Verizon to sell iPad this month and offer bundles

[Camille]

They won't be selling the iPhone until next year but are offering iPad bundles from this month

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...#ixzz12MaxGj8L

By SPENCER E. ANTE And ROGER CHENG

Apple Inc. will start selling the iPad through Verizon Wireless stores later this month, establishing a relationship between the two companies and expanding distribution of the tablet computer ahead of the holidays.
The move puts an Apple product in Verizon Wireless's 2,000 stores for the first time. The iPad will also be the first tablet sold by the largest U.S. wireless carrier when it hits the shelves Oct. 28.
Apple is tapping Verizon Wireless's retail presence as it moves aggressively to capitalize on its lead before a wave of tablet computers from competitors like Motorola Inc. and BlackBerry maker Research In Motion Ltd. hits U.S. stores.
Apple— which originally sold the device in the U.S. only through its own stores and website and some Best Buy Co. locations—has struck a string of deals in the past few weeks to expand the iPad's distribution to Target Corp., Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Sam's Club and all of Best Buy's stores.
Apple also said Thursday it would start selling the iPad through AT&T Inc.'s 2,200 stores on Oct. 28. Apple has offered a 3G wireless version of the iPad with service provided by AT&T since the tablet's launch, but AT&T hadn't been allowed to sell the device.

Apple Inc. said Thursday morning it plans to sell its iPad tablet device through retail stores owned by AT&T and Verizon. Walt Mossberg and Dan Gallagher discuss. Plus: the Digits team gives a Google earnings preview.

Verizon Wireless won't sell a 3G version of the iPad. Instead, users will have to buy a separate Wi-Fi device to connect to the carrier's network. The move, however, gets the iPad into the carrier's hands before the arrival of a competing tablet produced by Samsung–the Galaxy Tab–which runs on software developed by Apple rival Google Inc.
The distribution deals indicate Apple has significantly ramped up its output of iPads. Morgan Stanley analyst Katy L. Huberty estimates that Apple increased production capacity to two million units a month in August, up from one million a month earlier. Ms. Huberty believes Apple would like to ramp up to three million a month this quarter, but says constrained supply for components could makes that a challenge.

"I'd be surprised if they get north of 9 million a quarter by end of December," Ms. Huberty said.
The announcement follows renewed expectation that Verizon Wireless may soon carry the iPhone. Apple is making a version of the iPhone that Verizon Wireless will sell early next year, according to people familiar with the matter.
Although Verizon has yet to announce a deal for the iPhone, the iPad agreement marks a major advance in the relationship between the two companies. Ivan Seidenberg, chief executive of Verizon Communications Inc., which jointly owns Verizon Wireless with Vodafone Group PLC, has continually demurred on the prospect of getting the iPhone despite expressing interest in the device.
"At some point, Apple will get with the program," Mr. Seidenberg told investors at a conference last month.
Spokeswomen for Verizon Wireless and Apple declined to comment on the two companies' relationship. An AT&T representative declined to comment on Verizon selling the iPad.
Verizon Wireless is making sacrifices to carry the iPad. It will offer customers the option of bundling their iPad with its "MiFi" gadget for about $130, less than half the current cost of the device. The MiFi device, about the size of a business card and roughly 0.4 inches thick, connects to cellular networks and creates a portable Wi-Fi hotspot that can support up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices.
Verizon Wireless is also cutting the price of its data plans for the iPad, offering users 1 gigabyte of data for $20 a month, compared with current options of $40 for 250 megabytes and $60 for 5 gigabytes. Users can pay more for bigger plans, including a $50 a month plan for 5 gigabytes.
Over the last year, Verizon Wireless has put its muscle behind devices built on Google's competing Android operating system. Many analysts believe the carrier's success has put pressure on Apple to cut a deal with Verizon to help blunt the rise of Android.
The iPad deal will give Apple an inside view of Verizon Wireless's network capabilities for the first time. "Apple will be in the catbird seat to see how the Verizon network performs," said Richard Doherty, president of the research firm Envisioneering Group.
Mr. Doherty believes companies and families may prefer Verizon Wireless's hotspot to AT&T's built-in 3G, because they could cut their data costs by sharing access. "The Verizon data plan has to got get people at AT&T thinking," he said.
Verizon Wireless's iPad/MiFi bundle is priced the same as iPads with AT&T's 3G service, ranging from $630 to $830 depending on the size of the devuce's memory. AT&T offers a cellular data plan with a 250 megabyte limit for $15 a month, and a 2 gigabyte cap for $25 a month.

[pjorourke]

Actually, it makes more sense to buy a Mi-Fi device and a wi-fi iPad than it does a 3G iPad. The extra device costs about the same as the incremental cost of the 3G iPad and you get something you can use with a laptop if you need to take that.

[BigEddie]

Thanks for letting us know about something that is being reported every where. Maybe tomorrow you can make a post about the new washer and dryer Whirlpool is announcing.

[pjorourke]

Originally Posted by BigEddie

Thanks for letting us know about something that is being reported every where. Maybe tomorrow you can make a post about the new washer and dryer Whirlpool is announcing.

Nice first post on this forum. You have made such a lovely impression on everyone.

FYI, there was a thread on here a few weeks ago about iPads. So it is a subject of interest in the forum. If you thought before shooting your mouth off, you might have noticed that.

[Camille]

Originally Posted by BigEddie

Thanks for letting us know about something that is being reported every where. Maybe tomorrow you can make a post about the new washer and dryer Whirlpool is announcing.

It was pretty obvious what the topic was going to be about given the headline. You could have just skipped it instead of getting all bent out of shape.

[Camille]

Originally Posted by pjorourke

Actually, it makes more sense to buy a Mi-Fi device and a wi-fi iPad than it does a 3G iPad. The extra device costs about the same as the incremental cost of the 3G iPad and you get something you can use with a laptop if you need to take that.

I'm sort of interested to see how much my bundle price will actually change. I have the data package already so I can use the USB for my laptop (I have a BB)..as pretty well and is convenient. There are always some hidden costs somewhere..even if it's just the one required to tie yourself to Verizon for another 2 yrs.

C x

[macksback]

The jerks from Dallas what do you expect? Dallas is the New York of the south.

[FLWrite]

Ever notice that users with the name "big" in their screen name rarely are? In anything?

[Sa_artman]

Originally Posted by BigEddie

Thanks for letting us know about something that is being reported every where. Maybe tomorrow you can make a post about the new washer and dryer Whirlpool is announcing.

Come down here and I'll redeem it for you.

[Big_Huff]

I can't for the iphone to come to verizon!

[Guest083011]

Verizon's pricing plans are still a little predatory (I'm a 21 year Verizon customer). I had been talking with a tech person at Verizon the other day (I learned how to get internal to the head of an area customer service center), who said if you have contact management tools and calendars the iPhone might be less than wonderful. Can anyone comment pro or con on this? I use a Palm Treo (700P) for the infra-red port (most important for work) and while the Palm management is not great it might be time to give it up (and stay with a Bluetooth to infra-red converter fob). I *think* I am hijacking the thread.

[pjorourke]

Originally Posted by SR Only

Verizon's pricing plans are still a little predatory (I'm a 21 year Verizon customer). I had been talking with a tech person at Verizon the other day (I learned how to get internal to the head of an area customer service center), who said if you have contact management tools and calendars the iPhone might be less than wonderful. Can anyone comment pro or con on this? I use a Palm Treo (700P) for the infra-red port (most important for work) and while the Palm management is not great it might be time to give it up (and stay with a Bluetooth to infra-red converter fob). I *think* I am hijacking the thread.

The thing about the iphone is not any one thing it does. Very few apps on there are so unique that nothing else will do what they do. The thing that is so cool about the iphone is that its all on one device, it works so well together, its easy and it works just the way you'd expect it to -- no learning curve. Bless Steve Job's anal-retentive soul.

[Sa_artman]

Originally Posted by SR Only

Verizon's pricing plans are still a little predatory (I'm a 21 year Verizon customer). I had been talking with a tech person at Verizon the other day (I learned how to get internal to the head of an area customer service center), who said if you have contact management tools and calendars the iPhone might be less than wonderful. Can anyone comment pro or con on this? I use a Palm Treo (700P) for the infra-red port (most important for work) and while the Palm management is not great it might be time to give it up (and stay with a Bluetooth to infra-red converter fob). I *think* I am hijacking the thread.

I was an old Palm Treo user (650) and thought for the life of me I would never give it up until the pavement forced the issue. I guess I'm an official Iphone power use now as I have just about every app that makes my life easier and most do what I need. Logmein is one that comes to mind. Yes, you may have to adapt to a different mindset of management, but once you get the work flow you'll be golden. Btw, infrared ports are sooo last decade.

[ClairJordan]

Very relevant and informative thread. I am getting an ipad at the end of the month, when my Verizon account lets me switch from a USB port to the wifi pad for $60 a month, the same price I am paying now. I've resisted the smart phone thing because the screen is just too small. I'll keep my regular phone and carry the ipad in my purse. Very excited!
Question is, 16-64? How much do I need? I am in sales, so need to be able to pull up graphics. I'll leave my Microsoft Office on my laptop. I don't download music, although I should start. Want to make an initial invesmtent I won't soon outgrow. Any suggestions?

[discreetgent]

Clair, in general max out memory when you can.