Apple Tablet to Support Multiple Wireless Carriers Including Verizon?

[HobeSoundDarryl]

$15 is a dream. the price will simply be the same as a USG 3G dongle or tethering. certainly no less than the $30 data plan for the iphone 3G with ATT. so expect something around $50 per month. alternatively run it as wifi only device.

That is extremely likely. It cracks me up how, ahead of every big product launch from Apple, we Apple fans decide to build up the appeal of the product by imagining all these other companies cutting their revenue & profit throats to help Apple sell more of the new product. There is NO REASON for an AT&T, Verizon, etc to heavily discount their service especially for this product, effectively creating incentives for their own customers to switch devices and pay AT&T, Verizon, etc LESS for the same service.

Get real people. Apple can do whatever is within Apple's power to try to sell more of these Tablets. When you start banking on other companies shooting themselves in the foot to help Apple sell more Tablets, you're disconnecting from the realities of how capitalism works.

 

[aegisdesign]

I totally was thinking the same thing, partly what I am hoping Google Voice can do this year.

Google Voice is not A VoIP service. It might evolve into one now that Google have bought Gizmo, but at present it uses regular landline and mobile phone networks, not internet only VoIP/SIP clients.

 

[DTphonehome]

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I buy the concept of non-exclusive carrier choice for the iSlate (or iWhatever).

What I don't buy - literally - is the likelihood that people are going to pony up for yet another expensive data plan. I have internet service at home. I have internet service for my iPhone. I have a 3G dongle for my MBP when I'm on the road. That's it. I'm not adding a fourth internet contract/fee/expense. No way.

There are a few ways Apple could handle this. And maybe if the price is truly approaching $1000, maybe they've figured out a way to bake 3G connectivity into the purchase price (as has Amazon). Otherwise, I hope they sell a version that either doesn't require 3G or one that will finally take advantage of my iPhone's ability to tether.

$15 a month would be fair. Anything more wouldn't.

IF you already have a data plan on a phone.

 

[Small White Car]

Get real people. Apple can do whatever is within Apple's power to try to sell more of these Tablets. When you start banking on other companies shooting themselves in the foot to help Apple sell more Tablets, you're disconnecting from the realities of how capitalism works.

Very nice.

As for me, I do just fine not having 3G on my Macbook Pro. In the same way I think I'd do just fine without 3G on a tablet.

It's funny how the possibility of 3G suddenly makes everyone think they'll have to get it or the tablet will be useless! No it won't. Laptops have been very popular without 3G. The iSlate can be too. Just don't sign up for it.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

It would be smart to not have the 3G capability built it, just allow it to tether to the iPhone via Bluetooth! It would keep the cost down and whats the point in having two 3G devices on you at the same time

No purpose. But for the people who don't own iPhones, having 3G capability built into this device is tremendously appealing. We shouldn't assume the market for the Tablet is iPhone owners. I wouldn't think Apple is trying to compete with itself, nor trying to penetrate a market as small (large) as the iPhone-owner market as their primary objective.

 

[DipDog3]

So would I still need a iPhone?

How much are the plans?

 

[chwhale]

I have to believe that if this tablet is supposed to work with wireless carriers, that someone at some carrier would have leaked something by now. Apple is very tight-lipped about their products but the same security measures aren't in place at any wireless provider. Just look back at gadget sites over the past few years. Something is always leaked.

I am not in favor of a forced monthly fee. Make it a hybrid of sorts. Give me wifi only or the ability to connect it to a carrier if I choose. In my case, AT&T doesn't seem to be able to deliver consistant voice service to my iPhone, let alone a good data network. I'm nowhere near a 3G service area. So, forcing a customer like me into a monthly contract for service that I can't even get is a big deal breaker. Hopefully Steve and Co. has considered this.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Really irrelevant unless Apple has made some sort of irresistible pricing deal w/ carriers (unlikely). I probably will buy an App Tab if knocks my socks off, but I def. won't be burdening myself with yet another Internet account. I already pay $35 for DSL and $30 for my iPhone. Enough already. Moreover, if I were to pay for wireless Internet I wouldn't lock it down to a single device. I'd get a Mi-Fi.

 

[DTphonehome]

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I can see free books and periodicals over the air. But this thing is going to be a data-heavy broswer with apps to download, so I can't see them giving away 3G or including it in the price. I see $30 a month or $15 if you already have an iPhone to tether to.

 

[TraceyS/FL]

To the guys in the states, aren't you able to get an extra SIM-card from your provider? In sweden you can get an extra one for just a few $ / month.

This was brought up in another thread - and I don't think it got answered there. I don't *think* you can - but that doesn't mean crap! LOL!!

 

[DotComCTO]

I have to say that while everyone is jumping up and down about how great Verizon is, I have two observations:

1. I have a Blackberry on VzW and my iPhone on AT&T. Data transfer on my iPhone blows the BB away. I've done side-by-side tests many times and my iPhone on AT&T is simply faster.

2. My big concern about VzW is that they have a tendency to "nickel & dime" their customers. Want tethering? That'll cost you. Visual voicemail? Cha-ching. VzW used to charge to unlock the GPS capability in their phones; I remember that from earlier BBs that I had. And so on and so on. Not sure what VzW will charge for putting this device on their network.

So, while Vz voice is good, AT&T data is faster for sure (I'm just outside of NYC).

Just my 2 cents.

--DotComCTO

 

[TraceyS/FL]

Really irrelevant unless Apple has made some sort of irresistible pricing deal w/ carriers (unlikely). I probably will buy an App Tab if knocks my socks off, but I def. won't be burdening myself with yet another Internet account. I already pay $35 for DSL and $30 for my iPhone. Enough already. Moreover, if I were to pay for wireless Internet I wouldn't lock it down to a single device. I'd get a Mi-Fi.

that is where i am. BUT, if there is a decent plan for $15/mo - i might consider it.

Apple COULD force US carriers to "do more" with plans with this. I'd like to see a per mb pre-paid option without it being tied to a time frame. Let me buy 2gb and buy more when it runs out, not in 30 days.....

It's MY data fantasy that will never happen!

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

...but this advertisement that AT&T is running with being able to talk and surf at the same time does nothing for me, and I wonder how many others?

The issue here is that Verizon has slammed AT&T with a very tangible, highly resonating concept... that is true. AT&T's initial reaction was to try to prevent this message from continuing via legal means, but courts generally support truth.

So now AT&T is trying to address the issue by asking: what do we do that Verizon can't? And this answer is the best they can do.

The correct solution is what has been stated many times before: beat Verizon at their own game... build a bigger network. And that would also solve several other issues such as poor reception, etc. But rather than spend money to satisfy customers, AT&T would rather try to smooth it over with advertising. From a user's point of view, that's very much the WRONG answer, but it is a much cheaper way to go.

 

[cmaier]

Really irrelevant unless Apple has made some sort of irresistible pricing deal w/ carriers (unlikely). I probably will buy an App Tab if knocks my socks off, but I def. won't be burdening myself with yet another Internet account. I already pay $35 for DSL and $30 for my iPhone. Enough already. Moreover, if I were to pay for wireless Internet I wouldn't lock it down to a single device. I'd get a Mi-Fi.

Good point. If the tablet tethers, even better - one less thing to carry.

 

[CmdrLaForge]

I definitely hope that I don't have to sign up for any Telco plan to get an iSlate. This would definitely be a deal breaker for me.

 

[HyperX13]

I'll be content if it comes with dual radios allowing folks to choose either using a CDMA or GSM network; maybe even utilize CSIM/RUIM cards (if Verizon will support it).

It may come with removable radios like the x300 lenovos.

 

[Lepton]

A slot for a carrier's card

As I wrote in an article recently, which some stupid rule keeps me from linking to here (but its in my profile), I believe they will have a slot. They can sell the tablet in any old store without a card in the slot, but a carrier can bundle the device with their own card and a contract, subsidizing it. This lets Apple make one model that works on any carrier. Many more predictions in the article - stylus, BT keyboard and mouse support, iChat, etc.

 

[cmaier]

As I wrote in an article recently, which some stupid rule keeps me from linking to here (but its in my profile), I believe they will have a slot. They can sell the tablet in any old store without a card in the slot, but a carrier can bundle the device with their own card and a contract, subsidizing it. This lets Apple make one model that works on any carrier. Many more predictions in the article - stylus, BT keyboard and mouse support, iChat, etc.

As should be apparent by now, Apple eschews slots.

 

[iOrlando]

Exactly! My iphone already is a pipe to the internet via cellular access why do I have to pay for another pipe when I can use the one I have?

what if att said...ok apple...we want 2 more years exclusivity...but as a sweetner..any iphone user can add this tablet to their $30 iphone data plan for no charge...

i think apple might say hmmm we might have to take you up on that

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

And how would I carry it? Not on a belt clip, like my iPhone. I suppose I would have to invest in a man-purse. I already have an iPhone. I already have a MacBook. I want a new device that compliments my prior purchases, not one that has redundant features.

I appreciate the problem myself. And there's more than 1000 posts in the past weekend's thread trying to figure out such issues.

But, as I imagine it, I don't have an iPhone now. I'm interested in one but I'm a tall guy with tall guy hands, always finding iPhone/Touch too small for good use every time I've worked with them. I'm hoping the 7" version also rumored is real, as that would be perfect size... even if ALL I used it for was very much iPhone-like functionality.

But even if 10" is all we get, if it covers the phone functionality need (true 3G or unhindered, mobile VOIP), then yes, it's carried in a laptop-like bag, maybe in the same bag as a laptop (like a couple of magazines or a few folders of information in another pocket.

Whether it has a phone built in or not, how are people going to carry it when not in active use? Some kind of bag/case/portfolio wrap. If it's going with you and you want hands free some of the time, that case has a shoulder strap. Man-purse here (we/you) Tablet-buyers come.

And, by the way, I have much harder time imagining people with iTunes-connected devices like existing laptops and iphones being a BIG market for this Tablet. Yours is just one of the reasons why.

 

[_bnkr612]

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Who would want to pay for two plans on two different devices? Certainly, swapping SIMs won't be desired.

 

[aegisdesign]

iPhone Bluetooth tethering is a lame duck. It's too slow. Why would you bother with Bluetooth when you've got WiFi built in to your device?

Apple needs this app on the iPhone...

Joikuspot - http://www.joikushop.com/?action=products&mode=productDetails&product_id=33

I use this all the time on my Nokia. It creates a WiFi hotspot on my phone which bridges to the 3G connection. Anything I'm carrying is never away from a WiFi network of my own.

So, if the Tablet is WiFi only, that's not a big problem and actually preferable if you've a Nokia already anyway. If you've an iPhone, well, buy a Nokia - Wifi and 3G capable Nokias with unlimited internet tariffs are £15-20 here in the UK and often cheaper than buying a USB dongle.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

There is no way, i am spending a $1,000 for a apple tablet plus a monthly data charge! This should be included! Barnes & Noble, and Amazon both include their data service @ no charge. Im sure the people at Apple could figure out a way to do it.

I strongly suspect the $1000 (or my guess of $799) is the unsubsidized (no contract) price. I'm guessing subsidies will get it down into the "shockingly low" range of $499-$599.

I can't imagine a 3G data service included except one severely limited to being used for downloading purchased content, for reasons stated in another reply (#66). In that case, much like with the products you reference, it's not actually free... you're paying for it in the (higher) price of each product you buy with it.

There will be no wide open 3G use baked into the price, unless the price was crazy high, well north of $1000. AT&T, Verizon, etc will want to fully get theirs... not cut their profit throats to help Apple sell more Tablets.

 

[derek1984]

No reason to think they can't offer this at a $30/month data plan like the iPhone or $15/month if you already have a data plan. The discount would keep many people with AT&T and they would still be making money they shouldn't be because of the possibilities of tethering.

 

[aegisdesign]

As should be apparent by now, Apple eschews slots.

Though they seem to like adding them lately - adding SD card slots to the iMac and their laptops.

If they add a slot like the iPhone SIM slot, paperclip sales will rocket.