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iPad 3G chock full of AT&T restrictions!

Eso said:
You do realize that people who live in the USA actually take vacations in the USA, right? So yeah, chances are he will be on AT&T on vacation and won't be paying roaming charges.
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My wife and I made a pact years ago to only vacation here in the states...let's keep our money right here.

Also, those of you with wifi only, you've pretty much lost the functionality of location based services
 
Travisimo said:
I can fully justify the premium price for the 3G iPad. One must remember, however, that 3G technology is going to be more restrictive than WIFI, and it's not a WIFI replacement, rather a compliment. Here's my experience so far along with further reasons why it made sense to me to get the 3G:

- Air Video works great! It takes longer for a movie to start, but once it does, the video quality is actually very good. I have my entire DVD collection on my iMac and I can watch them on my iPad in the car or wherever I am.

- Netflix reduces the quality of the videos over 3G but it's still very watchable. You can't expect the same quality of streaming video over 3G as you get over wifi, restrictions notwithstanding. However, Netflix too is very watchable and will be nice to have when WIFI is not available.

- Browsing the web is nearly as fast on 3G as it is on WIFI, at least in my area (Quad Cities IL/IA). The only difference really is a bit more latency. This is alone is a good reason to choose the 3G version for someone who needs web browsing on the go.

- Having a GPS chip means you can use any application with location-based services, even when not on WIFI. The most obvious use will be maps and turn by turn, but there are also other types of applications that use location services. You may get location services with the WIFI version, but ONLY when you are on WIFI - there is no GPS chip on the WIFI version.

- Battery life is stellar on the iPad, even with 3G service, so it makes more sense than using another device (tethering or 3G cards). If you have an iPhone, you have to pay $30/mp for data service on that, so why pay another $60/mo for something like MIFI unless you plan on using it with more than just the iPhone and iPad? Tethering would be great, but at least the ipad's data plan has no cap.

- It makes no sense why the ABC app is restricted to WIFI when other streaming apps are not (Netflix, Air Video). My only guess is that ABC did not implement an adaptive streaming feature that will adjust the quality based on congestion. I believe that is one requirement for streaming apps over AT&T's 3G network, so perhaps they will release an update for the app if they are able to meet those requirements?

- All in all, most of the so-called "restrictions" you guys mentioned are not so much restrictions by Apple or AT&T but rather simple differences between WIFI and 3G data service in general. I believe the advantages of having 3G access when you NEED is definitely good reason to go for the 3G iPad, especially considering you get a GPS chip as well, and NO contract to sign. Over time, the extra $130 will be moot.
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Excellent post!
 
MigsVuitton said:
WTF would you want to download a 30mb file on 3G!? Use common sense. 3G doesn't mean "like wifi"

People thinking they could get HD quality video off a 3G network need a reality check.

My Mac pro with 12GB of ram on a 32mbps connection has hiccups playing 720p YouTube videos. What do you expect on and iPad on 3G service?!?

So ABC player doesn't work off 3G... Blasphemy. A month ago, you didn't even know ABC player existed.

Stop complaining and enjoy life.
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Most people are getting comparable speeds between 3G and wifi.

Therefore it's perfectly reasonable to expect to do the same things over either connection. ;)
 
With any two comparable devices, there will be and in-group who love the device and an out-group who prefer the other device. This is no different. It's a total preference thing.

No need to have a mob mentality because you paid less or because you have a 3G radio. At the end of the day, it isn't your money and no two people have the exact same media needs.

So embrace difference, especially when it's practically the same device, albeit 3G is more convenient. :p
 
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_1_3 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7E18 Safari/528.16)

iSingandiDance said:
With any two comparable devices, there will be and in-group who love the device and an out-group who prefer the other device. This is no different. It's a total preference thing.

No need to have a mob mentality because you paid less or because you have a 3G radio. At the end of the day, it isn't your money and no two people have the exact same media needs.

So embrace difference, especially when it's practically the same device, albeit 3G is more convenient. :p
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Haha, I see what you did there, sneaking that last bit in :D
 
iPad through Sprint 4G Overdrive - 5.2mbps download (Portland, OR)

Nice :), may I ask what the others get you there (wifi, att 3g etc)
 
I'm so glad I didn't wait for the 3G version! My nexus one via tmobile doesn't downscale anything and streams everything just like wifi and at most times I can't even tell the difference in speed vs a wifi! :)
 
Travisimo said:
I can fully justify the premium price for the 3G iPad. One must remember, however, that 3G technology is going to be more restrictive than WIFI, and it's not a WIFI replacement, rather a compliment. Here's my experience so far along with further reasons why it made sense to me to get the 3G:

- Air Video works great! It takes longer for a movie to start, but once it does, the video quality is actually very good. I have my entire DVD collection on my iMac and I can watch them on my iPad in the car or wherever I am.

- Netflix reduces the quality of the videos over 3G but it's still very watchable. You can't expect the same quality of streaming video over 3G as you get over wifi, restrictions notwithstanding. However, Netflix too is very watchable and will be nice to have when WIFI is not available.

- Browsing the web is nearly as fast on 3G as it is on WIFI, at least in my area (Quad Cities IL/IA). The only difference really is a bit more latency. This is alone is a good reason to choose the 3G version for someone who needs web browsing on the go.

- Having a GPS chip means you can use any application with location-based services, even when not on WIFI. The most obvious use will be maps and turn by turn, but there are also other types of applications that use location services. You may get location services with the WIFI version, but ONLY when you are on WIFI - there is no GPS chip on the WIFI version.

- Battery life is stellar on the iPad, even with 3G service, so it makes more sense than using another device (tethering or 3G cards). If you have an iPhone, you have to pay $30/mp for data service on that, so why pay another $60/mo for something like MIFI unless you plan on using it with more than just the iPhone and iPad? Tethering would be great, but at least the ipad's data plan has no cap.

- It makes no sense why the ABC app is restricted to WIFI when other streaming apps are not (Netflix, Air Video). My only guess is that ABC did not implement an adaptive streaming feature that will adjust the quality based on congestion. I believe that is one requirement for streaming apps over AT&T's 3G network, so perhaps they will release an update for the app if they are able to meet those requirements?

- All in all, most of the so-called "restrictions" you guys mentioned are not so much restrictions by Apple or AT&T but rather simple differences between WIFI and 3G data service in general. I believe the advantages of having 3G access when you NEED is definitely good reason to go for the 3G iPad, especially considering you get a GPS chip as well, and NO contract to sign. Over time, the extra $130 will be moot.
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I think for $30 a month there should be no restrictions whatsoever. IMHO I think tethering 3G from the service your already paying for is the best option. No restrictions at all, works just as fast as wifi and no need to pay an additional $30 a month. As for gps it's already built into my nexus one google maps with turn by turn navigation and iPhones google maps.
 
IF they let everyone download HD video over 3G...you might as well not even buy a 3G iPad (or phone for that matter). AT&T's network would just completely crash and you would not be able to do anything on it anyway.
 
barefeats said:
iPad through Sprint 4G Overdrive - 5.2mbps download (Portland, OR)
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Yeah at $60 / month + 2 year contract + remember to charge it + take two devices vs one (three if you need the charger). Not worth it for me.

I can download my video to the iPad when I'm going on vacation and use ATT for email and news and save $720 over the 2 year timeframe.
 
Ok, maybe there is a good compromise. Have apps and sites recognize the iPad as an iPad, and have better video, and larger file download size availability. Not looking for HD, or downloading 2gb files, just want some added flexibility for the larger iPad screen.
 
3G works fine for what my parents need and in fact it's the only service they need so the unlimited plan will save them money, and honestly after trying it myself I too may go 100% 3G, actually I will go 4G myfi.

Look, it all depends on your personal needs, for some people watching youtube, ABC or needing to download huge files, then sure 3G is not going to be the best.

Also it depends on your location, some of us are getting really good consistent connections.
 
Activated this morning and very happy with the 3G. Now i just need to convince my wife that she needs to keep the Wifi version :)
 
gtsipad said:
My wife and I made a pact years ago to only vacation here in the states...let's keep our money right here.

Also, those of you with wifi only, you've pretty much lost the functionality of location based services
Click to expand...

Having had the Wifi for about a month, I can see most of the location stuff works fine. The wifi only model uses the location via hotspots (skyhook) and it is remarkably accurate. The Wifi only version showed me spot on at home as well as my office.
 
Don't know if this has been mentioned here yet, but I read somewhere that ABC Player is wifi-only because the television broadcast rights for wifi and 3g are different. It's not because they care about AT&T's network.
 
The restrictions are ridiculous.

Here is my speedtest on my wifi iPad tethered to my iPhone 3Gs.

IMG_0008.PNG


Note that the previous tests were done using my iPhone 3G, which seems to be much slower every time.

This goes to show that if these sorts of speeds are available from 3G - WHY IMPOSE RESTRICTIONS? The only legitimate answer is because AT&T's network is not up to par in some areas.

Forget AT&T and their 3G iPad offerings, I'll use the 3G off of one of my 3 iPhones that I pay for, thank you very much :)
 
More connection options

Clear.com

3G/4G Clear Spot

$40.00/month no contract

Sprint = Reseller of Clear network

HTC EVO 3G/4G phone mobile hotspot due June

Jailbreak
 
CarboysDesire said:
Don't cry for me, Argentina!

When I will be outside of a wifi range I really doubt I need to stream ABC or download anything big. Basically I'll be surfing and using other essential features like e-mail and such. And I can surely do all that with the 250MB plan. I can watch my own videos and movies without streaming.

I am happy as a clam right now! :)
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Same here once I have a chance to set my iPad 3G up... tough weekend at work ... and want a clear mind to enjoy it (yes, folks that have seen my other postings on my waffling about my iPad wifi and the iPad 3G - decided to bite the bullet. Even if it means a restock fee.)

iRobertM said:
Can we please not turn this is to a battle of the iPad versions. Everyone should be happy for one another REGARDLESS of their choice. Coming on here and saying "I am SO glad I did not buy the 3G!" is not very nice at all really. All you are trying to do is make people feel bad about their choice. We all have iPads, thats a good thing, who cares if someone got a different version.
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Just the nature of some folks on the net it seems LOL

richpjr said:
You weren't the only one. With all the complaints about the AT&T network with iPhones, adding media heavy content devices like the iPad was certainly not going to help the bandwidth issues. I actually was expecting this, and mainly got the 3G for the same things Chip did.
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Thanks, and I had not even thought about bandwidth issues by allowing mega content.

Spankey said:
Whoa..This is really bad. I'm a wi-fi'er and would be really pissed right now. Zinio magazines are around 30mb in size. So this means, if I was on vacation somwhere with no wi-fi and wanted to download a magazine, I couldn' over AT&T. Just wow...
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Was in a situation years ago before the iPhone and the iPad - had a cell phone that gave me email. Was on vacation, but work needed a file I had corrected ASAP. So I drove to the nearest cafe with wifi and up loaded the file.
 
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