At least one lucky fellow's 3G iPad arrives a day early

That's right -- you're probably already aware that tomorrow, April 30th at 5PM marks the beginning of retail availability of the 3G version of Apple's iPad, and a lot of those who pre-ordered can expect to receive theirs in the mail tomorrow too. It shouldn't come as a huge surprise, but at least one guy's happy today -- his iPad 3G arrived already! We're sure we'll be seeing way more of these crop up as the day progresses, but for now, here's to the first!


[Thanks, Mike]

[riomendoza Posted Apr 29th 2010 1:07PM]

why no pics of the back.im calling b.s.

[Mach Posted Apr 29th 2010 1:09PM]

@riomendoza You can see the black strip on top.

[Laura June Posted Apr 29th 2010 1:10PM]

@riomendoza fail

[Plazmic Flame Posted Apr 29th 2010 1:12PM]

@riomendoza

You can see 3G at the top..... =|

[riomendoza Posted Apr 29th 2010 1:15PM]

@Mach like its so hard to put a black strip on the top of that. wouldn't you have taken a picture of the back yourself.here ill send you a picture of my wifi ipad with a black strip on it if you want

[SilverSurfer Posted Apr 29th 2010 1:23PM]

@riomendoza

Top right of the 'Pad... AT&T 3G you knob end!

[skyblaze Posted Apr 29th 2010 1:47PM]

@riomendoza

OK... I shall hijack this much misinformed commenter's post and ask my question here since this is a more recent article.

So... would requesting a data only iPad sim (and of course, activating it) allow me to use it with whatever 3G capable AT&T phone i choose with no trouble at all? Or would the higher ups realize it and hunt down my (hypothetical) account and rain on my data-only loophole parade. As far as I know, this would be my only way of going about this... I'm already with T-mo and have no intention of leaving them, but I'd love to expand my options and try out some other stuff without having to pay for an extra phone number that i have absolutely no need for. Any help would be appreciated... though all I can offer at the moment are +1s and internets. Thanks!

[abedinthehouse Posted Apr 29th 2010 1:51PM]

@Laura June
lol I find it hilarious an that even Laura thinks that was fail.

[Eric Tate Posted Apr 29th 2010 2:19PM]

@SilverSurfer I think you mean top left ;-)

[mcdj Posted Apr 29th 2010 2:25PM]

@riomendoza
I could post the cover of the 1969 NY Times announcing the moon walk and some brain donor like you would say "I'm calling BS."

[Eric Tate Posted Apr 29th 2010 2:43PM]

@mcdj lol@braindonor

[skyblaze Posted Apr 29th 2010 3:01PM]

@skyblaze

nobody?

*sigh*... Fair enough. Where's Laura so she can call my comment a fail too

[hfm Posted Apr 29th 2010 3:22PM]

@riomendoza

Does it really matter anyway...

No... Not really...

[JimL Posted Apr 29th 2010 3:26PM]

@SilverSurfer That would be:
Top Left of the 'Pad... AT&T 3G you knob end!

[joeuu Posted Apr 29th 2010 3:53PM]

@Eric Tate Maybe it's his and he's standing behind it? 8^)

[Astounding Posted Apr 29th 2010 5:31PM]

@SilverSurfer Did you mean top left???

[merikdewye Posted Apr 29th 2010 6:56PM]

@skyblaze I’m thinking the 3G preorders were a lot more than expected, and they are scrambling to manufacture more of those than planned, delaying things. Remember AT&T saying they thought iPad wouldn’t affect them much because everyone would be on WiFi? I thought, “Bunk, wait till people see those big Google maps, and iPad navigation apps!”.

There is a lot of 3G demand, more than AT&T – and Apple – thought. Reactions to iPad. http://j.mp/apple-tablet-experience

[Charlik Posted Apr 29th 2010 8:12PM]

@riomendoza Apple isn't the type to plaster 3g is big words on the back so it wouldn't matter anyway. it could be real or fake.

me thinks someone is just making waves cause he didn't get his early. and if he didn't how dare someone else.

[MosesusedaniPad Posted Apr 29th 2010 9:13PM]

@Mach

Woohoo! Christmas in April. The 20-carat diamond in the stocking and not the HP Slate lump of coal.

[Eggie197 Posted Apr 29th 2010 9:56PM]

@skyblaze
I don't think the ipads micro sim would be compatible with standard phones.

[skyblaze Posted Apr 29th 2010 10:38PM]

@Eggie197

Don't blame you for missing this post today... it was at 1 in the morning:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/29/atandts-micro-sim-card-is-the-matryoshka-doll-of-micro-sim-cards/

I too thought that would be an issue till Engadget reported that. Also, the commenters pointed out that adapters are already being sold anyways... since the contacts are in the exact same position.

[JS Posted Apr 30th 2010 1:36AM]

@riomendoza

He better not post that pic .. Apple may send the local police who they bought to bust down his door and steal his computers.

[cafields Posted Apr 30th 2010 4:25AM]

@SilverSurfer
TOP LEFT

[cafields Posted Apr 30th 2010 4:27AM]

@SilverSurfer TOP LEFT

[djk Posted Apr 29th 2010 1:08PM]

LET THE JAILBREAKING BEGIN!!!!!

[SolidSnake Posted Apr 29th 2010 1:13PM]

@djk
Release the hacken!!!!!!

[Plazmic Flame Posted Apr 29th 2010 1:15PM]

@djk

Once there is a jailbreak for the iPad, it will truly become an "appliance" just like Steve Jobs wanted.

1. Jailbreak
2. Put on wifi tethering
3. You now have your home router and unlimited data thanks to AT&T

;)

[Kit Posted Apr 29th 2010 1:20PM]

@djk I thought it's broken already.

[DoctarPeppar Posted Apr 29th 2010 1:23PM]

@Plazmic Flame
I never thought of it that way...that's actually a pretty good idea...
Very good idea, unless they catch on and start throttling it or blocking it alltogether.

[DrDr Posted Apr 29th 2010 1:38PM]

@djk

Let me put it this way, if I had a AT&T 3G iPad with free unlimited data, I would still tether it to my Palm Pre.

[djk Posted Apr 29th 2010 1:49PM]

@DrDr

well if they made it snow, and i could call from this baby!!!! it will be truly magical!!!

[Jean Marc Posted Apr 29th 2010 1:08PM]

you would be foolish not get the 3g version

[drewcovi Posted Apr 29th 2010 1:10PM]

@Jean Marc I am foolish.

[DoctarPeppar Posted Apr 29th 2010 1:10PM]

@Jean Marc
Why? I can tether my ipad with my Verizon Omnia 2 and it works fine. No need for 3g...unless you have an iphone with AT&T which of course has no tethering :P

[Oghowie Posted Apr 29th 2010 1:11PM]

@Jean Marc I'd probably only use this thing at home, so I wouldn't get the 3G.

[TikiTeko Posted Apr 29th 2010 1:15PM]

@Jean Marc Sprint 4G OverDrive BABY!!!!

[Jean Marc Posted Apr 29th 2010 1:18PM]

@Jean Marc the reason i said the 3g version is because of gps, and out here in md there arent many places with free wifi. but to each their own i see your points and understand why you wouldnt get the 3g version

[DoctarPeppar Posted Apr 29th 2010 1:22PM]

@Jean Marc
Bluetooth GPS will work with jailbreak.

[DrDr Posted Apr 29th 2010 1:29PM]

@Jean Marc

I am a $130 + tax richer than you. I also have a phone that can tether over wifi.

I am pissed though because my wifiPad won't get here until Monday because of the stupid 3G preorders.

[Kamalot Posted Apr 29th 2010 1:31PM]

@Jean Marc

You would be foolish TO get the 3G version. You are already carrying a cellphone which can turn into a WiFi hot spot, right? RIGHT?!

[Jaylittles531 Posted Apr 29th 2010 1:42PM]

@Jean Marc

Why not buy a MiFi? Pay a little extra and you can use it on more than 1 device? You would be foolish to buy a 3G!!!!

[Jaylittles531 Posted Apr 29th 2010 1:44PM]

@DrDr

3G preorders have nothing to do with Wifi iPads.... Its the screen that is holding them up!

[DateFling Posted Apr 29th 2010 2:19PM]

@Jaylittles531 MiFi will cost you. I think it was like a $60/month and with a 5GB cap compared to AT&T $30 for unlimited. Still sucks that AT&T will charge us yet for another data plan when you are already paying for one on your iPhone.

[malexandria1 Posted Apr 29th 2010 3:14PM]

@Jaylittles531 Because the MiFi is capped at 5G. I wish people would realize that and stop talking about the MiFi as though it's the greatest thing in the world. As long as it's capped it will always be a gimped device.

[Siphili Posted Apr 29th 2010 8:04PM]

@Jaylittles531 Finally. Some1 that has a clue. !!!!!

[Cptnpicard Posted Apr 29th 2010 1:11PM]

I'm calling B.S as well. Unless this guy works for Fed Ex or U.P.S

[scoobydooby Posted Apr 29th 2010 1:11PM]

And you don't even need to pay $30, you just swap the sim out of your $80/month iPhone... oh wait...

[Plazmic Flame Posted Apr 29th 2010 1:16PM]

@scoobydooby

http://microsim-shop.com/

[hikeskool Posted Apr 29th 2010 1:11PM]

This is not news.

[iDamien Posted Apr 29th 2010 1:13PM]

@hikeskool

Seriously. They might as well put the "Breaking" news tag.