3G iPads Shipping Already?
Tuaw, reported this morning, that several “soon-to-be” iPad 3G owners have received emails from Apple stating their iPad 3Gs have been shipped. According to the report, the emails show an estimated delivery time of 4:30PM on April 29, which is much earlier than the official April 30th release date!
Some of our readers have also emailed us. It looks like not everyone has received yet the “shipment” email. Those of us who pre-ordered the iPad 3G have been eagerly awaiting for any hints that our toy will arrive by the promised April 30th deadline. At least for now, my order status on the Apple Store still shows “Prepared for Shipment.” I’m still waiting on a Fed-Ex tracking number, however it is a step in the right direction.
Can Apple deliver on the April 30th deadline? This morning, I contacted the Apple Store, and I was told by the representative that an April 30th delivery date is guaranteed.
iPad 3G Data Plans Unveiled
at&t finally unveiled the details around its 3G data plans for the iPad. Beyond the basic options that were presented during the iPad announcement ($14.99/mo for 250MB of data transfers or 29.99/mo for unlimited data transfers, both with unlimited access to at&t’s WiFi hotspots), at&t gives more details on how the cheaper plan will actually work.
For the 250MB plan, the iPad will monitor the amount of data carried over at&t’s network, and will remind you at regular intervals about how close you are from reaching the 250MB limit. The reminders are currently set at 20% of your limit, 10% of your limit, as well as 0% (limit reached). Note that the iPad will give you the option to buy an additional 250MB for data transfers, if you happen to reach your limit too quickly. You will also be offered to switch to the unlimited data plan.
Note that in any case, the plans will be without any contract, which is good news. Based on the amount of data our iPads moved over the last weeks, and if you happen to be on the go more often than not, we strongly believe that reaching the 250MB cap can be done in a matter of days, so think wisely before you pick your plan: if you pick the 250MB plan and happen to reach your limit too quickly, buying an additional 250MB will take your monthly cost to the same level as the unlimited plan.