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Do you ever use 3G on your 3G iPad?
- Thread starter OSMac
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Verizon charges for this service, 20 a month. I would rather not have to dig out my phone, then my iPad, connect them, all just so I can use my iPad on the go.
All the freakin' time. Unless you're fairly sure that you're only going to keep the wifi version at home, period, it makes sense to get 3g. If you don't use it, fine.
I thought I was just going to surf at home, the office and starbucks, but it is just too darned convenient to email, text, or look something up online anywhere.
I thought I was just going to surf at home, the office and starbucks, but it is just too darned convenient to email, text, or look something up online anywhere.
Tethering on Verizon is an extra $20/month I believe I've read; thats what AT&T does and Verizon is no better than ATT for nickel and diming every feature. No voice calls while using data on the ipad with that solution either on VZW.
A Mifi on Verizon is $35 a month for 3GB data, plus cost of the device. Compare to $25/month for the iPad 2GB data or $15/mo for 200MB (or is it 250MB, I confuse the AT&T plans). Plus thats another device to keep up with and keep charged.
Using GPS on your iphone is fine... but doesn't help much for location based apps on the ipad or an application with local map data like Navfree. The iphone can stand in, but the GPS functionality is useful on the ipad. Urbanspoon when you're on business travel and trying to figure out a decent place for dinner is easier to work with on ipad than iphone.
Anyway, my point is that I wouldn't say 3G is irrelevant. It's useful for those who have a need for it. There are certainly workarounds such as tethering or using a third device; but they are just that, workarounds for when you actively want to make the data connection. With a 3G ipad you have a persistant data connection for email or other notifications. Whether that is worth the added cost to you is a different question.
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Have turned off the cellular data connection on my iPhone and only have a wifi iPad.
Wifi at Home, Wifi at work and Wifi all over the town I live in.
Hell I can even run WoW on the free wifi link the town has from my apartment.
Don't even know why I pay for an 8mb connection at my home.
Wifi at Home, Wifi at work and Wifi all over the town I live in.
Hell I can even run WoW on the free wifi link the town has from my apartment.
Don't even know why I pay for an 8mb connection at my home.
Jealous eh?
As for those saying an iPad is great for business travel blah blah blah, and it's much easier to use than an iPhone for finding somewhere to eat...believe it or not, I have a means of communication called speech. It's free, and we all have it built-in (whether it works or not in some cases is up for debate). I can just ask somebody, or call somebody...do that on your iPad in the street without looking like an idiot on Skype.
Fact is, a phone has the data plan, and everything else shares it. The argument about "it's just another device to keep charged" is total garbage because most people have a phone with them wherever they go. This is certainly NOT the case with the iPad, where they mostly stay at home unless you are a poser.
Rubbish my iPad is my book reader, I used to read books out when drinking coffee now I use my iPad this does not make me a poser it just means i have incorporated the iPad into my routine....
That was regarding a MiFi, which would be a third device to keep up with. Perhaps that part wasn't clear.
Do what works for you and makes you happy. Posting what you find works and doesn't work for your usage is great; it helps others figure out options that will work for them. Derogatory/judgmental remarks regarding other people's usage or choices such as "nobody in their right mind" or "unless you are a poser" aren't particularly constructive.
In an ideal world a single device such as the phone would be the network tie-in point for any ancillary devices such as an ipad and a single data subscription would be shared by all devices. Unfortunately that's not necessarily the cheapest or best option in all parts of the world at this time due to carrier policies/restrictions.
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I use it all the time...
It especially came in handy when I was snowed in at my relatives' house over Christmas and while they have computers, they have no wireless network.
I look at 3G capability as an insurance policy.
It especially came in handy when I was snowed in at my relatives' house over Christmas and while they have computers, they have no wireless network.
I look at 3G capability as an insurance policy.
I use it for 3g probably every day for 80% of the day.
What amazes me is how some people don't seem to get that what works for them may not work for others....it makes me chuckle seeing somehow use the iPad one way yet get angry or annoyed if someone else isn't the same way. How insecure are some of you all? Good grief, grow up.
My work has no Wifi so I use my iPad during work quite often for private emails, work emails, maybe a little Pandora music, News Apps, etc....
I come across the 2gb cap just about every month which enrages me just about...every month. I am somehow an "abuser" by using the iPad every day. How dare I!
What amazes me is how some people don't seem to get that what works for them may not work for others....it makes me chuckle seeing somehow use the iPad one way yet get angry or annoyed if someone else isn't the same way. How insecure are some of you all? Good grief, grow up.
My work has no Wifi so I use my iPad during work quite often for private emails, work emails, maybe a little Pandora music, News Apps, etc....
I come across the 2gb cap just about every month which enrages me just about...every month. I am somehow an "abuser" by using the iPad every day. How dare I!
I've used it once on mine. Was a life saver on vacation trip last year to family members that don't have wifi. It's been off ever since that though, nice to know I have it if I ever want or need it.
There is really not to much of a need for it where I live. Home/work/friends/family and most all places I visit have wifi... But, it nice to be able to pay for it as I need it.
There is really not to much of a need for it where I live. Home/work/friends/family and most all places I visit have wifi... But, it nice to be able to pay for it as I need it.
I use it anytime I am not at home or in the office as I am connected to wireless then. I have a 2GB data plan and use between 1.5 and 2GB every month.
I used it the first month I had my iPad and again during my vacation. That's it, 2 months worth in 10 months. I'm still debating with myself if it was worth the extra $150. I don't know if I'll get 3G on my next one but I love that I can turn it on or off.
Every single day that I use it.
I know everyone has different needs, but I cannot IMAGINE having iPad WITHOUT 3G. It's absolutely necessary to me. Every time. Every day.
I know everyone has different needs, but I cannot IMAGINE having iPad WITHOUT 3G. It's absolutely necessary to me. Every time. Every day.
Simple
You plan to leave your house, then 3g will be used.
If you only plan to use it indoors then no 3g is not needed.
obviously this changes for some people, but basic rule of thumb I'd say.
I def use the 3g, for directions while im driving, the co-pilot has a nice screen to give me directions, for the kid in the back seat to play a game on the way to the beach, for the wife to leave me alone while she is riding next to me in the car, on the metro or subway.
You plan to leave your house, then 3g will be used.
If you only plan to use it indoors then no 3g is not needed.
obviously this changes for some people, but basic rule of thumb I'd say.
I def use the 3g, for directions while im driving, the co-pilot has a nice screen to give me directions, for the kid in the back seat to play a game on the way to the beach, for the wife to leave me alone while she is riding next to me in the car, on the metro or subway.
Honestly, I'm surprised how little I use the 3g, and many months cancel my subscription. When I'm in-town, I'm usually using it at home, the office, at a clients, or a cafe - all usually have wireless. I make sure the 3g account when I travel for business, but even then I use it less than I thought. If the extra $180+ a year feels like it hurts, you can definitely live with the wifi only. In fact, I wish I had purchased the larger hard drive instead.