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Verizon sees iPad launch as a way to make some big bucks

posted by Alan F. / Mar 10, 2010, 12:47 AM

Verizon sees iPad launch as a way to make some big bucks

Sure, it was deja vu all over again as Yogi Berra would have said, when AT&T was selected as the 3G carrier for Apple's iPad instead of the rumored Verizon. But this time, Verizon has a way to bring in some dollars from the launch. A screen shot that was passed along to Engadget by a tipster shows a message to VZW reps from the home office. The notice reminds them that the Wi-Fi version of the tablet is expected to be launched April 3rd and that instead of waiting the few weeks for the 3G enabled model to come out, an iPad buyer could purchase the Verizon MiFi device. This way, an iPad buyer could skip AT&T's 3G network which Big Red calls, "An overloaded network with limited coverage," and use Verizon's highly praised pipelines. The one caveat-and you knew that there would be one-is that Verizon charges $60 for 5GB of data vs. the $30 AT&T will charge monthly for unlimited service. But even AT&T's CEO said that most iPad users will opt for Wi-Fi only. Still, you have got to hand it to Verizon. Here is a product that they have no connection to and yet, they have an opportunity to shoe horn its way into the Apple tablet's revenue stream thanks to its Ev-Do Rev. A network. We wonder if AT&T will have something to say publicly about this matter.

Verizon MiFi 2200 Review

source: EngadgetMobile

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24 Comments

1. Kiltlifter

Posts: 742; Member since: Dec 11, 2008

YYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWN... I think the HP slate will own everything the iPad does. The Archos 9 does everything the iPad does (except multi-touch) and much more and it only costs $550 and a better resolution screen and support for HD videos. If you wanna drop 1k, get a netbook navigator... If you want a really big and overpriced iPhone get the iPad. I would think people would just opt for an iPod Touch as it will basically do everything the iPad does anyways, and cost half the price, or just get an iPhone.... "but it has a bigger screen" "but it has the same resolution, so movies and videos will look waaaaaay worse."

posted on Oct 20, 2010, 1:45 AM 0

2. DonkeyPunched

Posts: 321; Member since: Jan 10, 2010

You haven't even seen the iPad for one thing, so you shouldn't make assumptions yet. Already talking trash and it isn't even out yet.

posted on Mar 10, 2010, 5:16 AM 0

3. rwolf1984

Posts: 536; Member since: Jun 06, 2009

First Relevant Comment Regarding this Article: VZW has Apple envy for sure, lol...But it is an opportunity and if the user has more than one wifi device they "need" this product. Sprint should be doing the same thing with its 3G MiFi and 4G Overdrive. . . Semi-unrelevantness: iPad comes out April 3rd...its not a netbook. its a unique class of portable devices. Netbooks arent for everyone. iPad is not for everyone. Most netbooks I have seen are just really cheap laptops, not very durable and feel really chintzy. Nokia and Samsung offered some solid feeling netbooks...HP and Dell's for the most part felt better than the crap Acer's and the rest of the junk. HP's Slate is a touchscreen netbook. The Slate and iPad are portable devices that offer different experiences for different users. Conclusion, different devices offer different solutions for different user's needs. I don't think we should debate the iPad everytime its mentioned...its stupid.

posted on Mar 10, 2010, 8:32 AM 0

23. iHateCrapple

Posts: 734; Member since: Feb 12, 2010

Stupid and repetitive yes....but it sure as hell is funny reading the tit for tat

posted on Mar 11, 2010, 9:37 AM 0

4. artz1986

Posts: 453; Member since: Mar 11, 2009

98% of the places where you can actually sit down and use this thing, comfortably, has wifi, and if you need wifi at home, buy a wireless router. 3G shouldn't be needed 100% or even 50% of the time. For me, I wouldn't need it at all. But, like I've stated before, the majority of customers are clueless and probably wouldn't see the true difference between an iPad w/ 3G and one strictly wifi capable. They'd probably think the difference is speed rather than connectivity; Vzw is banking on these customers.

posted on Mar 10, 2010, 9:01 AM 0

5. PapaJay224

Posts: 866; Member since: Feb 08, 2009

I hink this is a great oppertunity, phone calls aside, for iPhone users to see the difference between iPad on VZW and iPad on At&t, I really think this is going to be a shot across the bow for At&t. And hopefully for customers sake, a ramp up to iPhone on Big Red. (they ARE putting a CDMA 3g chipset in it why not accidently slip one into an iPhone...hmmm)

posted on Mar 10, 2010, 9:08 AM 0

8. rwolf1984

Posts: 536; Member since: Jun 06, 2009

asian cdma is different from american cdma

posted on Mar 10, 2010, 9:29 AM 0

12. PapaJay224

Posts: 866; Member since: Feb 08, 2009

Wow and your a smart Fella...What the heck does that have to do with anything...??? iPad IS going to have 3G CDMA chipset...Apple + 3G CDMA = your comment is retarded..

posted on Mar 10, 2010, 11:39 AM 0

17. shimmyx20

Posts: 280; Member since: Mar 03, 2009

Where did you read this? The 3G iPad has a WCDMA (aka UMTS/HSDPA) chipset. Remember kids WCDMA (UMTS) is different from CDMA (CDMA2000) Look it up :)

posted on Mar 10, 2010, 12:51 PM 0

19. rwolf1984

Posts: 536; Member since: Jun 06, 2009

Apple is currently producing iPhones with Asian CDMA chipsets, but those wont work on American CDMA carriers like Verizon and Sprint. Apple is only making WCDMA 3G UMTS iPads compatible with AT&T's network for now. . . Thanx for having my back there shimmy!!! people see cdma and they automatically think its Verizon or Sprint, lol RETARDS!

posted on Mar 10, 2010, 2:29 PM 0

6. theman414

Posts: 132; Member since: Jun 08, 2009

I'm not mad at Verizon for trying. Good marketing, but why would u spend $60 for 5gb when youcan get unlimited for half the price? Just asking

posted on Mar 10, 2010, 9:12 AM 0

7. Kappy

Posts: 108; Member since: Dec 14, 2009

Maybe this also part of a good-faith effort by VZW to show some support for Apple and their products with hopes of Apple bringing the iPhone to VZW.

posted on Mar 10, 2010, 9:16 AM 0

20. rwolf1984

Posts: 536; Member since: Jun 06, 2009

There is no good faith in business...only the good green you bring home!

posted on Mar 10, 2010, 2:30 PM 0

24. iHateCrapple

Posts: 734; Member since: Feb 12, 2010

iPhone came out several years ago....VZW is STILL #1.....VZW doesn't need or want the iPhone Droid FTW!

posted on Mar 11, 2010, 9:41 AM 0

9. Mateo8326

Posts: 472; Member since: Jul 15, 2009

I guess will have to see then if that's the cause why didn't verizon get the iphone, i'm sure they would want that instead of the ipad

posted on Mar 10, 2010, 9:35 AM 0

11. Kappy

Posts: 108; Member since: Dec 14, 2009

oh of course they would rather have the iPhone. Don't get me wrong, their (VZW) main motive is to make money for themselves. But Apple still makes out because it is advertising for one of their products. Notice VZW is flaming ATT not Apple in this memo. So maybe VZW will feel (hope) Apple sees the willingness of VZW to advertise or push their product with the hopes of getting an iPhone in the future. If VZW could they would find a way to push the iPhone on VZW with an mifi. I think it has been brought up that you can, however that is much LESS likely to happen than the iPad, since you can purchase an iPad out of contract.

posted on Mar 10, 2010, 10:34 AM 0

13. PapaJay224

Posts: 866; Member since: Feb 08, 2009

It was NEVER apples choice to not pick VZW, you have it backwards...Hopefully VERIZON will see if they like an Apple product and will decide to progress through with other devices....

posted on Mar 10, 2010, 11:41 AM 0

16. Kappy

Posts: 108; Member since: Dec 14, 2009

you know what I meant lol

posted on Mar 10, 2010, 12:37 PM 0

10. JeffdaBeat unregistered

I agree with the poster above. The iPad is not the solution to everyone. It's not a replacement for your notebook. Maybe for your netbook when HTML5 starts taking over. But for now, it's a niche item. But maybe that's the plan. Introduce this thing now. Get it in people's heads. Then really push out the big ones. I mean, didn't we make the same arguments for the original iPhone (no picturemail, no flash support, no 3G). Now it's the phone everyone has to have. I mean, come on. Every company does this when their company announces a major product. When I worked for Sprint and the iPhone came out and Sprint was coming close to releasing the Samsung Instinct, it was the same comparison. Name every fault their product has and everything your product can do (of course, not naming the flaws of your own product). Verizon does have Apple envy otherwise they wouldn't waste their time making something like this. I don't see Verizon commenting on Sprint or T-Mobile products. That being said, I think people hating on the iPad are idiots. You have no idea what this thing will be capable of when launched or what it will be able to do with software updates. Everyone complained about it not supporting Flash, but because of Steve Jobs' rant about Flash, there is a big push towards HTML5...bigger and sooner than I thought it would be.

posted on Mar 10, 2010, 9:58 AM 0

14. PapaJay224

Posts: 866; Member since: Feb 08, 2009

But all things aside, its a giant iPhone (which we've seen (old news)) and features on it are obsolete. Not to mention lack of storage. so put this into perspective, youtube aside, You cant Flash on it, ok fine, you can download iTunes Videos but How many? 64gb worth? You can buy 64gb SD chips now why pay 300$ for one because its crammed in your Giant iPhone? I just dont see the need for it...It is seriously a Giant iPhone...thats it huge screen same resolution, same HDD size, same capabilities...