iPad Adviser

iPad Models

I was impressed by iPad’s networking options and services. There are two versions available:

• Wi-Fi [802.11a/b/g/n]
• Wi-Fi [802.11a/b/g/n] + 3G

Besides Wi-Fi only model, iPad is also available in a Wi-Fi + 3G model for cellular network access from AT&T. The 3G radio version cost $130 more than Wi-Fi only version.

iPad’s Bluetooth Connectivity

iPad boasts Bluetooth version 2.1 + EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) Technology

Bluetooth 2.1 version has improved pairing experience for Bluetooth devices while increasing the use and strength of security as compared to older version of Bluetooth.The nominal rate of EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) is approximately 3 megabits per second, but practical data transfer rate is close to 2.1 megabits per second. Both Wi-Fi and 3G model support Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR Technology for  connecting wireless device like keyboard.

AT&T’s No-contract, 3G service

In the U.S., 3G service will be available from AT&T. You can choose from two data plans and the good thing about this service is there is no contract required. So basically you can use the wireless service as and only when you want it. In addition to this, AT&T data plans include unlimited access to over 20,000 Wi-Fi hotspots at locations including Starbucks, Barnes & Noble, and more.

The 3G plan offers data speeds up to 7.2 Mbps over 3G cellular networks around the world. iPad seamlessly switches between 3G and even faster Wi-Fi that way you always get the best connection available.

Super Easy Sign-up: So easy a cave man can do it

The service can be added or removed anytime right from iPad. No need to call or visit AT&T store.

How do you do it? from your iPad, tap Settings and choose Cellular Data. Then type in your user information, select a plan, and enter your credit card information. Like I said earlier, there’s no need to visit a store or call customer service.

You can monitor your data usage and change your plan at any time, including switching to unlimited data or canceling 3G service if you know you won’t need it.

Is the data plan required when I buy iPad Wi-Fi + 3G?

Absolutely no. You buy the wireless service only when you need it. You can just sign up for a contract-free data plan right on your iPad. If you ended up not buying the 3G data plan you can always use the built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi to access the Internet. I like this flexibility very much. Personally I would buy Wi-Fi + 3G model and start out with no data plan. I would watch my internet usage habit. If I feel I am out of Wi-Fi hot spot range some or most of the time, I would start out with 250MB/$14.99 data plan. If I still feel I am being left out and about without network I would upgrade myself to unlimited plan. Now one thing most people fear from a wireless service is what they are going to be charged for when they overshoot their data plan limit. Here is your answer from AT&T and Apple: As you get closer to your monthly data limit, you’ll receive onscreen messages to help you decide whether to upgrade to another 250MB or switch to the unlimited plan. You can also check your data usage anytime in Settings. You can drop the service if you think you don’t want it at this time.

iPad has several wow features and has impressed teh fan base. We covered iPad’s Top Five Features in the previous article. This articles lists the biggest disappointments among iPad enthusiasts. Apple is more likely to address these issues in the next model, but for now, here is the whiners list:

1. No Camera
First and foremost disappointment is no camera. I was expecting iPad to have a iSight like camera that they have on Macbook Pros. This immediately jumped to mind that this step is intentional to keep camera option for iPad’s new model later. if it had a camera it could have been a replacement for my Macbook Pro. Perhaps Apple can provide a good reason for omitting this essential feature.

2. No Adobe Flash Player Support.
Apple doesn’t want to run anything on these mobile devices that they don’t have control over. And Flash being notoriously bad for hogging CPU, making things slower and sucking up battery fast. But for bigger device such as iPad with web browsing at its main core feature it should be better because nobody can have a great Web surfing experience without Flash.

3. No Multitasking
iPad is supposed to be a Netbooks replacement as per Steve Jobs so why are still not able to run multiple Apps together with the exception of listening to music? This is also one of the biggest disappointment since multi tasking is a must for everyone these days. iPad has such a powerful processor, apple should have been able to incorporate multitasking on iPads.

4. Video Limitations
iPad screen is 768 pixels high so it appears it will be able to play 720p video without any issues. Wrong! Because 720p video is 1280 pixels wide this crops down the video image size by 20%. So? it will have black bars at the top. But you could easily tap the screen to replete the screen but it would cut off the sides of the image.

5. Doesn’t Support any other carrier’s 3G
iPad is surely unlocked but it wont work on anything other then ATT since it uses micro SIMs. The device uses GSM chip that is not compatible with Verizon’s 3G network. T-Mobile uses GSM 3G but – mind you its a big but – its 3G network runs on 1700 MHz; The iPad GSM chip only supports only these -

• UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz)
• GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)