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Cellular-Capable Retina iPad Mini Models Begin Trickling Into U.S. Apple Retail Stores

The iPad mini with Retina display Wi-Fi + Cellular for AT&T 64GB - Space Gray
are available at the Stonebriar Store in TX. This is the same one I ordered online about 30 minutes after it went on sell but was not available for store pickup! Come on! I'll wait though.
 
Minutes ago, just ordered a 64GB Space Grey from Sprint at Somerset, MI. Will pick it up on the way home from work. First thing will be to pop out the Sprint chip and insert the TMobile chip I have waiting at home. Looking forward to it as my 3rd Gen replacement.
 
128gb Tmobile in Philly

Just managed to reserve white/silver 128gb T-Mobile Philly store, pick up today :)
 
Are these mobile enabled for network data only or actually capable of making mobile calls with a normal mobile number? If you have a real mobile number then I might consider getting one of these instead of an iPhone 6. Too big?
 
patent10021 said:
Are these mobile enabled for network data only or actually capable of making mobile calls with a normal mobile number? If you have a real mobile number then I might consider getting one of these instead of an iPhone 6. Too big?
Click to expand...
Not possible, unfortunately. You could do VOIP calls via Skype, Google, etc... But you'd need a headset or Bluetooth headset for any sort of privacy, as there is no ear speaker (which would look odd holding up a mini to your face anyway).

EDIT: To conclude, there is technically a number tied to it, I think, but it's data only.
 
I saw that the Apple store near me in Chicago (Lincoln Park) had the silver 64GB AT&T one I'm after, so I just placed an order to pick it up today. I had one ordered yesterday and wasn't expecting it to ship for 5-10 business days (ETA Nov 26 - Dec 4), but it flipped status to prepared for shipment sometime today and I couldn't cancel it. I spoke to a really nice service rep that has the shipment marked for return to Apple, so I should just get rerouted to an Apple warehouse. I'm off to pick it up now. :)
 
KylePowers said:
Not possible, unfortunately. You could do VOIP calls via Skype, Google, etc... But you'd need a headset or Bluetooth headset for any sort of privacy, as there is no ear speaker (which would look odd holding up a mini to your face anyway).

EDIT: To conclude, there is technically a number tied to it, I think, but it's data only.
Click to expand...

Right, but for someone that doesn't need much voice calling, VOIP on iPad mini is a GREAT way to go. Earbuds plus mic, VOIP app and you can set yourself up with AT&T $25 1GB for 3 months plan and potentially have a fairly good "cell phone" experience on AT&T LTE for $100/year. If like me, you can get most of your streaming done on wifi, that 1GB is not hard to stretch out. Pretty good voice in and out, unlimited texting, mobile internet: $100/yr.
 
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KylePowers said:
Not possible, unfortunately. You could do VOIP calls via Skype, Google, etc... But you'd need a headset or Bluetooth headset for any sort of privacy, as there is no ear speaker (which would look odd holding up a mini to your face anyway).

EDIT: To conclude, there is technically a number tied to it, I think, but it's data only.
Click to expand...
Yeah that's what I'm doing with my Japanese iPhone in Canada. It's become an iPod with Line and FaceTime. Works well. Don't pay for cellular. Wifi is everywhere too.

It's too bad these companies don't allow us to use say for example an existing phone number on contract to use with whatever iDevice we want.
 
iPad mini availability grid

Availability of cellular iPad minis is definitely limited. Have built this availability grid based on user requests to our iDevice notification tool.

http://www.seaturtle.org/idevice/ipad_mini_grid.shtml

Also very interesting pattern of no requests for Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon in certain states.

PS - give it a few seconds to load. The grid is huge!
 

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Still none at San Francisco

As of late afternoon, Weds. - still not a single one at the San Francisco "flagship" store.

Perhaps this is punishment for making Apple change the plans for their new store (which was originally suppose to destroy a recently-deceased local artist's water fountain sculpture), but after local public fury, they backed off and said that they would design the building around it.
 
IN STOCK in SF

LTE models IN STOCK in SF. Or at least some models were momentarily until they sold out.

Just got my pickup notification. Going to get it now!
 
Xenomorph said:
If you're serious about using an iPad, the Cellular one is the only one to bother with, in my opinion.

Why? Simply because it includes Assisted GPS. The WiFi-only model does not.

That means, without having ANY data connection, you can take the Cellular iPad out into the middle of no where and still use it as a Turn by Turn GPS device (provided you have offline maps already downloaded).
Click to expand...

"Serious about using an iPad" = Using it as a GPS device in the middle of nowhere?? Interesting...
 
Mufasa804 said:
Just bought my 64GB Retina iPad Mini with T-Mobile!!!! Going to go pick it up today after work :D
Click to expand...

I found the same one in Chicago at the Lincoln Park store. Unfortunately, I'm out of town today. Hopefully they'll hold it until tomorrow when I can actually pick it up (I went ahead and ordered it). I won't cancel my online order until then.
 
Xenomorph said:
If you're serious about using an iPad, the Cellular one is the only one to bother with, in my opinion.

Why? Simply because it includes Assisted GPS. The WiFi-only model does not.

That means, without having ANY data connection, you can take the Cellular iPad out into the middle of no where and still use it as a Turn by Turn GPS device (provided you have offline maps already downloaded).
Click to expand...

That has got to be the most bizarrely niche "serious" use of an iPad that I've ever heard of. Why would you possibly prefer an infinitely more breakable iPad for use in the middle of nowhere over an iPhone? The only reason I can think of would be battery life, but it seems to me that it'd be more efficient and easier to carry a spare battery.

Maybe I've just been doing it wrong with my cell-enabled iPads that I've owned -- I got my first one to be a mobile browsing and communication device, and my LTE one to use as a mobile hotspot and laptop replacement for writing and reading. I never realized that I was supposed to be pre-downloading maps and using it for directions in the wild.
 
Xenomorph said:
If you're serious about using an iPad, the Cellular one is the only one to bother with, in my opinion.

Why? Simply because it includes Assisted GPS. The WiFi-only model does not.

That means, without having ANY data connection, you can take the Cellular iPad out into the middle of no where and still use it as a Turn by Turn GPS device (provided you have offline maps already downloaded).
Click to expand...

So like the cell phone we all have...:rolleyes:
 
sharbeen said:
gladly apple online store UAE released iPad air and Retina Mini silently :) Ordering one soon. Still no news from retail store here.
Click to expand...

Just have in mind that any iPad or iPhone purchased through the official Apple store UAE or through Etisalat/Du/Virgin Megastore will not have FACETIME.
 
marioguarneros said:
Just have in mind that any iPad or iPhone purchased through the official Apple store UAE or through Etisalat/Du/Virgin Megastore will not have FACETIME.
Click to expand...

Yup I know that. It's ok. Weirdly etisalat isn't allowing me to facetime. Though du does. but I like in RAK so no Du fixed line internet. My friend ordered from hongkong Apple Online Store he got it a day back total cost including Aramex Shop and Ship came to 2846 AED. But for me ATM facetime is not an issue.
 
Picked up a Sprint 64GB LTE Black Mini yesterday at the Pentagon City Apple Store after ordering it online (happy accident that I was looking), then swapped in my AT&T sim. Working perfectly, screen is so much nicer than my original mini - and the smart case is very, very nice.
 
sharbeen said:
Yup I know that. It's ok. Weirdly etisalat isn't allowing me to facetime. Though du does. but I like in RAK so no Du fixed line internet. My friend ordered from hongkong Apple Online Store he got it a day back total cost including Aramex Shop and Ship came to 2846 AED. But for me ATM facetime is not an issue.
Click to expand...

Cool, my Apple devices are from the UK (got the tax back :p )and I haven't had any issue using FaceTime with Du and Etisalat in Dubai.

Does your friend have a Hong Kong credit card? I use Shop and Ship for ordering photography gear but no Apple stuff as my US Account asks for a valid credit card in the US.
 
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