iPad & Verizon

[skijay]

I am buying my mom an iPad for Christmas instead of a book reader. I think she will get more use out of it and she is already comfortable using Safari on a Mac.

I was going to buy a wi-fi version and I saw that Verizon carries the iPad now. I did not think that they had a 3G version of it for VZ. I checked VZ's web site and it looks like you have to buy the mi-fi device to use the iPad through verizon. In other words the iPad is just wi-fi and you are connecting via wi-fi to the mi-fi which is 3G broadband.

Why would I want to buy the iPad at VZ instead of the $499 wi-fi sold at Apple? Am I missing something that VZ offers?

 

[meff]

If you buy the iPad at VZ you get a cheaper data plan on the mifi, thats about it. On the flip side the mifi probably locks into a 2 year contract where a 3G iPad is month to month.

 

[smitty77]

If you buy the iPad at VZ you get a cheaper data plan on the mifi, thats about it. On the flip side the mifi probably locks into a 2 year contract where a 3G iPad is month to month.

Another bonus for the MyFi is the ability to share the connection among other devices. I don't know if this is an option with the "straight" 3g iPad from Apple.

My home access runs off of a VZ 3g PCMCIA card plugged into an EvDo router. Speed is acceptable with 3 computers doing basic internet browsing. I take it with me on vacation and can get the 'net anywhere I get a signal. So if she has more than 1 PC or other wi-fi devices, she could potentially fulfill all of her internet needs with that one MyFi device. I'll be super stoked when VZ rolls out the 4g in my area in another 4 or 5 years.

 

[dmc]

Another bonus for the MyFi is the ability to share the connection among other devices. I don't know if this is an option with the "straight" 3g iPad from Apple.

It's called "tethering" - AT&T doesn't allow it. I think most Droids can do it - IPhone is setup to do it but AT&T won't allow it....

 

[darent]

It's called "tethering" - AT&T doesn't allow it. I think most Droids can do it - IPhone is setup to do it but AT&T won't allow it....

I'm not a tec head ,please explain further,because my wife wants a colorreader and I was thinking I pad, which would be the best choice? thanks DMC

 

[smitty77]

I'm not a tec head ,please explain further,because my wife wants a colorreader and I was thinking I pad, which would be the best choice? thanks DMC

I know you asked DMC, but I'll throw my $0.02 in anyway....

My wife has a black and white Nook from Barnes and Noble and LOVES it! They are releasing a color version shortly (maybe already have). The screen is very easy on the eyes in all kinds of light conditions, even in bright sunlight where the tablets get washed out. We went with the Wi-Fi only, but they also sell a 3g/wi-fi version for a bit more, but no monthly fee for the 3g service as it is built-in to the cost. We just didn't feel the need for the 3g.

If she wants JUST a reader, I would go with the Nook or the Kindle. You can web-surf on the Nook, but it still needs some refinement as the touch pad is only 25% of the screen. Sony has a new version of their reader out now with a full touch pad but I don't know much about those.

 

[Geoff]

It's called "tethering" - AT&T doesn't allow it. I think most Droids can do it - IPhone is setup to do it but AT&T won't allow it....

Verizon will let you tether but they charge bucket loads per month extra for the feature.

Personally, I'm not going to buy new Verizon iron until they have LTE devices. They're rolling out LTE now. All the major airports and chunks of the 40 largest metro areas will be lit up over the next few months. It will pretty much be as fast as my home broadband connection.

 

[smitty77]

Verizon will let you tether but they charge bucket loads per month extra for the feature.

I assume that's just for the Droid. I thought the MyFi was marketed specifically as a tether device. (???) The only reason I ask is because I just read an article in PC world where they compared the price one pays for all of the "extras" like tethering with multiple devices, shared data plans, etc. when it probably makes sense to plop the $50 a month on a MyFi and use your devices in WiFi mode whenever possible. As carriers move away from unlimited data plans this will become more attractive even if it requires you to carry yet another device around. But I'm getting this thread a bit off topic.

 

[mlctvt]

Verizon will let you tether but they charge bucket loads per month extra for the feature.

Don't tell Verizon you're tethering and they won't charge you.
Just us one of the free tethering software programs like pdanet. It works great and verizon can't see that you're tethering. You're just using data time.

This only works for one device though. If you want to use your Droid as a mobile hotspot then they will charge you buckets per month.

 

[bvibert]

Verizon will let you tether but they charge bucket loads per month extra for the feature.

Depends on the device. My wife's Palm Pre Plus can be used as a mobile hot spot for no extra charge.

 

[Geoff]

Don't tell Verizon you're tethering and they won't charge you.
Just us one of the free tethering software programs like pdanet. It works great and verizon can't see that you're tethering. You're just using data time.

This only works for one device though. If you want to use your Droid as a mobile hotspot then they will charge you buckets per month.

I'm on a Crackberry. Verizon controls the software. I haven't taken the time to figure out how to hack it. The company pays the bill so I don't particularly care that I'm getting gouged.

 

[Glenn]

I know there's a way to tether a BlackBerry, I never looked into it much though.

The BlackBerry Playbook is coming out early next year. Its a 7" screen, so a bit smaller than the iPad. The big plus though is it will easily tether with your existing Blackberry. So you won't need a separate SIM card and data plan to use it outside of WiFi.