Mosspuppet Rumor Madness: iTablet to be iPhone’s “Foleo” with Permanent 3G Tether?
Mosspuppet passed along a rumor that says Apple is not going to provide 3G radio for the iTablet/iSlate, but rather make it automagically, and persistently tethered to an iPhone, harkening back to Palm’s legendary Foleo device — that never shipped.
Sure, Mosspuppet is a… well, a puppet, and likely only has access to the plush version of Apple’s upcoming tablet, but the humor to this rumor has us thinking — it’s totally the kind of crazy, maddening move that would drive consumers out of their minds and get the tech press shouting “why?!” from every post.
And AT&T would love it, given how they haven’t even gotten iPhone tethering up and running and it’s, what, 2010 now or something?
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I’m liking this tablet less and less every day.
Actually, provide me with wifi (pref. N) and you’re welcome to run the 3G through my iPhone, esp. if that isn’t another data plan to pay for! It would seem limiting to the sales potential, though, to restrict the device substantially to iPhone/AT&T customers, and given Apple’s skill with “gateway devices” enticing you into the fold, I’m not sure they’d do that. Or maybe this is precisely how they intend to get more iPhone clients. In any case, I doubt that my service with AT&T is going to improve, esp. given their revealed lack of investment in infrastructure!
Very possible. I would live it as a AT&T customer to purchase this thing and be able to port my 3g through my phone to the tablet. Provides incentive to buy, incentive to stay with AT&T. AT&T could probably get Away with charging an extra fee, not to large, for the increased data access. Ya, this has some possibility and would provide tethering in a way that AT&T and apple could milk it for all it’s worth.
I would love for this to be true. I think to be fair you should be able to purchase a data plan, BUT if you are a proud iPhone owner it can automatically share it’s data plan.
This seems completely unfair. If I own a tablet, I can tether it to my iPhone, but if i own a Macbook, I can’t?
I’ve wondered about whether or not Apple would do this. It seems like one of the few ways to sell millions of a brand new form factor.
Compare these costs: $800 + $0 per month additional (with iPhone) $800 + $60 per month (separate standard data-only plan) $800 + $40 per month (made up data-only plan for Tablet)
Which of these will sell millions of units in the first year?
None of the above, because it is a large 10.1 inch easy to broke glass screen based tablet that cost $800 and is only a bridge between a smartphone and a laptop, both of which is cheaper and the laptop is more functional.
If this device works well as an e-reader and iTunes starts dealing in books then I’m game. I already purhase music, movies, and movie rentals through iTunes. E-books would be a welcome addition.
I’ve been holding off on an ereader for hoping the mythical tablet will soon become reality.
It will be a Verizon CDMA tether.
I’d get a little giddy at the prospect of a tethering device for my iphone. We (our four networked devices) struggle in our country home at the end of a Qwest provided DSL line. I’d drop that DSL in an instant if I knew I could depend on 3G tethering from two separate streams (2 iphones). Since we are at the end of the DSL line, our signal strength is weak and throughput is often less than 3G.
Of course first we need 3G coverage on this part of the county. … Details …
Sounds good to me.
@Jtz5 – Yes, you can tether ur MacBook with ur iPhone! Been doing it for many months via USB and Bluetooth on my Pro. I’m still on 3.0 so it’s really simple, but I’m not sure how easy it is on other FW.
Forget it. If AT&T can’t even get tethering working like everyone else in the world, then why would do it now. I don’t want a Foleo, I want a free standing iTablet without the tethering.
Unicorns are funny things.
Here’s an idea. Why don’t we judge a device AFTER we know what it can or cannot do, m’kay?
@Vinny-
can you tell me how you do it? I am not jailbroken or unlocked.
Thanks!
NO, NO NO!! Apple can’t be that STUPID. They need to do just the opposite. Provide a 3-4G radio in the iTablet that customers can use to sign up with a data plan from whomever, then use the iPhone or iPod Touch with it vis VoIP. THAT’s what makes sense, and gets around any exclusivity deals that exist for the iPhone. (Don’t make that mistake twice!) Besides which, tethering with AT&T will only hog-tie users tighter than we already are. Better yet, use the iTablet like a trackphone – pay as you go data-plans.
My initial thoughts are that this wouldn’t be that bad. New products rarely have everything the consumer’s imagination can come up with included. I’m not sure if you’re aware of this, but Apple isn’t building with Legos over there. There are technology/money limitations in developing a new product. not to mention data infrastructure. You guys crack me up sometimes.
Plus, I phone my iPhone so I’m all set
Potential for an epic fight.