Verizon Wants to Sell You Data for Your iPad... via MiFi
Verizon is looking to turn no-iPad 3G lemons in iPad Wi-Fi + MiFi lemonade by craftily counter-programming the official AT&T data plans with their own potent portable internet and router combo, says Engadget.
You'll save $130 off the price of the iPad 3G, but a 5GB Verizon MiFi plan will run you $60 vs. "unlimited" AT&T data for $30. Then again, you can use the MiFi for more than one device (and more than one at a time).
So, is Verizon's plan a good one? Would you consider iPad Wi-Fi + Verizon MiFi on April 3rd rather than iPad 3G on AT&T in late April?
Editor-in-Chief of iMore, Executive Producer at Mobile Nations, co-host of Iterate and ZEN and TECH, cook, grappler, photon wrangler. Follow him on Twitter @reneritchie
| Tweet |
|
|
Leave a Reply
Note: Comments must be civil, respectful, and on-topic. If a comment does not add to the conversation, if it contains spam advertising, or inappropriate language or content, it will be removed. Insulting the topic, author, staff, site, network, or other commenters will result in the comment being marked as spam and potential prevent future comments from appearing on the site. Do not post as a business or your comment will likely be confused with spam. Comments containing links may be held for moderation. Relax, enjoy, and share in the discussion.
Smart move from Verizon but who will pay 60 when they can get more usage from 30 dollar plan?
People that aren't willing or can't afford the 3G iPad up front. It's clever of Verizon. And some people will do it. I know people doing the same thing just for the iPhone. But 3G is alot better deal. Especially if the iPad uses as much data as the iPhone. Which of course it will.
Very smart move. I'm a VZW customer, have a MiFi and an iPod. No ATT service in my area (the commercials are accurate). I have a Droid and carry my iPod for music (only because of the storage space and seamlessness with iTunes) and the quickly reducing occasion there's an app for iPhone/iPod that I can't get for Android.
I'd definitely do it.
now correct me if im wrong but, isn't at&ts "unlimited" data capped at 5gb? im from canada, so i could be wrong, but this is what i have read in the past.
VZW's math doesnt exactly add up
(24 months * $60 VZW mifi) - 130 savings on WIFI model= $1310 over 2 years for the WIFI only model on VZW mifi
(24 months * $30 ATT data) + $130 for 3G model= $850 over 2 years for the service on the more expensive 3G model with ATT service.
Thats almost a $460 difference. You can almost buy another 16gb WIFI-only iPad for that much!!!
Yes, for people in non-3G ATT areas it may be appealing, but dont forget the ATT data plan is month to month no contract, so it could be even cheaper than $850 if you dont want data every month of the 2 years.
Sheesh! You use IE???
Actually sorry, the difference is $590 enough for a 16gb WIFI model alone
well, I can do a ipad, macbook pro, and an Iphone at the same time with a Mifi for 60 bucks. Vs paying 30 for the ipad, 60 for the internet. so if you are already using it, yeah it saves you money.
This is stupid, only idiots would fall for this. Verizon wants you to pay twice as much for the service, be roped into a contract, not to mention verizon has slower 3G, AND mifi only lasts for 4 hours of use so there's another gadget for you to charge.... You save a ton of money buying the 3G ipad. If you're in a good service area for AT&T you should never consider this.
Oh man!! I'm so going to do this!
*Sarcasm for the comment above.
I agree with Adam and Kimsu19. Verizon is just trying to get a hand in the apple/AT&T cake. I'm going with the 32gb wifi. As i'm already paying for the iPhone data plan. Also I would never go back to big red plus they have very poor service where I live. My girl has a BB with them dropped calls and slow 3g galore.
I already have an iphone and a mifi and I've been bouncing the math in my head for weeks. It gets even more complicated because I'm debating canceling my mifi device ($175 cancellation fee) to switch to an ipad on 3G. Considering that I have only 1 year left on my verizon contract, that brings the difference between the two options to about $125!!
So the question really is which is more useful? Having a wifi connection I can use for multiple devices or 3G just on the ipad? Right now, I own the mifi because I don't get internet access at work, so I use it a TON on my laptop in the office. I'm not sure the ipad will fill that void.
The other consideration is how will we use the ipad? The iphone is small enough that you pull it out anywhere, between locations, so having a ubiquitous internet connection is crucial. But if you have wifi at home, wifi at the office, then 90% of the places you'll use the ipad you're already covered. The ipad is so large, you're unlikely to whip it out on a street corner and try to use it, and it's a little unweildy for using in the car, the iphone is actually more useful for small tasks in the car.
I keep vacillating, any input would be helpful...
John, just jailbreak your iPhone and get The Mywi app from Cydia/Rock and your all set. You can turn your iPhone into your very own wifi hotspot and just piggyback the iPad on your already unlimited data plan. Enjoy
It's just an attempt to persuade consumers already interested in a second mobile data plan to choose the existing option. There is no reason why in the future both types of plans wouldn't be able to coexist as services offered by the same cellular provider. IMO, it's like when Arby's advertises its roast beef sandwiches as a substitute for a hamburger -- very few people are going to be swayed if they already have definite constraints around what they require. But you could have a situation like those Taco Bell-KFC hybrid restaurants, which sell both tacos and fried chicken. In that sense, AT&T and Verizon are like Pepsi and Coca-Cola.
Anyway, both plans are based on charging more for more data access and less for less data access. MiFi has an inherent advantage for self-employed people, small businesses, and families. The iPad's data plan isn't really a "plan" at all; it's just a convenience, and people have the option to add access to that convenience at a cost. Most users would have wifi at home and at work; if you go on vacation, you spend $15 for a month of wifi hotspot (Starbucks/airport) access plus some cellular data, or $30 for 3G (if available). It's not much different than paying for internet access while traveling for most adults.
The fact that the iPad's 3G modem is an option that costs money is where Verizon tries to get the hooks in. But the other alternatives would be worse, like making every iPad user pay for a 3G modem, even if they don't have 3G coverage.
I think it's important to remember that using the MiFi with the WiFi iPad is not going to offer a persistent data connection. Since the iPad will be connecting to verizon's network over WiFi, and the iPad sleeps it's wireless connection when in a locked state, the iPad will not he connected. However with the 3G iPad you will have a persistent data connection over true 3G. Rather important if you are depending on push Exchange emails when the device is locked or on push notifications for other apps!!!
@tehdoucher.
Yes, you are correct. being from Canada makes you wrong. So wrong.
If I were gonna get one of those devices it would be Sprints 4g overdrive and I'd use it for my broadband at home, they need to bring it to Michigan.
I'm seriously considering using the Sprint Overdrive instead of going with the 3G option. I'm bristling at the notion of buying a data plan for every device I use. I already have a 3GS iPhone with a data plan, but can't tether. I have a USB broadband modem for my laptop and the idea of having yet another data plan for my iPad seems like a bad idea.
The Overdrive isn't perfect, but it does have some compelling features. Its 4G with no 5GB cap in some cities and 3G with a 5GB cap everywhere else. It's small, has a display showing status, decent battery life and a good management interface.
I much prefer a scheme where I pay for the data I use - regardless of the mobile device I'm consuming it with. While its not perfect and I'll have another device to carry around, it might be worth a try.
Michigan will probably be the last place to get 4G. Speaking of Canada, you guys can have Michigan if you want, we don't need it anymore.
I'll be with AT&T's $15 for 250mb. Planning on using wifi most of the time. And when needed, I'll be 3G downloading only low data web pages avoiding audio and video.
So, I get $15/mo w/ no contract and all the wifi I wish. Sounds like a no brainer to me.
HELL NO
Plus the MiFi is so full of 'sploits
http://securitytube.net/Our-Software-wants-to-Kill-us-%28Shmoocon-2010%29-video.aspx
I will be using my Palm Pre Plus – as a HotSpot – and WIFI connect for the Ipad!! Getting the Best of Both Worlds, cant beat that huh…
I love the Palm Pre Plus so much, i just couldnt take ATT anymore.. losing calls, and no service all the time on the East Coast was enough!! I dont think I have ever had less than 2 bars with Verizon – Palm Pre Plus… So here i come, New Ipad – working all the time, anywere I go with my Palm Pre PLUS!!!!
It's a pretty cool idea however if they are going after the crowd who can't afford to get the Wifi+3G iPad for 130 dollars more it's funny that those people wouldn't calculate they would have the difference of the 3G version in just two months. In the long run 3G is the cheaper option, unless you're going to use the Mifi for multiple devices anyway.
I live in North Dakota (please don't make fun of me) and AT&T service is all but nonexistent.. If I were to buy an iPad there is NO WAY I would get it with AT&T service. That being said I would rather use my Droid with tether and not tell anyone but MiFi is still a better option than the horrible AT&T service here.
Verizon's data speed is slow, and their MiFi plan has a 5GB of cap which you will likely exceed during the few months you'll have the iPad.
um thats like the dumbest idea i have ever heard
Do you guys realize that this is Verizon being sore loser about the not getting the ipad. Also do not get a mifi for the ipad because you will go over 5gb in 15 days and then get your first months bill and its 1 grand you'll realize your poor decision made
I'm going with AT&T 3g plan
Yeah but I pay 40 a month for home broadband and that's wifi for whatever I want. And my speeds are faster and more reliable then over wireless. Granted verizon has more 3g coverage I'm not going to buy mi fi just to use my ipad
Tell me why do we need the iPad again?
Why would anyone carry an iPad plus a MiFi just to be on Verizon for $60 a month? Am i missing something here????
What you're missing, Danny (and others), is that the Verizon mi-fi service is not about a $60 alternative to a $30 plan - it's about getting one mobile Internet solution to support your laptop, iPad, your wife's laptop, your kids' iPods, etc. One $60/mo subscription versus a $60 subscription for your laptop and a $30 subscription for your iPad, and...
This is actually pretty attractive to me.
Screw that! I'd rather stay with at&t, have faster speeds, more reliable, and have a no commitment plan. Verizon sucks anyways. Doubled the price for slower speeds, let alone a commitment? C'mon. this is why Apple isn't going with Verizon anytime soon, until Verizon can boost up their speeds.
Verizon always starts out with, hey we are going to save you money. Warning Will Robison. Will not happen. If is sounds to good to be true, is is.
If VZW would offer unlimited data for the ipad, even at $60 I would say that it would be a good idea. Unless your a VZW customer who already has mifi you would be crazy to use a limited, twice as expensive mifi over the 3G