Comments on: Should non-US Residence Pre-order iPad WiFi+3G? http://blog.vinko.com/2010/03/12/nonus-residence-preorder-ipad-wifi3g/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=nonus-residence-preorder-ipad-wifi3g Thoughts on technology consumables from a different angle. Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:20:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Vinko http://blog.vinko.com/2010/03/12/nonus-residence-preorder-ipad-wifi3g/#comment-18485 Vinko Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:49:07 +0000 http://blog.vinko.com/?p=5028#comment-18485 Yes, I forgot to mention the existence of GPS and cellular location for the WiFi+3G version. Without the 3G radio, the WiFi only version will have to rely on the accuracy of ISP reporting the locations of their WiFi hotspots. In HK that is almost totally useless, as connections to residences do not have the individual customers' location registered.<br><br>Although, if you already have PCCW's MiFi and you are committed to a contract with PCCW, I think you should get the WiFi version.<br><br>I'm sure there will be hacks that allows the iPad to use the iPhone as a tethered 3G modem or to use the iPhone's GPS information within an iPad application. Yes, I forgot to mention the existence of GPS and cellular location for the WiFi+3G version. Without the 3G radio, the WiFi only version will have to rely on the accuracy of ISP reporting the locations of their WiFi hotspots. In HK that is almost totally useless, as connections to residences do not have the individual customers' location registered.

Although, if you already have PCCW's MiFi and you are committed to a contract with PCCW, I think you should get the WiFi version.

I'm sure there will be hacks that allows the iPad to use the iPhone as a tethered 3G modem or to use the iPhone's GPS information within an iPad application.

]]> By: Spike http://blog.vinko.com/2010/03/12/nonus-residence-preorder-ipad-wifi3g/#comment-18484 Spike Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:47:25 +0000 http://blog.vinko.com/?p=5028#comment-18484 I'm really on the fence about which version of the iPad to purchase. On the one hand, I have the PCCW equivalent of the MiFi device and by and large I'm happy with how it works. So I have ready WiFi access anywhere in Hong Kong. Also, since I have one contract for that and another contract for mobile service, I don't want to have to get a 3rd mobile contract for the iPad. <br><br>On the other hand, I do have this nagging feeling that I'll want direct WiFi access from the iPad at least some of the time. And the 3G version will have GPS, something the WiFi-only version doesn't have. Today I'm only using that GPS for things like FourSquare, but who can anticipate what iPad-only apps might get developed in the future that take advantage of this?<br><br>At any rate, so far I have decided not to buy anything. I have multiple ways to get one from the US but I'm concerned about the possible need for service on the device before it gets released here. I don't want to have to send it back to the US and wait a month or longer. So I decided, I've waited my entire life for an iPad (well, "waited my entire life" may be too strong a turn of phrase, but you get my meaning) so I can wait a few months longer.<br><br>At least that's what I'm telling myself now. By mid-April, perhaps I will have changed my mind. I'm really on the fence about which version of the iPad to purchase. On the one hand, I have the PCCW equivalent of the MiFi device and by and large I'm happy with how it works. So I have ready WiFi access anywhere in Hong Kong. Also, since I have one contract for that and another contract for mobile service, I don't want to have to get a 3rd mobile contract for the iPad.

On the other hand, I do have this nagging feeling that I'll want direct WiFi access from the iPad at least some of the time. And the 3G version will have GPS, something the WiFi-only version doesn't have. Today I'm only using that GPS for things like FourSquare, but who can anticipate what iPad-only apps might get developed in the future that take advantage of this?

At any rate, so far I have decided not to buy anything. I have multiple ways to get one from the US but I'm concerned about the possible need for service on the device before it gets released here. I don't want to have to send it back to the US and wait a month or longer. So I decided, I've waited my entire life for an iPad (well, “waited my entire life” may be too strong a turn of phrase, but you get my meaning) so I can wait a few months longer.

At least that's what I'm telling myself now. By mid-April, perhaps I will have changed my mind.

]]>