CES 2015: AT&T Announces 4G LTE Smartcase With MicroSD Slot for Wi-Fi iPads

[MacRumors]

AT&T today announced the upcoming availability of its new Modio smartcase that will add 4G LTE connectivity to a Wi-Fi-only iPad or iPad mini. The Modio smartcase will be compatible with the iPad Air 2, iPad Air, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 2 and iPad mini.

The Modio will allow Wi-Fi iPad owners to connect to AT&T's 4G LTE network using the data available on the customers' Mobile Share plans. Mobile Share allows customers to pay for a monthly data allotment that is shared between smartphones, tablets and other connected devices.

Beyond cellular connectivity, the Modio smartcase also includes its own 4,600 mAh battery to support up to 10 hours of use, along with a microSD card slot that can be used to store up to 32 GB of media and other files. Case owners can install the accompanying AT&T Modio Data application to monitor data usage and manage cellular plan details.

The AT&T Modio smartcase for iPad mini is listed on AT&T's website as coming soon, with a version for larger iPad Air models to follow. Pricing and exact launch dates for the new cases has yet to be announced.

Article Link: CES 2015: AT&T Announces 4G LTE Smartcase With MicroSD Slot for Wi-Fi iPads

 

[marco114]

Seems like it could use more functionality, like a keyboard.

 

[Z400Racer37]

It's um.. Massive... And really gaudy lol###

 

[malexandria]

Darn, Nice Concept

I already have a 128 GB ATT iPad (and ATT LTE sucks), so this is kind of pointless for me. But I really like this idea, throw in a surface like Keyboard as part of this and its a 100% winner.

 

[Mascots]

Good idea.

Poorly Executed.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

How many devices are able to connect to it at a time?

 

[ChrisCW11]

If Apple is serious about iPad productivity

Then they need to do something like what Samsung did for the Tab Pro tablet:

http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/galaxy-tab-accessories/EJ-CT800UAEGUJ

This effectively turns the 10.5" tab pro into a laptop.

Apple has to start actually thinking about what it means to be "productive" and not just assume people want a larger tablet = productivity. Relying on 3rd parties to add the features to increase iPad productivity will result in a mishmash of disjoint add-ons that will cripple iPad's mobility in lieu of Apple simply not designing proper productivity accessories for the iPad.

The fact Apple has not created their own keyboard/case for the iPad speaks volumes of how far off Apple is in terms of understanding what it means to bring productivity to a tablet.

 

[hlfway2anywhere]

it'll probably also cost $10/month for the connection fee.

 

[ScubaCinci]

Or you can get a hot spot or use your phone as a hot spot. Who wants to carry around that monster? Might as well have a laptop at that point.

 

[coolfactor]

Then they need to do something like what Samsung did for the Tab Pro tablet:

http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/galaxy-tab-accessories/EJ-CT800UAEGUJ

This effectively turns the 10.5" tab pro into a laptop.

Apple has to start actually thinking about what it means to be "productive" and not just assume people want a larger tablet = productivity. Relying on 3rd parties to add the features to increase iPad productivity will result in a mishmash of disjoint add-ons that will cripple iPad's mobility in lieu of Apple simply not designing proper productivity accessories for the iPad.

The fact Apple has not created their own keyboard/case for the iPad speaks volumes of how far off Apple is in terms of understanding what it means to bring productivity to a tablet.

The most clueless post that I've read this week. But you are forgiven.

Apple created the MFi program to support a healthy ecosystem of third-party accessories that they then place their stamp of approval on. There's plenty of keyboards available for the iPad if you want one today.

While it would be *nice* for Apple to officially have their own full lineup of every possible accessory, it's unrealistic.

 

[jlake02]

it'll probably also cost $10/month for the connection fee.

I was thinking the same thing. Absurd to charge each month to use the data you've already paid for. That's the deal breaker for me. I'll just use my phone's hotspot.

 

[BCWorld]

Hmmmm very interesting... I'm listening...

 

[Jessica Lares]

Augh! I LOVE the idea because it solves my issue of only having a 16GB iPad Mini with the MicroSD, and then the 4G.

But yeah, I use a keyboard case, and like it too much to look elsewhere. No, Apple doesn't need to make one.

 

[840quadra]

Then they need to do something like what Samsung did for the Tab Pro tablet:

http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/galaxy-tab-accessories/EJ-CT800UAEGUJ

This effectively turns the 10.5" tab pro into a laptop.

Apple has to start actually thinking about what it means to be "productive" and not just assume people want a larger tablet = productivity. Relying on 3rd parties to add the features to increase iPad productivity will result in a mishmash of disjoint add-ons that will cripple iPad's mobility in lieu of Apple simply not designing proper productivity accessories for the iPad.

The fact Apple has not created their own keyboard/case for the iPad speaks volumes of how far off Apple is in terms of understanding what it means to bring productivity to a tablet.

First off, the topic is regarding an LTE Smartcase, not a keyboard case. This is AT&T offering an additional connectivity option for iPad owners. This adds to the existing LTE iPads, & tethering options for people who share wifi hotspots from their existing phones.

Additionally, there are plenty keyboard cases available for the iPad line, in addition to a multitude of really good BlueTooth keyboards. I am not sure what Apple would gain from branding their own, as there are plenty of good options in the wild, many likely cheaper than Apple would price theirs at.

One of the many examples

 

[jrcsh6]

If free with a contract of some sort it could be cool. as long as it's 100 or less it could be a good option for some people.

 

[thekeyring]

Apple has to start actually thinking about what it means to be "productive" and not just assume people want a larger tablet = productivity.

I think someone at Apple probably does know this.

 

[vartanarsen]

why this when i can just tether from my iPhone?

 

[hlfway2anywhere]

why this when i can just tether from my iPhone?

i never use hotspot, assuming it would destroy my battery life on my iPhone. I liked having an LTE iPad because it ran off of its own power.

 

[Traverse]

This is actually a very interesting idea! Not everyone owns a smartphone and maybe they have a wifi iPad. Personally, I my phones mobile hotspot, but still.

 

[Jessica Lares]

why this when i can just tether from my iPhone?

If I'm in the middle of nowhere, I'd rather use my iPad by itself than drain my phone's battery. Especially if I'm sitting outside for a couple of hours.

It's fine to tether for a little bit, especially when you're around a charger, but I wouldn't do that on a trip, especially when I'm not going to be checking into a hotel or whatever.

Obviously a car charger is nice to have. The problem is when you're not the only person that needs to use it.

 

[kupkakez]

why this when i can just tether from my iPhone?

In case you don't want to drain your iPhone battery tethering.

 

[2457282]

Or you can get a hot spot or use your phone as a hot spot. Who wants to carry around that monster? Might as well have a laptop at that point.

why this when i can just tether from my iPhone?

I went through the decision tree when buying my 2 iPad Air 2's. Since both my wife and I have iphones we agreed to get the iPad as wireless and tether to the phone if we are ever in a spot that does not have wifi. Saved a few hundred buck when buying the iPads and save 30 bucks a month in the connection fees from AT&T. Overall, we are very happy with our decision.

 

[007p]

T
Apple has to start actually thinking about what it means to be "productive" and not just assume people want a larger tablet = productivity.

Hang on...where's the proof of this? The iPad is still miles away from being 'productive'. Sure the Air 2 has amazing specs, but its still being held back by the blown up iPhone OS. They haven't added anything unique to the iPad OS to take advantage of those specs yet.

And "and not just assume people want a larger tablet = productivity"? So all the rumors of the iPad Pro/iPad Air Plus? What about just releasing two bigger iPhones? Did that have nothing to do with productivity?

 

[vjim]

Potential Hotspot?!

Could this be a potential mobile hotspot? With my Unlimited iPad data plan, I can pop in the sim into this case or log in with my credentials and effectively turn it into a hotspot! This solves my problem of jailbreaking my ipad to turn it into a hotspot!

 

[friedmud]

I'm interested. I have a wifi iPad air and I'm on ATT with a family share plan. I usually just use tethering (the new instant hotspot feature in ios8 is pretty awesome) - and it really doesn't use up that much battery (with an iPhone 6+ it has plenty of battery to spare and in my experience it saves battery to keep the iPhone screen off and use it as a hotspot rather than using the iPhone directly).

However, I travel quite a lot and on a longer journey this could be useful. We'll just have to see what the price is...