And just think of the day when a MiFi device slides into an iPod/iPad like a SIMM card. Piggybacking on a built-in Apple antenna.
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iPad Headed to AT&T and Verizon Retail Stores on October 28th
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Yeah, for the single user scenario, it probably doesn't make much sense. For a family, this might be a nice alternative to avoid purchasing multiple 3G enabled devices with multiple rate plans.
No gps is a bummer, but many folks already have an alternative gps solution ( smart phones and dedicated devices).
I purchased the 3G iPad when it came out, and I would have given this option serious consideration if it had been available.
Why is this inconvenient? Another device to:
- charge
- connect
- configure
- carry
Would you buy a cell phone if you had to buy another device to connect it to the network?
OS X and iOS use a built in service called Core Location, which in turn uses a proprietary service called Skyhook. Skyhook is the Database of wifi hotspots used to triangulate your location.
Core Location can utilize the following if available
- GPS
- Cell Tower Triangulation
- Wifi hotspot triangulation
As far as I am aware, no app can call for services directly from any one of these, but simply make a call to Core Location Services for location based activities.
However, my iOS programming knowledge is dated, and relatively limited in that regard.
So you're saying that Verizon is over 1,000kbps everywhere they have 3G coverage? Their 3G network is yielding over 1,000kbps all over that red map?
That's not the way I understood it. In AT&T's 3G markets, I've understood speeds to be considerably faster than Verizon in the same area. This is typically the major cities extending to the greater suburbs. The farther out-lying areas that essentially flip to AT&T's EDGE network are on par with Verizon's speeds in those areas. The gap is those areas where Verizon has data coverage and AT&T does not. Again, I acknowledge that Verizon has a greater coverage area but is irrelevant if you live in a covered area and don't travel to areas with no coverage.
This is a great move by Apple.
I plan to buy another iPad from AT&T the day they are offered.
I've had such great 3G speeds and reliability from them, that I could not be happier. In the decade or so that I've done business with both AT&T and Verizon, the nod for good customer service goes to AT&T.
I plan to buy another iPad from AT&T the day they are offered.
I've had such great 3G speeds and reliability from them, that I could not be happier. In the decade or so that I've done business with both AT&T and Verizon, the nod for good customer service goes to AT&T.
It is starting to feel like they've got to move the "old" inventory fast for the holiday season because the 2nd gen is coming out not long after the holiday season.
Here..Here...That's why I plan on just putting it in the minivan for the family of iOS devices that make their way into the van with the family. Haha. Rolling hot spot baby!
I personally think the Clear Spot 4G+ is a better deal in general. I think the bump in device price is worth the 4G coverage and 3G fail-over.
well, then it wouldn't be a phone. It'd probably be......an iPad (like device).
I think this is a significant problem. There's only so much bandwidth to be had even with increasing tower speeds. Also, the new system spreads the usage costs based on the users' needs. Light users shouldn't be subsidizing heavy users. With ATT's plan, I'd much rather my $15 / 250MB plan over a $30 unlimited plan because I only use 100MB a month on average, 150MB peak. I'm sorry that sucks for heavy users, but I would much rather save money than subsidize someone else's usage and needless clogging of the airwaves. The gravy train is over.
For RAM, 1GB = 1024MB. For bandwidth, I think it's decimal based.
I doubt though, can the MiFi even make that kind of distinction? There's only so much data to be had, so you might want to be conservative about downloading full-length movies.
Doubtful. Until recently, they had a hard time keeping them in stock.
If that is the case, I'm interested to see what the discounted prices will be for these iPads, once Gen2 are on shelves. Maybe, at a lower price, I'll feel compelled to finally give into the iPad craze. Unless, of course, Gen2 has features that I simply cannot resist.
No approvable app can directly access those functions. Any App that does is quite likely to break with the next iOS update. I was not speaking from the code perspective, but from the perspective of a user that has a wifi only iPad using Core Location. (I was not aware the database was called Skyhook.)
I have not messed around with Core Location for a very long time, but if I remember, you have three levels you can call. The first level uses the least power, but gives you the least accuracy. It only looks at wifi. This level uses the least power and is recommended for use when you can.
The next level uses cell tower triangulation along with wifi. It is quite a bit more accurate, but uses quite a bit more power. The GPS+wifi+cell level is very accurate, but it sucks power fast.
You also have the option of setting your update frequency. If you are doing navigation, you would want to set the update fast. If you are showing weather data, not so much. Slow updating saves quite a bit of power.
If that were the case, they would just slow down manufacturing. As it is, they are making them as fast as they can and selling every one they make.
This is WAY off. Edge data is essentially 75-135Kbps. Nowhere near as fast as Verizon.
And AT&T actually being faster than Verizon in real life usage is only a recent development over the past year. As it has been for a while, AT&T has leapfrogged Verizon for now, Verizon will leapfrog AT&T w/ LTE, and I'm sure AT&T will find a way to leapfrog Verizon again later.
Such is the nature of the technological competition these companies are in. Anybody that harps over how much faster their favorite carrier is will find themselves on the receiving end of the same comments next year. Stupid and pointless argument.
Wow! LMFAO! 1GB of data for a whole month for 20.00!
LOL! Verizon they are price gougers!! That's why i will never go back to Verizon, they nickel and dime you to death and try to push their V-cast on everyone, plus their 3g is alot slower then AT&T's.
I would laugh if those CDMA radios are headed for the iPad and not the iPhone.
LOL! Verizon they are price gougers!! That's why i will never go back to Verizon, they nickel and dime you to death and try to push their V-cast on everyone, plus their 3g is alot slower then AT&T's.
I would laugh if those CDMA radios are headed for the iPad and not the iPhone.
Funny
Now that big red has toe dipped into AAPL world all the haters are coming out of the woodwork. Up to now all you could see on MacRumors was: "Oh gee, I hate AT and T, woe is my iPhone service."
Now they can hate Verizon:
"Oh sob, my data plan sucks."
NO YOU SUCK! Grow up, quit bitch'n and enjoy your toys, you jackwagon!
Now that big red has toe dipped into AAPL world all the haters are coming out of the woodwork. Up to now all you could see on MacRumors was: "Oh gee, I hate AT and T, woe is my iPhone service."
Now they can hate Verizon:
"Oh sob, my data plan sucks."
NO YOU SUCK! Grow up, quit bitch'n and enjoy your toys, you jackwagon!
I'm not exactly sure how that understanding got around, but it's wrong. Everywhere that red map is on is Verizon's RevA 3G. It provides on average around 1000kbps give or take some based on real world conditions. AT&T's 3G, or the blue on the map, does beat Verizon's 3G but as you said it is limited in coverage.
Verizon suckers their users yet again
What kind of sucker would buy an iPad in a Verizon store with MiFi? You don't even need a contract with AT&T to use the 3G iPad on AT&T. And there is sure to be a Verizon 3G version of the iPad in a few months.
I understand Verizon's motivation. They want revenue from iPad sales and data fees. And I understand Apple's motivation. Putting iPads in Verizon stores will stir up huge interest in a Verizon-branded CDMA 3G iPad.
And let's not forget all those strong Verizon iPhone rumors. Just bringing an iPad into Verizon stores will cut into Android handset sales. Verizon is the protected enclave of Verizon handsets (in the US anyway), but Apple has blasted the first cannonball through the castle wall.
But really. Why would you buy an iPad with a MiFi device? Maybe because you get terrible AT&T reception at home and you don't have wi-fi. Or maybe because you get terrible AT&T reception wherever you would want to use your iPad outside your home. And you're also too stupid to realize that a Verizon iPad is just around the corner.
So let's hear it, Verizon apologists. Why should anyone buy a wi-fi iPad with a MiFi?
What kind of sucker would buy an iPad in a Verizon store with MiFi? You don't even need a contract with AT&T to use the 3G iPad on AT&T. And there is sure to be a Verizon 3G version of the iPad in a few months.
I understand Verizon's motivation. They want revenue from iPad sales and data fees. And I understand Apple's motivation. Putting iPads in Verizon stores will stir up huge interest in a Verizon-branded CDMA 3G iPad.
And let's not forget all those strong Verizon iPhone rumors. Just bringing an iPad into Verizon stores will cut into Android handset sales. Verizon is the protected enclave of Verizon handsets (in the US anyway), but Apple has blasted the first cannonball through the castle wall.
But really. Why would you buy an iPad with a MiFi device? Maybe because you get terrible AT&T reception at home and you don't have wi-fi. Or maybe because you get terrible AT&T reception wherever you would want to use your iPad outside your home. And you're also too stupid to realize that a Verizon iPad is just around the corner.
So let's hear it, Verizon apologists. Why should anyone buy a wi-fi iPad with a MiFi?
AT&T charges you $10 a GB on the 2GB plan if you go over so...
AT&T gives you an option for 250MB @ $15.
AT&T gives you an option for 2GB @ $25
At 3GB they are equal @ $35.
At 4GB they are equal @ $45.
Verizon is better at 5GB+ by @ $5.
Hint at future verizon iPhone!!??? I mean if that happens people will stop bitching and it free up AT&T's network so it will be faster!
My intent wasn't to sound snooty nor was it an attempt to educate you. It was more directed at the user stating that they needed GPS for the iPad to know were it was.
I appreciate the extra bits of info in your reply though, I have a similar understanding of Core Location, but wasn't aware that Apple had recommendations based on power consumption. I guess I never really dug into that service far enough to get there. The app I have been playing with building does not require it.
Regards,
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Just a heads up... if you live in or around a big US city, and are thinking about getting the iPad + Verizon MiFi, consider 4G WiMax instead.
Sprint/Clear offer the same thing as the MiFi, but 4G instead of 3G.
Clear iSpot mobile hotspot- $99
Unlimited Data- $25/month. No contract.
6Mbps download cap, 1Mbps upload cap
Personally I find this to be a much better deal than AT&T and Verizons offerings.
Just a heads up... if you live in or around a big US city, and are thinking about getting the iPad + Verizon MiFi, consider 4G WiMax instead.
Sprint/Clear offer the same thing as the MiFi, but 4G instead of 3G.
Clear iSpot mobile hotspot- $99
Unlimited Data- $25/month. No contract.
6Mbps download cap, 1Mbps upload cap
Personally I find this to be a much better deal than AT&T and Verizons offerings.