rests.


I think you have trouble reading for content.


Dave

??? you kinda agreed with everything i said. anyway i said fanboy cause i was pissed. nothing personal. i just feel 99% of this has to do with apple not att

[wizard]

Small battery doesn't mean much, it's how efficient the phone itself is at using the power resorces. Frankly, the iPhone is a juice guzzler. But at least it fits in your pocket...

Yes my 3G certainly is. However all things electronic can be improved, in this respect I'm hoping the next gen iPhone is far more capable with respect to run time.


As for Steve's claim of a 10 hour battery life, this will be the first thing that's going to be put to the test. Honestly, I don't believe it...but we'll see.

It certainly will be tested but frankly I think they will come awfully close. Of course the actual make up of the web surfing test will need to be explained. If the thing can download ten hours of UTube video then that is a huge accomplishment. Most likely the performance will be less.

Dave

[goobot]

will you be purchasing an iPad? If so which model

yep. im getting the 3g 32gig. i cant wait. i already came across times when i thought "this would be so much easier with the ipad"

also... (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=872624)

[ShiftyPig]

Oh, it's probably one of his minor lowly minions, but it's hilarious that Jobs leaves them instructions to answer his emails in this fashion. Like the earlier poster said, no other CEO in the world would dare do such a thing.

You've obviously never been to a shareholder's meeting then.

That's pretty much the standard response to idiotic questions to which everyone already knows the answer. I'd have been more impressed with a response of:

http://www.apple.com/ipad/features/3G+WiFi

[Night Spring]

You've obviously never been to a shareholder's meeting then.

That's pretty much the standard response to idiotic questions to which everyone already knows the answer. I'd have been more impressed with a response of:

But this isn't a shareholder's meeting, it's a response to a customer email. But I do like your suggestion for a possible response.

[blizaine]

MyWi is the best $10 I've spent on any "App". That's how I'm going to be tethering my iPad.

[wizard]

There is so much free Wi Fi available these days, I avoid using 3G most of the time because it's so much slower.

I'd rather see cities develop free Wi Fi networks that provide coverage without AT&T's ridiculous profit margins.

Around here the availability of open WiFi connections is extremely thin. In fact I hardly ever connect my iPhone that way and I use it on the web a lot.

As to cities or government in general providing WiFi I'm not convinced that is wise either. There is a small zone of Town provided WiFi not far from where I live, it is so bad it is not worth the drive. At times 3G is faster.

What is really needed is good old fashion competition, instead of city or town legislated monopolies.

One possibility that does intrigue me though is the idea that we could replace the US Postal service with a government run fiber to the home system. This would replace one monopoly with another but would be a modern approach to the constitutional requirement for a Mail service. It would take awhile but does have some advantages, one being taking local control out of the loop. The other is the idea that tacking on a WiFi node would be very inexpensive and would lead to proliferation.

The problem is we have to many idiots in congress to grasp the proposal. To save jobs they would just expand the US Postal service which is of course a pretty stupid move. The other issue would be the luddites and other crazies thinking that your number (IP Address) is some sort of a government plan to do what ever.


Dave

[ShiftyPig]

But this isn't a shareholder's meeting, it's a response to a customer email. But I do like your suggestion for a possible response.

Mine was in response to someone saying that no other CEO would respond with just a "No." No, it happens all the time, when there's nothing else to say on the matter besides, "you idiot."

Asking about iPhone tethering to an iPad is, frankly, a ridiculous question.

[goobot]

steve doesnt want to give people ideas thats false. people will look at his wording and will out of the blue twist his words. so he keeps it simple. "no" now tell me, how do you twist that?

[JoEw]

i think you guys sometimes forget apple is a company and it would simply be stupid for them to allow people to teather there iphones to there ipads. there would be zero reason to get a ipad 3g.

[mccldwll]

i think you guys sometimes forget apple is a company and it would simply be stupid for them to allow people to teather there iphones to there ipads. there would be zero reason to get a ipad 3g.


Au contraire. As spelled out in detail earlier, there are around 50 million reasons for aapl to allow iPhone owners to tether their iPads. The 3G model extends the mobile iPad market to non iPhone owners.

[Xtremehkr]

What is really needed is good old fashion competition, instead of city or town legislated monopolies.



There's not been much competition going on here in the private sector, Europe and parts of Asia are far outstripping the US when it comes to development of networks.

It's funny you should mention monopolies when talking about AT&T. AT&T at one point, was one of the most abusive monopolies ever to form. It was so bad that it was broken into the baby bells to encourage competition again.

[E.Lizardo]

Wouldn't tethering become a user interface nightmare though? You'd have to ensure the device isn't asleep to be able to connect to it, and it would run down the battery on both devices.

Surely a better solution is to just switch SIM card between devices, clone your sim card, or arrange some sort of duo-plan with your network provider, like a family plan, but for a family of devices. :p

iPhone sim won't fit.

[Night Spring]

Mine was in response to someone saying that no other CEO would respond with just a "No." No, it happens all the time, when there's nothing else to say on the matter besides, "you idiot."

Sure, answering just "no" happens, but in this thread we are talking about answering just "no" to an email. From a customer. Most CEOs will have their minions send a standardized, overly polite and long-winded response in order to just say no, instead of actually just writing "No."

[RalfTheDog]

What about different kinds of tethering. I would love it if the pad could share the phones camera (conferencing). How about letting the phone act as an iTunes server. You could watch movies or TV shows that were stored on your phone.

[flyguy206]

why not just buy a 3g of you want to use the net on the go? this is the reason why i stop using ebay because people think they are owed the world

[2002cbr600f4i]

The bottom line is AT&T requests tethering restrictions to add more channels of revenue and restrict the convenience of larger data usage. That's the reason.

So the entire solution to tethering is to have a path with AT&T that addresses their concerns. If I had tethering I would want to use it with my PowerBook for occasional email checking (that is to say downloading of stored messages and erasing the email server), or for viewing messages that have the proper software on the PowerBook. This does not sound like a bandwidth hog use to me. This sounds like convenience or mission critical usage.

Now if a user is going to tether to download images of pirated DVD's and such, they are probably going to jailbreak anyway.

I want an option that says, you are a trusted customer. You have a legit Apple device, and a legit AT&T data account. You may use that for XYZ uses up to ABC bandwidth limit, and above that you pay a premium fee. If it is sufficiently mission critical you will pay that fee too. If you are downloading torrents, you will make the minor compromise to wait till you get home to your PC.

Rocketman



2 words- BULL ****!

If AT&T was worried about the bandwidth, they wouldn't GLADLY sell you a 3G dongle for your laptop... And charge you for it...

I am PERFECTLY willing to pay an upcharge to use the iPhone as a tether - I pay $40 a month right now for the 3G USB dongle I use to get my macbook online while traveling. The point is, I'd rather just give them that $40 and be allowed to tether so it'd be 1 less thing I'd have to lug around with me....

But they don't even give us that option!

[E.Lizardo]

A little. It had been proposed elsewhere that this was the future. Your iPhone would be your wireless internet device. You would pay one bill for this and tether your other devices to the iPhone. In addition, the iPhone would become smaller as you would mostly use it for phone calls and for an internet connection. The iPad would serve as the larger screen when needed. It sounded plausible.

I would absolutely say no to a smaller iphone.People are not going to carry both around as much as you seem to think.

[Stella]

why not just buy a 3g of you want to use the net on the go? this is the reason why i stop using ebay because people think they are owed the world

Because it adds $30 or so a month?

Why pay the extra internet charge when you can tether with your ( non iPhone ) phone?

[cmaier]

Because it adds $30 or so a month?

Why pay the extra internet charge when you can tether with your ( non iPhone ) phone?

The reason it only costs $30/month for unlimited access is that Apple promised AT&T that it wouldn't let wi-fi ipads tether to iphones.

[anjonjp]

The guy got a direct response to his question, I don't see anything wrong with that. No need for Steve to give him some big explanation.

Exactly! They asked Jobs a closed ended question to which there are only two possible answers. A 'yes' or a 'no'. OK - there is also 'maybe' if you want to cause chaos and confusion on the Macrumours forums! :D:D

[Stella]

The reason it only costs $30/month for unlimited access is that Apple promised AT&T that it wouldn't let wi-fi ipads tether to iphones.

Ah ok. But Apple cannot stop tethering from other phones... how can you identify tethering vs regular WIFI AP?

[cmaier]

Ah ok. But Apple cannot stop tethering from other phones... how can you identify tethering vs regular WIFI AP?

You can't. But a deal is a deal. AT&T figures iPhone owners are much more likely to buy iPads, so most iPad owners, at least for awhile, will also have iPhones. It tethering is allowed, that's increased load on the network without additional $$ for AT&T (remember - AT&T still doesn't allow iPhone tethering). This way, AT&T gets at least some $$ to allow what every decent network already allows.

[Friscohoya]

This just aint fair. Though I do understand. I am still not happy with the extra 4130 for the 3G ipad. I guess ATT said they wouldnt subsidize again so Apple is getting their pound of flesh from us.

[goobot]

This just aint fair. Though I do understand. I am still not happy with the extra 4130 for the 3G ipad. I guess ATT said they wouldnt subsidize again so Apple is getting their pound of flesh from us.

its contract free or subsidized pricing. apple choice no contract which suits this device.

[ninethirty]

Aww, muffin. You're just sad because he never replied to you, eh?

I have to believe he is, given the fact that the first time I emailed him led to an interview with Apple and they had no idea what I did for a living. Sure, maybe there's people sifting through the emails and pushing select ones up to him.. maybe not. But I doubt Steve Jobs, or Apple would allow that kind of direct (and blunt) communication with customers if it wasn't really him. Every time this happens it ends up on Engadget, or Digg, etc. And look at the kind of negative attention it's generating.

By my own experience, types like Steve are addicted to their work. They can't let it go.. ever. They're working until the wee hours of the morning, up late, up early, and always writing emails, leaving voicemails. They're an employees worst nightmare because the job never ends. It really doesn't seem that unrealistic to me.


I'm sure it's not out of the realm of possibility that Steve Jobs has at one time or another over the years responded to an email which got kicked up through all the screening layers. However, the idea that the CEO of a now $200B corporation, in the middle of a new product rollout, is answering emails that could be handled by a lower level functionary is beyond ridiculous. Even low level aapl employees have a lot of discretion when it comes to satisfying customers. I've heard of lots of people who've had trouble with laptops, even out of warranty, who've been given new ones by the genius bar guys. The PR is well worth it. (L.L. Bean is pretty much the same) And when someone who has had major surgery in the past year is awake at 3:00 a.m., the last thing in the world he will be doing is handling customer complaints. It's a fairy tale. And it's relevant here because since it's not from SJ, it's far from the last word on to what extent the wifi iPad will be able to be tethered.

[Jezper]

Mine was in response to someone saying that no other CEO would respond with just a "No." No, it happens all the time, when there's nothing else to say on the matter besides, "you idiot."

Asking about iPhone tethering to an iPad is, frankly, a ridiculous question.

And why is that? Ridiculous is to release not one but two different versions of the iPad, and none of them can connect to internet thru an iPhone even though the iPhone officially supports devices connecting to the internet thru it and the technology to do so is right there.