Apple's iPad coming to AT&T and Verizon stores on October 28th
Both AT&T and Verizon announced Thursday that they will begin selling Apple's iPad in their brick-and-mortar retail stores on Thursday the 28th, with the latter offering the device in conjunction with its MiFi mobile hot spots.
AT&T Stores
AT&T said all three iPad Wi-Fi + 3G models will be available at more than 2,200 AT&T Stores starting October 28. The wireless operator said it will be pitching the tablets alongside its 3G pre-paid data plans complete with Apple’s easy on-device activation and management.
Plans start at $14.99 per month for 250MB and $25 per month for 2GB with no term contract. Both plans include unlimited access to AT&T’s 23,000+ domestic Wi-Fi Hot Spots. The iPads themselves will sell for Apple's suggested retail price of $629 for the 16GB model, $729 for the 32GB and $829 for the 64GB.
“We look forward to expanding the reach of iPad, allowing even more customers to experience the magic of iPad for themselves,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s COO. “As we approach the holiday season, we are very happy that customers will now be able to buy iPad Wi-Fi + 3G at AT&T Stores.”
Verizon Stores
For its part, Verizon will offer only the WiFi versions of the iPad, bundling them with its Verizon MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot routers for a suggested retail price of $629.99 for iPad Wi-Fi 16GB + MiFi, $729.99 for iPad Wi-Fi 32GB + MiFi and $829.99 for iPad Wi-Fi 64GB + MiFi.
Verizon is offering a monthly access plan to iPad customers of up to 1GB of data for $20 a month. In addition, the carrier will also offer all three iPad Wi-Fi models on a stand-alone basis.
“This is the perfect pairing for holiday travels,” said John Stratton, chief operating officer for Verizon Wireless. “iPad together with the nation’s largest and most reliable 3G data network allows customers to easily connect on the go wherever they are.”
Verizon's MiFi 2200 (top, right) providing Internet access to an iPad | Source: Examiner
Verizon's MiFi 2200, pictured above, is small enough to fit in a pocket and allows users to create a personal Wi-Fi cloud capable of sharing the high-speed Internet connectivity of the Verizon Wireless 3G Mobile Broadband network with up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices. The MiFi 2200’s rechargeable battery provides up to four hours of active use and 40 hours of standby time on a single charge.
AT&T Stores
AT&T said all three iPad Wi-Fi + 3G models will be available at more than 2,200 AT&T Stores starting October 28. The wireless operator said it will be pitching the tablets alongside its 3G pre-paid data plans complete with Apple’s easy on-device activation and management.
Plans start at $14.99 per month for 250MB and $25 per month for 2GB with no term contract. Both plans include unlimited access to AT&T’s 23,000+ domestic Wi-Fi Hot Spots. The iPads themselves will sell for Apple's suggested retail price of $629 for the 16GB model, $729 for the 32GB and $829 for the 64GB.
“We look forward to expanding the reach of iPad, allowing even more customers to experience the magic of iPad for themselves,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s COO. “As we approach the holiday season, we are very happy that customers will now be able to buy iPad Wi-Fi + 3G at AT&T Stores.”
Verizon Stores
For its part, Verizon will offer only the WiFi versions of the iPad, bundling them with its Verizon MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot routers for a suggested retail price of $629.99 for iPad Wi-Fi 16GB + MiFi, $729.99 for iPad Wi-Fi 32GB + MiFi and $829.99 for iPad Wi-Fi 64GB + MiFi.
Verizon is offering a monthly access plan to iPad customers of up to 1GB of data for $20 a month. In addition, the carrier will also offer all three iPad Wi-Fi models on a stand-alone basis.
“This is the perfect pairing for holiday travels,” said John Stratton, chief operating officer for Verizon Wireless. “iPad together with the nation’s largest and most reliable 3G data network allows customers to easily connect on the go wherever they are.”
Verizon's MiFi 2200 (top, right) providing Internet access to an iPad | Source: Examiner
Verizon's MiFi 2200, pictured above, is small enough to fit in a pocket and allows users to create a personal Wi-Fi cloud capable of sharing the high-speed Internet connectivity of the Verizon Wireless 3G Mobile Broadband network with up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices. The MiFi 2200’s rechargeable battery provides up to four hours of active use and 40 hours of standby time on a single charge.
Comments
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WAT.
This is a spectacular way to judge the desire for an Apple device using Verizon's telephony network. The number of people that buy a Wi-Fi iPad from Verizon would be the same number that'd buy an iPhone/iPad built for Verizon.
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/splash/ipad.jsp
Well, shit, oh dear!.
So if I want to use an iPad on Verizon's network, I have to carry two devices? No thanks. However it's interesting that they are selling it....
To be fair, it's a pretty useful device, and you can have more than one device using its 3G connection.
But as you alluded to, it's far, FAR more interesting that Apple and Verizon are working together on anything at all. The double-punch of WSJ and NYT reports on the Verizon iPhone had already turned me from skeptic into believer, but now I'm nearly 100 percent sold on it happening as predicted.
So if I want to use an iPad on Verizon's network, I have to carry two devices? No thanks. However it's interesting that they are selling it....
The MiFi isn't iPad-only. With that you can connect your laptop, ipod touch, ipad, and whoever else you might wanna connect (up to 5).
Plus, one big key the article misses is the data plans for Verizon
$20 for 1GB
$35 for 3GB
$50 for 5GB
So if I want to use an iPad on Verizon's network, I have to carry two devices? No thanks. However it's interesting that they are selling it....
What's likely?
-- tether with VZ CDMA phone
-- Upgrade iPad, adding CDMA
-- both
-- neither
.
Wat.
...
WAT.
This is a spectacular way to judge the desire for an Apple device using Verizon's telephony network. The number of people that buy a Wi-Fi iPad from Verizon would be the same number that'd buy an iPhone/iPad built for Verizon.
True to an extent, but I don't think it is a true indicator. Many people who want a Verizon iPhone may have gone with the WiFi only iPad already, and will not be able to get this deal.
Others, myself included, opted for a Palm Pre Plus because it Verizon offered (still does?) free Mobile Hotspot (up to 5 devices/5GB month). Still would have a WiFi only iPad.
The MiFi isn't iPad-only. With that you can connect your laptop, ipod touch, ipad, and whoever else you might wanna connect (up to 5).
Plus, one big key the article misses is the data plans for Verizon
$20 for 1GB
$35 for 3GB
$50 for 5GB
P.S. The Verizon iPad ALSO comes with a case for the same price.
Link for case, please!
... you know the case just has to have VZ all over it
.
Link for case, please!
... you know the case just has to have VZ all over it
.
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/splash/ipad_faq.jsp
EDIT: Sorry, that was for the pricing. I don't know where i got the case from... It's too early for me =\\
Wat.
...
WAT.
This is a spectacular way to judge the desire for an Apple device using Verizon's telephony network. The number of people that buy a Wi-Fi iPad from Verizon would be the same number that'd buy an iPhone/iPad built for Verizon.
Now this I agree with you. Except it being the same number... Some people may not like to have to use MiFi... I love my iPad 3G, connected virtually everywhere, anytime.
I think it's a very good idea to offer it with the MiFi. It opens up lots of possibilities.
I just onder if Verizon has you go through some hoops when you use the MiFi (Kinda like at rest-areas' WiFi spots) in order to use it?
I haven't ever used a MiFi, so i don't know...
Great news though.
Anyways.. Verizon's data plans for the iPad is better than AT&T's I think..
This is the start of the Apple-Verizon relationship. I think it's pretty clear now that we'll see the iPhone on Verizon next year...
Anyways.. Verizon's data plans for the iPad is better than AT&T's I think..
just thinking the same thing
Wow! I can understand AT&T selling iPads that work on their network, but I?m surprised that Verizon would sell WiFi iPads to promote their MiFi products. Just how big is this iPad thing anyway?
This iPad thing is massive. That's why the international rollout of iPad has been so slow. They've focused on key markets and are set to dominate, particularly the next three months. iPhone and iPad everywhere.
So this is how it begins...
Indeed.
Fascinating venue for the iPad, but in a way it's basically an additional retail outlet for such a coveted device. Way to go for Apple-more free PR & $$$ in the bag.
It's where all the extra iPads are going. Not overseas but the expanded retail chains. I'd be very surprised if Apple did not do at least 9 million iPad units in the Oct-Dec quarter *alone*
Am I reading this wrong or is Verizon absolutely desperate to get on board?
Well the telcos will always take anything that's hip and hot. iPhone, iPad, Samsung Galaxy *cough* ... All to keep people on their networks.