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iPad 2 Locked Status - Apple's Wording
- Thread starter OSMac
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It is going to be provider locked. It's a sad day when even Apple finally bowed down to the wireless cartels in the US.
As for those that still hopeful, stop. If the 3G iPad 2 is unlocked, Apple would have said so, and Steve Jobs would have said so in the announcement. Fact is, none of those happened. As for those that think it's refers to GSM vs CDMA, take a look at the wording for the iPhone 4 for the US. It's similar, and US iPhone 4 is provider locked.
As for those that still hopeful, stop. If the 3G iPad 2 is unlocked, Apple would have said so, and Steve Jobs would have said so in the announcement. Fact is, none of those happened. As for those that think it's refers to GSM vs CDMA, take a look at the wording for the iPhone 4 for the US. It's similar, and US iPhone 4 is provider locked.
What do you mean about google stopped selling unlocked phones? They sold the Nexus One unlocked last year and now sell the Nexus S unlocked.
"WTF does anyone.." You sound like there's something wrong with having a 3G model. I know a few people who have iPads and its simply because they don't have a large data plan on their smartphone (they dont all have iPhones), and its a very big convenience when they are very mobile with their iPad.. Also very convenient that you can enable and disable it month to month as you need. Another reason - in Canada and other countries, you can get a 2nd sim connected to your account that lets you share data from your main account.
I don't think this will be the case. With the iPhone 3G/3GS initially they included a sim card in the phones for rogers/fido. But once Bell and Telus launched their network and got the 3GS, they started separating the sim card from the phone. This is huge when it comes to the supply chain and being able to dynamically allot stock to different areas/carriers as needed.
I'm not saying they won't lock the iPad to the carrier, but having the sim card in the iPad already will mean 24 models in total for Canada (2 colour choices, 3 storage choice, 4 configs [wifi,bell,telus,rogers]). That's extremely inefficient for logistics and retail. Let alone that some other carriers let give you microsim for iPad use (Virgin Mobile).
I really think we need to wait and have confirmation of what Apple is doing.
But why would Apple at this point feel they have to bow down to the carriers? Do you think a carrier would threaten Apple not to support their product? It would be suicide for them not to.
The more I read into the wording for the Canadian site the more it seems like its just a rushed copy of apple.com and not necessarily accurate.
From Apple Canada http://www.apple.com/ca/ipad/features/
From Apple Canada http://www.apple.com/ca/ipad/3g/
From Apple US http://www.apple.com/ipad/3g/
^For the '3G' pages on each site, they're identical except that they replaced the carrier names from the US to the ones in Canada. It simply could be they just used the same pages and swapped out the names without even bothering about wording.
For Canada anyway, I think its too early to make judgement that the iPad will be locked. Heck, we don't even know what the price will be yet.
From Apple Canada http://www.apple.com/ca/ipad/features/
^Clearly incorrect
From Apple Canada http://www.apple.com/ca/ipad/3g/
From Apple US http://www.apple.com/ipad/3g/
^For the '3G' pages on each site, they're identical except that they replaced the carrier names from the US to the ones in Canada. It simply could be they just used the same pages and swapped out the names without even bothering about wording.
For Canada anyway, I think its too early to make judgement that the iPad will be locked. Heck, we don't even know what the price will be yet.
I don't know. I mean for example, to this date, Apple still doesn't sell unlocked iPhones in the US, despite the AT&T exclusivity deal has been over already. Why? You would think Apple would want more people buying iPhones, but fact remains US iPhones are provider locked. I don't get it either, but obviously Apple is not as commanding over the wireless cartels as we thought.
As for the iPad 2, so far there is no indication that it is going to be unlocked in the US. There's no language saying that from the announcement not the website. In contrast, Steve Jobs clearly stated the unlocked status of the 1st gen iPad during its keynote, but not during the iPad 2 keynote.
For the iPhone in the US, it simply could be that the exclusivity ended recently and that the iPhone 5 will be available unlocked. In Canada the 3G and 3GS when launched only had Rogers available, and buying full price at apple you would still get a locked iPhone. Half way through the iPhone 3GS cycle Telus and Bell launched a new network and started carrying the 3GS as well. At the next iPhone launch (iPhone 4) it was then that the iPhone was available unlocked when purchased at full price from Apple. Maybe this summer it will change in the US.
The iPad 2 is a bit more worrisome with the wording.. but I'd be hopeful that its simply to create a clear message for consumers so they know they are choosing either a GSM/AT&T or CDMA/Verizon model. 6 more days anyhow..
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It is locked to AT&T. Some people have called Apple, and they are told that the US 3G iPad is provider locked and being advised to only use wifi when going out of the country.hey
can please any one advise me that is the ipad 2 locked in US to at&t as i want it to work in UK. as i want to get 32gb wifi +3g ipad 2.
thanxx
http://www.apple.com/uk/ipad/3g/
UK iPad 2 is unlocked, and Apple's site has this language: "To enable 3G service on your iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G, you need a micro-SIM card and a data plan. A number of carriers offer no-contract data plans for iPad, and you can activate 3G service anytime after installing the micro-SIM card; some plans can even be activated right on the iPad."
You don't see this language anywhere in the US Apple site. So it is locked.
In the U.S. the Verizon iPad isn't compatible with the AT&T iPad and vice-versa so you do need to choose your carrier before buying your iPad. Plus the Verizon iPad doesn't even use micro-SIMs. So no, that doesn't mean the iPad is locked.
You said "Some people have called Apple, and they are told that the US 3G iPad is provider locked and being advised to only use wifi when going out of the country." Again, link?
Those are anecdotal comments. I don't think they carry as much weight as what Apple have said on their own website. Fact is, Apple has that language on the UK site, yet none on the US site. It's not just about AT&T vs Verizon, Apple and Steve Jobs openly and specifically stated the unlocked status on the iPad 1 3G, but they don't do that for the iPad 2 3G. Apple's language on the US site for the iPad 2 3G is the same as the iPhone 4, where it is provider-locked.
The notion that Steve Jobs had to declared the iPad 2 to be unlocked again is absurd, just like you don't hear him say previous versions of iPhones were locked other than the first version. It is understood.
Someone is reading too much into this. I remembered reading about some rumors last year that the 3G model of the iPad sold in the US was tuned to the GSM frequency spectrum of ATT and therefore it was not compatible with the rest of the world's GSM frequencies. And we all now know the answer to that.
The iPad 2 is unlocked, unless stated otherwise by Steve. It's understood. This is classic Macrumorian paranoia once again.
Someone is reading too much into this. I remembered reading about some rumors last year that the 3G model of the iPad sold in the US was tuned to the GSM frequency spectrum of ATT and therefore it was not compatible with the rest of the world's GSM frequencies. And we all now know the answer to that.
The iPad 2 is unlocked, unless stated otherwise by Steve. It's understood. This is classic Macrumorian paranoia once again.
Not that I ever really put too much weight behind what phone based or online chat customer service reps say but I chatted with one from the apple store's online help section to ask about the iPad. As you can see from the copied chat transcript below I think we may have to wait until either Apple comes out to agree/disagree about this or someone buys one on release day and tests with another sim. The 'apple expert' contradicted himself throughout, stating that BOTH the iPad is locked to ATT (my current provider so I was asking about this not the CDMA variant) but also that I could switch with a local sim card and that it 'would function the same way it does in the original iPad' That clears it up obviously
Again I don't think this disproves or proves anything... I think it just shows we're going to have to wait and see unless Apple comes out and makes it clear publicly...
• You are chatting with Darren R, an Apple Expert
• Hi, my name is Darren R. Welcome to Apple!
• How may I help you with your shopping in the Apple Online Store?
• Hi, I was looking around the apple site as I'm interested in ordering an iPad 2 next week when they were available. I was looking at the 3G (GSM) variant and had a question
• I would be happy to answer your questions today!
• I travel fairly frequently out of the country and I would be interested in switching out the micro sim for a local provider that would allow me to have a data plan in a foreign country. This is what I have done previously with my current iPad and I wanted to make sure that I'll be able to do the same with the new version
• Give me just a moment to read over this information.
• I ask this question because of the wording on the iPad 2 information page... http://www.apple.com/ipad/3g/ - it says: If you decide on an iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G, be sure to select the model that corresponds with the carrier you’d like to use for 3G service. The iPad model you purchase is specially configured to work with either AT&T or Verizon — not both. So while you don’t have to activate 3G service right away, you should choose your iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G according to the carrier you prefer.
• As long as you can find 3G service to a Micro Sim device, you should be set!
• that wording looks as if it says that the 3g is limited specifically to the carrier originally chosen (as in the iPad is locked to a specific carrier) or is this information implying that you simply can't use a GSM and CDMA device and network interchangeably (ie ATT ipad on verizon or verizon iPad on Att...)
• It is locked to AT&T, however, if you are able to find 3G coverage in the area you visit you can use the 3G data for that region.
• but why would a device being sold at full price (with no subsidy from carrier such as the current way cellphones are sold in exchange for multi year contracts) why would a device that is being sold at full price not be able to use any sim card that I choose. I live in another country 6 months a year and it would be impossible to pay ATTs rates of 20/mb if I can't choose a local provider and use their sim
• I am very sorry about that, but I do not have that information. I would check to see if you can use the areas 3G service before you visit that country.
• However, I do completely understand your concern.
• I know I can use the providers 3g... I have and currently am using with my original iPad... my question relates to if this new iPad can also perform the same function as my current iPad because the language and wording regarding 3G service remains unclear on the product page
• That is correct. That would not change per model.
• is there a way (or someone I can talk to) to figure out if I will be able to use other sims (outside of the US) and if so how could I find that out/who would I need to talk to...
• However, I am not sure how the iPad for Verizon would work as that is a CDMA device.
• I'm not a verizon customer and not interested in using a CDMA based 3G ipad... I'm more curious about the GSM variant because I can change the sim (which I do currently with the original iPad) and just need to confirm before I order a $829 device to be sure it can work in the way I need it to
• so would a supervisor or someone else be able to confirm that i can use other providers micro sims to use 3G service outside of the US, from a local provider?
• Yes, that will work the same as it does on the Original iPad.
That clears it up obviouslyAgain I don't think this disproves or proves anything... I think it just shows we're going to have to wait and see unless Apple comes out and makes it clear publicly...
• You are chatting with Darren R, an Apple Expert
• Hi, my name is Darren R. Welcome to Apple!
• How may I help you with your shopping in the Apple Online Store?
• Hi, I was looking around the apple site as I'm interested in ordering an iPad 2 next week when they were available. I was looking at the 3G (GSM) variant and had a question
• I would be happy to answer your questions today!
• I travel fairly frequently out of the country and I would be interested in switching out the micro sim for a local provider that would allow me to have a data plan in a foreign country. This is what I have done previously with my current iPad and I wanted to make sure that I'll be able to do the same with the new version
• Give me just a moment to read over this information.
• I ask this question because of the wording on the iPad 2 information page... http://www.apple.com/ipad/3g/ - it says: If you decide on an iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G, be sure to select the model that corresponds with the carrier you’d like to use for 3G service. The iPad model you purchase is specially configured to work with either AT&T or Verizon — not both. So while you don’t have to activate 3G service right away, you should choose your iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G according to the carrier you prefer.
• As long as you can find 3G service to a Micro Sim device, you should be set!
• that wording looks as if it says that the 3g is limited specifically to the carrier originally chosen (as in the iPad is locked to a specific carrier) or is this information implying that you simply can't use a GSM and CDMA device and network interchangeably (ie ATT ipad on verizon or verizon iPad on Att...)
• It is locked to AT&T, however, if you are able to find 3G coverage in the area you visit you can use the 3G data for that region.
• but why would a device being sold at full price (with no subsidy from carrier such as the current way cellphones are sold in exchange for multi year contracts) why would a device that is being sold at full price not be able to use any sim card that I choose. I live in another country 6 months a year and it would be impossible to pay ATTs rates of 20/mb if I can't choose a local provider and use their sim
• I am very sorry about that, but I do not have that information. I would check to see if you can use the areas 3G service before you visit that country.
• However, I do completely understand your concern.
• I know I can use the providers 3g... I have and currently am using with my original iPad... my question relates to if this new iPad can also perform the same function as my current iPad because the language and wording regarding 3G service remains unclear on the product page
• That is correct. That would not change per model.
• is there a way (or someone I can talk to) to figure out if I will be able to use other sims (outside of the US) and if so how could I find that out/who would I need to talk to...
• However, I am not sure how the iPad for Verizon would work as that is a CDMA device.
• I'm not a verizon customer and not interested in using a CDMA based 3G ipad... I'm more curious about the GSM variant because I can change the sim (which I do currently with the original iPad) and just need to confirm before I order a $829 device to be sure it can work in the way I need it to
• so would a supervisor or someone else be able to confirm that i can use other providers micro sims to use 3G service outside of the US, from a local provider?
• Yes, that will work the same as it does on the Original iPad.
It's not paranoia, it's called realistic expectation. Apple never indicates during any of their iPhone announcements (even the first one) whether it's provider-locked or not, and it is for the US. So in this case, we can only assume the US iPad 2 3G is also going to be provider-locked as Apple didn't say otherwise. Again, read the language they used to describe the 3G connectivity on the US site vs the UK site, and for the US iPhone 4.
I dont think that you can take UK wording and the gsm vs cdma wording on US to confirm that the iPad2 is locked.
If anything, I would guess it would follow the same model as the original iPad. If something was changing, then I'd expect Jobs to say something.
The more you read the 3G info online, it seems like we're really reading too much into things. Apple simply is trying to inform consumers about AT&T vs Verizon and that one iPad 3G will not work on the other. Even reading through ivandr's post and conversation with the rep (who most likely just follows what he sees on Apple.com), its weird to even ask about it. No where does it say or even mention closely that the iPad will be locked to AT&T.
I'm really not worried about this. I can wait until friday to see what happens. Or maybe someone can email Steve and get confirmation lol.
The iPad is not carrier subsidized hence it cannot be locked. There is no mandatory provision by law in the US for iPad's class of device to be locked to any carrier, neither is it locked in any countries beside Japan currently, which is locked only because of governmental mandate.
The wording in the Appls US Online is a comparison between ATT and Verizon models which shouldn't be taken out of context, since both utilizes different cellular technology. It is a precautionary measure to ensure consumers do not mistaken the either model will work on the other.
If you read the paragraph properly, it says "specially configured to ATT or Verizon". We know the iPad 3G models that was sold last year came with an ATT sim card, which was specially configured for immediate 3G subscription from the iPad. This is what it means by "specially configured". I don't get a sim card when i bought mine, and I had to subscribe to a data plan before I can get a sim card from my carrier. An iPad specially configured to ATT will not work for Verizon and vise versa. Read the paragraph within the contextual boundary of ATT and Verizon.
Like I said, classic Macrumorian paranoia.
The wording in the Appls US Online is a comparison between ATT and Verizon models which shouldn't be taken out of context, since both utilizes different cellular technology. It is a precautionary measure to ensure consumers do not mistaken the either model will work on the other.
If you read the paragraph properly, it says "specially configured to ATT or Verizon". We know the iPad 3G models that was sold last year came with an ATT sim card, which was specially configured for immediate 3G subscription from the iPad. This is what it means by "specially configured". I don't get a sim card when i bought mine, and I had to subscribe to a data plan before I can get a sim card from my carrier. An iPad specially configured to ATT will not work for Verizon and vise versa. Read the paragraph within the contextual boundary of ATT and Verizon.
Like I said, classic Macrumorian paranoia.
I agree. I think a lot of the confusion came up when the same wording was used on apple Canada regarding 3 GSM carriers.
There are such things as phones (and other mobile devices) with both UMTS and CMDA 2000/EV.DO radios in them.
The Blackberry Storm is an example of such a device.
It wouldn't surprise me if they did this in the iPad 2 because they would be able to run everything on the same assembly line
The Blackberry Storm is an example of such a device.
It wouldn't surprise me if they did this in the iPad 2 because they would be able to run everything on the same assembly line
Tethering
I have the iPad, and an iPhone 4' and I use iPhone as a hotspot consistently using Mywi 4.0. What's interesting is that someone trying to use their Droid as a hotspot for their laptop actually asked to use mine, because his was really slow and kept dropping. I am also with AT&T.
Go Figure.
I have the iPad, and an iPhone 4' and I use iPhone as a hotspot consistently using Mywi 4.0. What's interesting is that someone trying to use their Droid as a hotspot for their laptop actually asked to use mine, because his was really slow and kept dropping. I am also with AT&T.
Go Figure.
That is an assumption on your end. However, the truth is the wording on the U.S. site is ambiguous because Verizon and ATT use different technologies and the chip inside the iPad 2 is not dual-mode GSM/CDMA. So of course U.S. customers have to choose either ATT or Verizon.
However, Apple's U.S. site only says it works w/ ATT, not that it ONLY works with ATT. And it seems there is not clear confirmation either way. Some Apple CSRs say yes, some say no. That tells me there is no corporate memo and no one really knows, they are just interpreting and inferring like everyone else.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the first iPad 3G locked to AT&T as well?
Nope. It was always unlocked.
Well its not like you could use it on TMobile. So in what sense was it unlocked? I mean, all the plans offered were through AT&T. I'm just confused over the uproar around this when I don't really see the difference.