I think that means the stores will have displays. NOT on the iPad but a big version of the big version of the iPod.
Obviously you read the final sentence in that short bit of quoted text.
VelfarreClubber and Icaras didn't have time for that.
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AT&T to Carry 3G-Capable iPad in Stores?
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Obviously you read the final sentence in that short bit of quoted text.
VelfarreClubber and Icaras didn't have time for that.
ROTFLMAO. So unlike the previous 60 years of history computers are not going to get incrementally more affordable over time. Yeah right. Computers are going to get more affordable for exactly the same reasons that have been true for the last 60 years.
The "One Laptp Per Child" org did much more to spawn the market for netbooks than the recession did. That movement and driving forces were already in flight well before the recession became acknowledged and businesses started to adapt to it.
I guess that's interesting. Just not surprising. The service provider has the ability to sell the product it services. I guess the rub is that they are not subsidizing the price anymore so maybe apple is losing dough on units sold at AT&T.
I like that Apple is expanding its retail reach, but AT&T stores don't give off a quality vibe to me. I'd be concerned about their buying experience negatively affecting the iPad's appeal. It's too much like a computer, and I really question whether the average AT&T employee can do it justice.
Yes, Apple sells through Best Buy (in a similar situation), and even provides them with fixtures and a layout so they can't screw it up. Yet the mini Apple store at my local Best Buy is always in shambles. The big screen is usually showing the top-left 1/4 of the Desktop instead of a promo video. I overheard an employee telling a potential Apple customer: "You don't need that unless you have an iTouch..." And other such things.
All I can say is, please tread carefully with 3rd party big box retail, Apple.
Yes, Apple sells through Best Buy (in a similar situation), and even provides them with fixtures and a layout so they can't screw it up. Yet the mini Apple store at my local Best Buy is always in shambles. The big screen is usually showing the top-left 1/4 of the Desktop instead of a promo video. I overheard an employee telling a potential Apple customer: "You don't need that unless you have an iTouch..." And other such things.
All I can say is, please tread carefully with 3rd party big box retail, Apple.
This makes no sense.
The BOM cost for the entry-level WiFi only iPad is about $250. Add a few extra dollars for the 3G version (cellular chip, antenna, GPS). Either case, Apple will make its margins regardless where the device is sold (Apple Stores, AT&T stores, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Amazon.com, etc.).
Apple's business model is not to ship hardware loss leaders. Their model is to use content (music, videos, apps, etc.) to drive sales of its high-margin hardware.
I'm sure most people are not really surprised AT&T will be carrying the iPad. I wonder when they will make the announcement, and if they decide to offer subsidization for two year contracts.
I disagree with this only because netbooks suck.
So it doesn't matter if they are potentially less expensive. They don't do any of the things they are supposed to do well, so are significantly less useful than something like an iPad or a cheap notebook.
In otherwords, if you want something to take on vacation you would be better off with a $350 13"-15' laptop than a netbook. Netbooks are not good for anything. They are a compromise of the worst order.
I wish netbooks did what everyone wished they would do, but they suffer some fundamental limitations that make them a less than ideal solution in almost all cases.
I have multiple laptops, an iPhone, desktop computers and 2 netbooks. The only computers that never get used are the two netbooks. The negatives of them outweigh any plusses.
The same will not be true of the iPad.
IPad at AT&T Unlikely
The IPad being sold in AT&T stores is highly unlikely. First of all, the IPad subscription will work basically like a prepaid data service. You sign up with AT&T to have it automatically charge from a debit/credit card each month. There is no need for it to be activated in the stores and no push for the stores to even sell them. Second, i doubt AT&T is going to dedicate floor display and inventory space to something that is not going to carry a contract and has no need to actually set up an account (which is one of the main purposes of a AT&T retail store). Best Buy and others might carry it but it seems very unlikely that AT&T stores would carry it.
The IPad being sold in AT&T stores is highly unlikely. First of all, the IPad subscription will work basically like a prepaid data service. You sign up with AT&T to have it automatically charge from a debit/credit card each month. There is no need for it to be activated in the stores and no push for the stores to even sell them. Second, i doubt AT&T is going to dedicate floor display and inventory space to something that is not going to carry a contract and has no need to actually set up an account (which is one of the main purposes of a AT&T retail store). Best Buy and others might carry it but it seems very unlikely that AT&T stores would carry it.
I see this is true as well, but you have to "think differently" here. They will sell the iPad in the AT&T store ONLY if it is being sold WITH a contract of some sort. Otherwise it's just an AT&T GO Phone rack with little to no attention directed.
True, but i doubt AT&T will subsidize it. The amount that they would need to subsidize them with a contract to sell them would be much more than they would be able to recoup with the $30 plan. The reason the IPhone works is because it's more than the data plan, it's voice plans, text messaging, family members, etc...The IPad wont have these.
It's called exchange, hot shot. No contract, no subsidy. Simple.
These puppies--WITH 3G--are going to fly off the shelves, so no one's gonna notice your whining.
Umm, yeah, I said that. Did you even read what I wrote? I know they are going to be without a contract - I'm pointing out that they'd sell a lot more of them if they'd subsidize the price and make them the same as the WiFi with a contract. How many people are going to go ahead and spend the extra $180 and NOT buy 3G? Probably not that many so they might as well offer a contracted version - much like what the Aussie telecom is planning on (if you believe the rumors). We've gone over this before and over and over again - what was quite possibly the biggest reason the 2G iPhone didn't sell more? It was freakin' expensive and wasn't subsidized. As soon as Apple started having subsidies the iPhones went crazy.
They may fly off the shelves as you said but people thought the 2G iPhone flew off the shelves until the 3G came out and Apple dropped the price $200 bucks...
WOW. for the first time in my life, I think Apple should make a hell of an update to the iPhone GUI, Microsoft is learning quickly, less is more so People will feel right at home with that phone. I like the idea, and how it shows in the video demo, but it will be really as sharp and fast without bugs as it shows? not bashing just saying... it looks very well done. Apple please stop sleeping and playing with others iPad devices, it's time to work again on the iPhone, hurry up!
I don't need any more 3G radios
This is starting to get stupid.
I already have an AT&T 3G USB dongle for my MacBook Pro to get online. Why can't I use that? Why no USB port on the iPad?
I also already have a 3G radio in my iPhone. When can't I tether that via Bluetooth to the iPad to use the data connection?
Why should I have to pay another monthly fee to turn on a THIRD 3G radio and bombard myself with even more radio energy on a daily basis?
Why, why, why?
This is starting to get stupid.
I already have an AT&T 3G USB dongle for my MacBook Pro to get online. Why can't I use that? Why no USB port on the iPad?
I also already have a 3G radio in my iPhone. When can't I tether that via Bluetooth to the iPad to use the data connection?
Why should I have to pay another monthly fee to turn on a THIRD 3G radio and bombard myself with even more radio energy on a daily basis?
Why, why, why?
In part because an USB port is suppose to supply power. If trying to maximize battery life you don't want other devices bleeding power off your device. On the physical side, going to impact thin objectives if put a "normal" USB socket on the iPad.
If you have multiple devices want to hook to several devices then a MiFi solution would work better. The USB dongle is plugged into the MiFi device and multiple devices can sip the internet over that connection.
Bluetooth is capped at 3 Mbps. You ask same question about buying at 7 Mbps service and then funneling it through a 3 Mbps modem. You can but why.
Given ATT seems to have trouble with traffic they have ... tethering is only going to bring more bandwidth hogs to the table.
Don't have to. Could go MiFi and use the lower cost of the WiFi iPad to pay for it.
AT&T does it now for netbooks. Go to an ATT store (or look on the web if offer the no contract price). The Netbook will list at $499 with no contract. They are $199 with. There is no voice. Depends upon what data contract you get. $29 all you can eat data ..... you're not going to get that. You'll get at $30 data contract with a cap. If you go beserk downloading data you bust the cap and pay through the nose. Only need to do that a couple of times over 3 years for them to make their money back.
Wtf?
Who cares if AT&T carries the iPad. It doesn't make a difference. Aside from the subsidy, have you received on the iPhone? Did anybody get a discount on their iPhone @ the AT&T Store, and just to clarify, within the first 3 months of introduction? Nope, that's what I figured.
Like some one else said, bring on more news on what AT&T are doing to the already congested network news! How is it going to get better?
Who cares if AT&T carries the iPad. It doesn't make a difference. Aside from the subsidy, have you received on the iPhone? Did anybody get a discount on their iPhone @ the AT&T Store, and just to clarify, within the first 3 months of introduction? Nope, that's what I figured.
Like some one else said, bring on more news on what AT&T are doing to the already congested network news! How is it going to get better?
The iPad isn't flying off of any shelves. No one even talked about it for more than a week. When the iPhone was announced, it was talked about non-stop for months. The iPad fizzled away within a week. I've seen polls that said before it was announced, only 26% of people said they had no interest in it. After it was announced, that doubled to 52%. People are extremely disappointed in the iPad and most don't want it and won't buy it. I know i won't even consider it until at LEAST the 2nd generation. If Apple sold them for $150, i wouldn't touch it. They're just not that good. At all.
