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Matthew Miller & Joel Evans
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Nothing to see here, Verizon iPad is simply a WiFi iPad and a MiFi

By | October 14, 2010, 11:13am PDT

Summary: It looks like Verizon is trying to take advantage of the Apple name and is bundling a MiFi with a standard WiFi iPad and acting like it is something special. This is the same thing you can do with any carrier and a WiFi hotspot-enabled device.

I received a link to the press release that Verizon Wireless is going to offer the iPad on 28 October and thought it was great news that a CDMA iPad was coming which would likely lead to a CDMA iPhone. Guess what? This offer is simply a standard iPad WiFi unit and a MiFi bundle with some special limited data pricing. You can get the same thing with any carrier by tethering a smartphone or using a MiFi or Overdrive too so there is nothing really to see here. Having a 3G iPad like AT&T does is way different than having two devices, one with very limited battery life, in a bundle package and looks to just be a clever marketing ploy.

Here are the bundled offerings from Verizon:

  • iPad WiFi 16GB and MiFi for $629.99
  • iPad WiFi 32GB and MiFi for $729.99
  • iPad WiFi 64GB and MiFi for $829.99

This deal essentially bundles the MiFi for $130 and requires you to sign up for a wireless data plan with the MiFi at these available data package prices. The agreement is only on a month-to-month basis without any termination fee:

  • 1GB of date for $20/month ($20/1GB overage)
  • 3GB of data for $35/month ($10/1GB overage)
  • 5GB of data for $50/month ($10/1GB overage)

The overage charges are slightly different too so if there is any chance of going over 1GB make sure you buy the 3GB plan that ends up being cheaper than the risk of going over 1GB

While the iPad gives you 10 hours of use, you will only see three to four hours of connectivity with the MiFi. You can carry extra batteries for the MiFi though.

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Topics

Apple iPad, Verizon Communications Inc., MiFi, Wireless LANs, Engineering, Cellular Phones, Wi-Fi, Workforce Management, Wireless And Mobility, Consumer Electronics, Personal Technology, Matthew Miller

Matthew Miller is an avid mobile device enthusiast who works during the day as a professional naval architect in Seattle.

Disclosure

Matthew Miller

Matthew is a professional naval architect by day and a mobile gadget freak at all other times. He purchases most of his devices and then sells them on eBay or Craigslist to buy more. Many other devices are sent for review on a 30-day loaner basis and then returned to the carrier or manufacturer. If any are provided as “keeper” or “long term loaner units” this will be clearly disclosed in his reviews.

Biography

Matthew Miller

Matthew Miller is an avid mobile device enthusiast who works during the day as a professional naval architect in Seattle. He is one of three hosts on the MobileTechRoundup podcast and runs the Nokia Experts website. Matthew started using mobile devices in 1997 with a US Robotics Pilot 1000 and has owned over 90 different devices running Palm, Linux, Symbian, Newton, BlackBerry, Mac OS X (iPhone), Google Android, and Windows Mobile operating systems. His current collection includes a Nokia N85, Nokia E71, Nokia 5800, Nokia N810, Apple iPhone, HTC Advantage, T-Mobile G1, Palm Treo Pro, HTC Fuze, MSI Wind, MacBook Pro, and many more, along with tons of accessories and classic devices like the Apple Newton MessagePad 2100 and Sony CLIE UX50. Matthew co-authored Master Visually Windows Mobile 2003, was a member of the Nokia Nseries Blogger relations program, and is a member of the invite-only Microsoft Mobius mobile device evangelist group. He can be found on various discussion forums under the user name of "palmsolo".

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Can't Help but LOVE Loverock Simple Message of TRUTH!
i2fun@... 18th Oct 2010
@richardw66 Enough said! He's an iconic jewel here on ZDNet and here he simply re-iterated the TRUTH that iCrApple Fans are so willing to ignore!!! grin
View in thread
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RE: Nothing to see here, Verizon iPad is simply a WiFi iPad and a MiFi
Loverock Davidson Updated - 14th Oct 2010
Although outrageously expensive, some Apple fans are going to buy right into this.
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RE: Nothing to see here, Verizon iPad is simply a WiFi iPad and a MiFi
richardw66 14th Oct 2010
@Loverock Davidson

OMG you have bothered to spin this one

Are you being well paid for this or do you just have an obsession with bringing down Apple?
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RE: Nothing to see here, Verizon iPad is simply a WiFi iPad and a MiFi
cyberslammer Updated - 14th Oct 2010
@richardw66 He's an incompetent boob...

Loverock has predicted the failure of

1. iPod
2. iPhone
3. iPad

He also predicted Vista would be a smashing success, that the Kin would kill the iPhone, and has refused to acknowledge any of the above failures on his part.

He also refuses to even post a single credential that he has...degree, certification, etc...not one.

He's a troll...I wish ZDnet would get an ignore function.

He's like trickytom3 without the made-up CIO position.
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You forgot...
zkiwi 14th Oct 2010
His epic fails on court rulings against Microsoft. Particularly regarding the EC.

We're either waiting for his predictions that Microsoft is going to spank the EC to come true, or we're more of the mindset to think, "Dang, Microsoft got hammered for over a billion by them, and could even be in the line for more EC pain, what with Loverock's predictions etc."
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RE: Nothing to see here, Verizon iPad is simply a WiFi iPad and a MiFi
boomchuck1 15th Oct 2010
Oh come on, if LD didn't post to an article like this then everyone would be reading the obits to see what happened! He's the guy you love to hate.
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RE: Nothing to see here, Verizon iPad is simply a WiFi iPad and a MiFi
tehpea 15th Oct 2010
@richardw66 Not only has he got an obsession with bringing Apple down, he also has an obsession with bringing Linux down. Moreso, he has an obsession with loving Microsoft...
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Can't Help but LOVE Loverock Simple Message of TRUTH!
i2fun@... 18th Oct 2010
@richardw66 Enough said! He's an iconic jewel here on ZDNet and here he simply re-iterated the TRUTH that iCrApple Fans are so willing to ignore!!! grin
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RE: Nothing to see here, Verizon iPad is simply a WiFi iPad and a MiFi
Pete "athynz" Athens 14th Oct 2010
@Loverock Davidson Personally I don't see why they would - but then again I don't see the attraction of it... can one of you iPad fans tell me what it does differently than my iPhone?
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RE: Nothing to see here, Verizon iPad is simply a WiFi iPad and a MiFi
cyberslammer 14th Oct 2010
@athynz I can tell you...for one, I use it to study for certs and read books, surf the web, do email, etc...yes while the iPhone does it, do you really want to be doing all that while you're on the couch or lying in bed? I also remote desktop with it into my Windows machine in my office and do things as well, I can use it as a file storage and also use iLife apps on it like document editor, spreadsheet and presentation.

I've had mine since mid-April, and I can honestly say I have zero regrets owning it.
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RE: Nothing to see here, Verizon iPad is simply a WiFi iPad and a MiFi
Pete "athynz" Athens 15th Oct 2010
@cyberslammer Okay I can see that - I might have to visit an Apple store and give on a test drive... I can do all of that on my laptop or desktop with the exception of iLife (I have PCs running Windows 7) but if I like it enough I might have to save up some cash for it or version 2... I'm glad someone finally answered my question on this - thanks.
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You get what you pay for.
pcguy777 Updated - 14th Oct 2010
Everybody knows Stores come up with Promos, Discounts, and Special event pricing all the time... or big discounts with contracts.

Lets Wait and see...

And finally: Taking advantage of the Apple name???!!! You have got to be kidding! That really has nothing to do with anything really. I suppose Wal-mart is trying to take advantage of the Apple name also, just because they sell ipods... LOLOL.

Would i be trying to take advantage of the apple name if I was allowed to retail them, would you? Is att taking advantage of apple???

Interesting argument....
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RE: Nothing to see here, Verizon iPad is simply a WiFi iPad and a MiFi
Scubajrr 14th Oct 2010
@pcguy777 I started with Cingular (pre ATT days) tried Verizon, switched to Sprint and came back to ATT. Bottom line, ATT works best for me. I travel a lot to the southwest (AZ, NM, TX, OK) and when I had Verizon, if I wasn't in a city reception was more miss than hit. My ATT coverage has always been more dependable. So sure, I could move to Verizon, pay more and get worse service. Think I'll stay where I am.
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RE: Nothing to see here, Verizon iPad is simply a WiFi iPad and a MiFi
pcguy777 Updated - 14th Oct 2010
@Scubajrr

Cool.. Im glad your a satisfied customer. Its not always an easy thing to come by these days

Anyways, Networking/QoS and customer service are the most important factors to me. And per my own experiences "and" feedback (from other co-workers, friends etc) Ive made the best choice.

I can respect other consumer choices, if they can respect mine etc...

This article failed to even come close to that ideal (seemed more political than technical, -esp. the article Summary)

later
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So let me get this straight
bobiroc 14th Oct 2010
the MiFi is similar in size to a phone that could be used as a 3G tethered modem is it not? What if you have a phone already that you can use for that? At this point it seems reasonable to hold out for two things. iPad V2 and see if Verizon actually will get a CDMA device in the iPad and iPhone in 2011 as the rumors are hinting at. But I wouldn't hold my breath.
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RE: Nothing to see here, Verizon iPad is simply a WiFi iPad and a MiFi
capecodjewel 14th Oct 2010
Are you kidding me? Why would anyone buy a nice, sleek tablet... with a knobby, dangly tail? That's not cool. Neither is being forced to purchase a data plan. Keep the dongle, and lower the price. No sale.
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RE: Nothing to see here, Verizon iPad is simply a WiFi iPad and a MiFi
richardw66 14th Oct 2010
@capecodjewel

What is the going US price for a MiFi dongle?

This is obviously verizon trying to enter the Apple market 1:1 with AT&T on price. I don't think they have a choice on the convenience issue if they want to get in now.

There are probably times when this is useful but you are right nowhere near the convenience of an iPad with built in 3G.
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Welcome to America
rhon@... 15th Oct 2010
I always wonder when I see those Data Package prices why it took so long for Asia to catch up with the US. It seems that policy makers in the US still do not understand that data traffic should be fast and almost free. At least in Asia people do get it.
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RE: Nothing to see here, Verizon iPad is simply a WiFi iPad and a MiFi
Mister Bleau 15th Oct 2010
I'm not sure I understand what Matthew's issue with this promotion is. I've been using the iPad/MiFi combo for three months. When I purchased my iPad last summer, I already had a Verizon MiFi, which I had purchased in February to use with my laptop. The MiFi made sense for me because I occasionally work with a group on the road, and the MiFi router can handle up to four WiFi connections plus one tethered computer. I have been an iPhone user for three years, currently own a iPhone 4, and am not an AT&T basher. I have had occasional problems with AT&T coverage, just as I have occasionally had problems with Verizon's. I bought my iPad without 3G simply because I could already tether it with my iPhone in an emergency and the MiFi is an extremely flexible, hi-speed solution for every day use. It also can give me simultaneous WiFi connectivity for both my computer and iPad. I carry extra MiFi batteries with me when I travel, but I don't recall ever having used them, even though I often stream Sling TV and videos from my hard drive. The MiFi charges when I plug it into my laptop via USB. I applaud Verizon for offering iPad buyers an alternative to AT&T 3G. True, it's not a solution for every user, but it's there for those for whom it makes sense, like me. And of course, diversity and competition can only improve our consumer experience.
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RE: Nothing to see here, Verizon iPad is simply a WiFi iPad and a MiFi
ITOdeed 15th Oct 2010
ZDnet should be investigating how Verizon is ripping people off with massive overcharges instead of reporting on new ways they can rip people off. The insatiable greed of Verizon is appalling.
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MiFi iPad is better than 3G iPad
Boulder_Bum 15th Oct 2010
Personally, I'd rather have a MiFi with an iPad than a 3G iPad because I'd be able to use the MiFi with other devices.

The only things disappointing about the package are that you don't get a significant price break buying into the Verizon MiFi and the data plan prices are ridiculously expensive for what you get.
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RE: Nothing to see here, Verizon iPad is simply a WiFi iPad and a MiFi
anibeth 16th Oct 2010
sorry, I don't deal with the marketing gimmick of AT&T. I deal with Verizon. If you don't know much about Verizon's release of Ipad, don't bother reviewing it. Also Verizon is much better than AT&T, which is just an overpriced, unreliable provider.

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