I hadn't really paid much attention to it lately as someone so rudely pointed out, but when they did advertise it as "unlimited" a couple years ago, it actually wasn't, it had the 5GB cap per month. Hence why it is no longer advertised as unlimited, due to the ensuing controversy.
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Verizon Viewing iPad as Opportunity to Push MiFi Service
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I hadn't really paid much attention to it lately as someone so rudely pointed out, but when they did advertise it as "unlimited" a couple years ago, it actually wasn't, it had the 5GB cap per month. Hence why it is no longer advertised as unlimited, due to the ensuing controversy.
i agree that it wouldn't suck for VZW customers to finally be able to get a piece of the apple pie so to speak but remember the iPad plan is 30 a month and is month to month, no contract. Also the most important factor is that Verizon's EVDO-Rev. A is such a joke its ridiculous. I worked for them for nearly two years and now work for ATT and must say that Verizon's constant bragging about amazing their network is has to be the biggest crock. Daily customers came in to complain about how slow their service is and they expected more because when they were with ATT it was faster. So while it would be cool to have some VZW customers get the iPad, they should not expect to get great service with their mifi....speaking of which the mifi has to constantly be rebooted even if the settings are changed to never power off/enter standby. Also the service is capped at 5gb and is twice the price and you have to sign a contract to receive a discount on the mifi other wise its 200........and another device to carry around......
I agree completely. My wife has an iPhone, I'm stuck with Verizon (work). AT&T's 3G is far faster than Verizon's EVDO-rev A around here, despite our Verizon sales rep's assurances that "it's the same 3G as everyone else's.
Verizon is STUPID to push their MiFi service for the iPad. It has no appeal as opposed to the $30/month AT&T plan on the 3G iPad. Reason being is that you'd have to carry two devices (iPad and MiFi), have slower 3G service, and not to mention be chained to a two year contract.
If you went with a $499 16GB WiFi iPad (used with a MiFi) over the $629 16GB 3G iPad (used with AT&T's plan) and got a MiFi for free (with two-year activation), you would break even after the first four and a half months of continuous service for both devices.. not to mention the hassle of carrying around both devices.
And before I'm excoriated, yes, I know you could potentially use a MiFi with other devices and not just have it dedicated to a WiFi iPad. While this may be true, it's not going to replace your home internet (simply because 5GB won't do for one month, and because you'd be crazy to not connect to your home WiFi network, meaning you'd already have a connection at home), and if you plan to carry an iPad, laptop, MiFi, cell phone, etc, then you're in for a world of hurt because then you've got redundant devices.
Personally, I'll be getting the $499 16GB WiFi iPad (assuming I get one), and tethering it to my iPhone via MyWi. AT&T and Verizon can both suck it.
If you went with a $499 16GB WiFi iPad (used with a MiFi) over the $629 16GB 3G iPad (used with AT&T's plan) and got a MiFi for free (with two-year activation), you would break even after the first four and a half months of continuous service for both devices.. not to mention the hassle of carrying around both devices.
And before I'm excoriated, yes, I know you could potentially use a MiFi with other devices and not just have it dedicated to a WiFi iPad. While this may be true, it's not going to replace your home internet (simply because 5GB won't do for one month, and because you'd be crazy to not connect to your home WiFi network, meaning you'd already have a connection at home), and if you plan to carry an iPad, laptop, MiFi, cell phone, etc, then you're in for a world of hurt because then you've got redundant devices.
Personally, I'll be getting the $499 16GB WiFi iPad (assuming I get one), and tethering it to my iPhone via MyWi. AT&T and Verizon can both suck it.
Sure it has appeal, and it's already been outlined in this thread. For $60 you get a device that works with any wifi device including your iPad, iPod touch, MacBook, as well as allowing 4 other people to connect to it as well. The iPad doesn't do this.
Unfortunately with the 5GB it limits its appeal greatly.
You're right the iPad doesn't do that... until someone figures out how to JB it. Then you end up with MiFi functionality w/o a contract.
It's funny, the second Apple announced the two different versions of the device, I was already looking at Verizon and Sprint's different Mi-Fi-like devices to work out if they would be cheaper.
Sprint's Overdrive is $100, can access their WiMax network, acts as a wireless hotspot and allows you to use upto 16GB SD cards as networked storage. That sounded aces to me, till I realised their "unlimited" data plan would set me back $60/month versus $30/month for the AT&T data plan.
If they and Verizon can lower the subscription charges, they're onto a winner.
Sprint's Overdrive is $100, can access their WiMax network, acts as a wireless hotspot and allows you to use upto 16GB SD cards as networked storage. That sounded aces to me, till I realised their "unlimited" data plan would set me back $60/month versus $30/month for the AT&T data plan.
If they and Verizon can lower the subscription charges, they're onto a winner.
No, Verizon. Go away.
I had HORRIBLE experience with Verizon service. And their customer service was crap as well.
They caused me to switch to AT&T, which is much better.
If Apple goes Verizon on the iPhone and/or iPad, I will be switching to Android.
I had HORRIBLE experience with Verizon service. And their customer service was crap as well.
They caused me to switch to AT&T, which is much better.
If Apple goes Verizon on the iPhone and/or iPad, I will be switching to Android.
I think it's where you live.... I had the EXACT same experience with AT&T, which forced me to move to Verizon, and i haven't found a better service than big red. I just want an iPhone! maybe this is the beginning to slowly bringing them over...
Well yeah, the same can be said for any of these types of devices if you crack it, but I wasn't really referring to that, because it is my preference not to JB anything.
My experience is the same with Verizon, I can't stand them. I have to walk outside to use the damn work phone. However as Nick says below, it's most definitely about where you live.
With mobile phone networks, you'll inevitably get an endless stream of conflicting anecdotal evidence as to which carrier sucks the most.
I'd buy a MiFi or something similar *IF* I could get it without a contract. I'd like to be able to use it with my Eye-Fi card as well as the iPad & my MacBook when I don't have WiFi coverage.
One place it would come in really handy is if you have multiple devices you want to connect to the network and the WiFi provider (like most hotels) only allows one device.
One place it would come in really handy is if you have multiple devices you want to connect to the network and the WiFi provider (like most hotels) only allows one device.
Help me out here folks, I have no idea what the heck MiFi is, and don't really need to know, BUT I already have a Verizon Broad Band card I pay for monthly, and LOVE IT, it ROCKS, I get high speed Internet everywhere I go, it never stalls, works on the highway (wife driving) I always have a signal, and have had it since day one, I'm not even under contract any more.
QUESTION: will this thing work on the iPad??? If so, I'll just get the iPad WiFi version and be good to go???
By the way, my Broad Band card is UNLIMITED USE - for a flat fee, so I'm confused by a lot of these comments. Service is always great and coverage rocks. AT&T on the other hand SUCKS, my iPhone calls drop DAILY, even in airports and malls and AT&T has horrible coverage and seems to have no towers anywhere. Verizon has solid coverage all over the globe. (I travel all over the world cities and country verizon coverage is always steady and strong and iPhone/AT&T is always BAD) Just FYI.
That's why the thought of being able to use my VERIZON broad band card on the iPad would be a DREAM - I wouldn't give a DIME for AT&T on an iPad!
QUESTION: will this thing work on the iPad??? If so, I'll just get the iPad WiFi version and be good to go???
By the way, my Broad Band card is UNLIMITED USE - for a flat fee, so I'm confused by a lot of these comments. Service is always great and coverage rocks. AT&T on the other hand SUCKS, my iPhone calls drop DAILY, even in airports and malls and AT&T has horrible coverage and seems to have no towers anywhere. Verizon has solid coverage all over the globe. (I travel all over the world cities and country verizon coverage is always steady and strong and iPhone/AT&T is always BAD) Just FYI.
That's why the thought of being able to use my VERIZON broad band card on the iPad would be a DREAM - I wouldn't give a DIME for AT&T on an iPad!
I got one from VZW in December without a contract --- I haven't checked to see if that option is still available.
I just got my Ipad thanks to the info published in these forums, however I was looking for internet service to connect on the road to and I wanted to go with Verizon sorry AT&T but Verizon has coverage everywhere, I found a great deal for Verizon and its even called Verizon49,
I got my data card and service from http://3gstore.com/lease
Here is the kicker 3gstore.com offered me the data service with no contract no credit checks, and on the Verizon Wireless Network for $49.99 that is lower than buying from Verizon itself, It's one of the lowest price out in the market and now I am able to connect, Oh yeah....
I got my data card and service from http://3gstore.com/lease
Here is the kicker 3gstore.com offered me the data service with no contract no credit checks, and on the Verizon Wireless Network for $49.99 that is lower than buying from Verizon itself, It's one of the lowest price out in the market and now I am able to connect, Oh yeah....
yeah, but the average consumer isn't that picky
they'll say "oooh, Internet access from ANYWHERE plus a free device??? Sign me up"
they'll say "oooh, Internet access from ANYWHERE plus a free device??? Sign me up"
I too have an old unlimited data VZ mobile broadband plan for my laptop. I think I signed up for it 3 or 4 years old before VZ even had usage limits.
I transferred my VZ mobile broadband plan from my laptop to a MiFi device. Since I had been on the VZ plan for over two years, they sent me the MiFi hardware for free. I just needed to commit for another 2 years.
I think this option only makes sense for people who can grandfather in the unlimited plan and will be using MiFi for more than just the iPad.
FWIW, AT&T coverage is significantly better in my area (Boston North Shore) than VZ, but I've been to other parts on the country (NYC, SFO) where my VZ broadband signal on my laptop was better than my iPhone.