Apple Releases More Details on iPad 3G Version
The iPad will warn users when the data limit is within reach.
Friday Apple updated its iPad section with new details regarding the Wi-Fi + 3G model. Here the company explains the two data plans provided by AT&T: $15 per month for 250 MB, and $30 per month for unlimited access. As we previously reported, subscribers won't be bound by a contract-- they can cancel the service at any time without any kind of early termination fee.
For consumers who only want the "lite" plan, the iPad will have a built-in monitor that will keep track of data usage. Apple said that the device will even let the user know when they're running out of data allowances.
"You’ll get three alerts as you near your 250MB limit-- at 20 percent, 10 percent, and zero," the company said. "With each alert, you can choose to add more data or wait and do it later. Tap Now and iPad opens the Cellular Data Plan window so you can update your data plan."
Ultimately, iPad owners who choose the "lite" version will merely be buying chunks of data rather than feeling the 250 MB-per-month lock-down. Ran out of allowance? Another $15 within the same month will buy another 250 MB chunk. Consumers who need more than 250 MB per month are probably better off going "unlimited." Then again, big downloads are better suited for Wi-Fi mode.
Is $30 too much to pay for unlimited access? Besides, is it really unlimited? The term has been loosely used by ISPs and mobile carriers for years, and have proven that unlimited isn't necessarily... unlimited, asking users to cut back. With that said, our director of news operation Tuan (via Skype) suggested a new pricing scheme that better suits the actual meaning of unlimited:
- $15 for limited unlimited
- $30 for unlimited unlimited
- $39 for unlimited without "accidental random" connection down times
- $45 for we-won't-contact-you unlimited
- $60 for unlimited
In other related news, the pre-order program kicks off today.
- OnLive Game Service Hits PC, Mac in June
- iDongle Easily Jailbreaks Your iPhone
- We're Made Up of A Lot of Empty Space
- Samsung: Our 3D Blu-ray Player Does Work
- Apple's iPhone 4G Finally Caught on Camera?
- FCC Releases Internet Speed Test Tool
- Apple Employee Framed "Law and Order" Star
- Super Mario Themed Room is a Childhood Dream
- Ghost Recon Movie in the Works by Oscar Winners
- PlayStation Move Has Multiplayer Design Limitation
- Cell Phone Inventor Ditches iPhone for a DROID
- China Warns of 'Consequences' in Google's Plans
- Verizon to Ditch Unlimited Data Plans With 4G LTE
- FujiFilm Camera Knows if Your Cat, Dog is Looking
- 3D Printer Could Build a Church (or Moon Houses)
- LEGO BlackBerry is the Funkiest TV Around
- Obama Contemplating Three-Strikes Piracy Law
- Government to Reveal Internet Policy on Tuesday
- Hacked Nintendo DS Controls DSLR Cameras
The only way to get truly unlimited is through a business account.
The Ipad is going to fail. I own an Iphone already why would I buy a larger one with another $60 a month fee?, I guess I could get the wifi one but then I couldn't use it every where.
The Ipad is going to fail. I own an Iphone already why would I buy a larger one with another $60 a month fee?, I guess I could get the wifi one but then I couldn't use it every where.
My thoughts exactly, as an Iphone owner this is how I see it. Why bother spending a lot more money for a bigger version of my phone. Maybe my thoughts would be different if I did not already own a laptop and an Iphone.
The Ipad is going to fail. I own an Iphone already why would I buy a larger one with another $60 a month fee?, I guess I could get the wifi one but then I couldn't use it every where.
Dude, it's not $60, it's $30. You gotta read the article before commenting lol
In any case, I agree with what you are saying. I bought an Ipod touch, and i'm loving it, but I definitely don't need a larger one.
Even if I didn't have an Ipod though, for me I don't want something that large for what it can do. I would much rather carry around my bulky 17 inch laptop with its much fuller functionality.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that for me at least, I don't fit in the market this device appeals to. I'm still trying to figure out who actually DOES fit into that market, but I'm open to understanding if there are good reasons to owning such a device.
Um your Draming Dude, they sold 50 thousand units within 2 Hrs. They may sell close to a
quarter million by the end of the weekend, that's hardly a failure. You negative people never
stop, you don't even stop after the facts, you just continue to talk out your backside just for the
sake of talking! Give it up..........
I got an iPod Touch and now I really wish I hadn't wasted the money. Not because I want the iPad but because I've really seen no worth in the touch and would see much more use from a tablet with a fully functional OS rather than the gimped OS that is on the iPhone, touch, and will be on the iPad.
ignore this comment, just testing something on a random article
Have the Iphone 32Gb and dont need this, would rather see whats in store for the 4G iphone than this.
I'm gonna buy one for my kids (or maybe 2 if they fight over it). Some of the early children's books and software look very promising. I already spend a fortune on books for my kids, and if pricing is similar to the App Store then it'll be a bargain compared to what I spend now. Interactive touch screen apps for kids is one area I think the iPad would be great for.
$30 is a bit much consider when you get unlimited wifi at home.
How does a limited amount of unlimited work?
iSlate anyone?
))
9.9e per month for real unlimited/uncapped 384kbit internet in here.
Sounds so silly whenever I hear stuff like this..
Hell, I can pay 19.9e per month for 1Mbit and it even has a decent upload. I've head months with over 20 gigs transfer. Nobody cares.
What really burns my balls is the iphone plans aren't going to be inline with the ipad plans. I really don't need much of a data plan and I'd rather prepay for 250MB of data and save myself a pile of money. Give me a basic voice plan with 250MB of interweb and i'm good.
The Ipad is going to fail. I own an Iphone already why would I buy a larger one with another $60 a month fee?, I guess I could get the wifi one but then I couldn't use it every where.
I think you guys are wrong, it will do fine as long as the hardware does not have some unforeseen problems.
This is a copy paste from the Apple store, no contract.
AT&T 3G Data plans for iPad
Data per month Price per month
250MB/month $14.99
Unlimited $29.99
Sounds reasonable to me.
I liked this from the article:
# $30 for unlimited unlimited
# $39 for unlimited without "accidental random" connection down times
Give us $9 more a month and we won't randomly drop your connects.
How does a limited amount of unlimited work?
Unlimited until you hit the cap
If you're not interested in it...did you ever think maybe you're not the target customer?
Apple is targeting students who normally eye the KindleDX for textbooks, people that carry a DVD player around to watch movies, businesspeople that need internet capability to create or edit business documents but they don't want to carry a laptop around AND don't want to pay $60 for a normal aircard data plan.
If you're happy with an iPhone...then you're the target customer for their iPhone product instead
Hold on just a second. I'm having a hard time imagining the iPad as a large iPhone. Somebody is going to look pretty silly holding it against their ear while answering a phone call!
Hold on just a second. I'm having a hard time imagining the iPad as a large iPhone. Somebody is going to look pretty silly holding it against their ear while answering a phone call!
I'm with you. Unless one uses it as a "work notepad" (contractor, doctor, etc)its not a carry around device.
I will get one for around the home for instant-on access to Internet/e-mail with a good sized on-screen keyboard.
I have a touch and the things I need that a touch doesn't have: 1) Being able to print to a network printer (recipie, directions, etc) 2) larger screen so I can effectively browse the web (touch is okay in a pinch) 3) larger keyboard so you can type more effectively 4) instant-on so I don't have to wait for boot up.
Three of these are cover already by the iPad. Can it print? If so, I will buy one.