iPad 3G denies ABC player, downsamples iTunes store video previews over AT&T
By Ross Miller 
posted April 30th 2010 7:07PM
posted April 30th 2010 7:07PM
posted April 30th 2010 7:07PM
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Typical AT&T
@Stevenk
Seriously though guys, what did you expect? The quality of those ABC streams is quite high and it would probably take ages to load. Then there's the fact it would kill AT&T.
I wonder how it'll be over here in the UK.
@Stevenk
Directions for purchasing an iPad:
1. Wait until jailbreak
2. Purchase
2. Download 3G Unrestrictor to acces what you want, when you want.
3. Download MyWi
4. Use as source of internet to download terrabytes or videos to slap them in the face.
@Stevenk
Everyone should know by now that 3G should only be considered as a supplement to Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi will always be faster than a cell network (especially an AT&T cell network). Why doesn't this seem like common knowledge?
@Stevenk
no, I blame Apple for notannouncing this during their 'magic' conference, they knew if reviewers found out about this, iPad would be trashed.
Hence releasing the WIFI ones first, while Never never bring up this.
I feel sorry for all the early adapters for 3G edition
@webran61
Umm..they stream fine over a tethered 3G connection.
@kingofwale
Yeah, keep blaming Apple for the limitation implemented by AT&T.
@rutter9 i do the EXACT same thing for my iPhone 3GS. Last month i downloaded over 130 Gigs on 3G!
It got to the point that i actually received a call from AT&T asking that i "Limit my data usage on the 3G network to allow for more critical information to be handled"
@Stevenk why complain if you can change your provider? Are you surprised they are not giving you what you already paid for?
@Stevenk
Actually Apple announced a while ago that for a video-streaming service to be allowed over 3G it must be capable of adjusting the bit-rate depending on network conditions. (That's when Sling 3G was approved) Most likely the ABC player doesn't support this yet. The downsampeling is just to make it not need to buffer, and so that it wont clog the cellular waves. The ABC player not working is no ones fault but ABCs.
@macmann Well I seriously doubt the ABC app will work over here (UK), but the iPlayer seems to be ok on the iPhone so fingers crossed.
@Stevenk
Haha, did that really happen? That's funny if true!
@r34p3r Yes it did! im going to try to piss them off even more this month by downloading an extra 100 Gigs or so haha....i have it all running on my jailbroken iPhone using backgrounder, My3G and a downloader app!
@Stevenk
If it doesn't work over 3G, they blew it.
@Stevenk You know I'm starting to think Sprint knew it would work out like this since their Overdrive iPad ads are starting to look pretty good about now...
LMAO
@d0mth0ma5
Yeah but the iPlayer has never played on 3G, so I guess that's a good comparison.
@dmgabe apple went with at&t. So it is there fault
@Stevenk : Hey cool kids, return that iPad 3G (for a wifi only version) and get Sprint Overdrive with 4G and live happy and free. :)
@webran61
I agree...mostly. I disagree with the "especially AT&T's cell network" part. AT&T's 3G network may be a small footprint but I gotta say, it's freakin fast. I can't believe how fast songs download from the iTunes Store on my iPhone. And I live in NYC. Verizon's 3G footprint is huge (which is a plus), but it wasn't as fast for me as AT&T's.
But seriously guys, why are you using your iPad to stream videos on the go? I mean are you freakin kidding me? You're just gonna break out your big ol' iPad when you're waiting in line at the post office, because you wanna catch an episode of Desperate Housewives? LOL
I agree that the restrictions on network use are a little stupid, especially in 2010. But let's be fair. As fast as technology has advanced in the last 10 years, it hasn't advanced as much, or as fast as the demands we place on the cellular network in the age of smartphones, and the iPhone/iPad in particular. We never used cellular data on handheld devices this much before the iPhone hit the scene. Let's get some perspective. It's easy to throw down a little money to pick up an iPhone. It's not as easy to throw down many billions of dollars (and coordinating hundreds of technicians in a thousand markets) to upgrade the network that has to support millions of people who own iPhones.
Ya, Apple products are way easier then PC...
@webran61
Yeah, for best user experience, Apple and AT&T will decide what you can see over 3G connection.
Do Jobs have to put thought on 3G? You need to just accept.
lol...... send from my T-mobile HD2.
@rowehc
That is like blaming GM for your high gas bill since they chose to use a gasoline engine instead diesel.
To blame a company for the shortcomings of a secondary service provider is just idiotic. It is the fault of AT&T and the video providers and no one else.
@Stevenk
I think there's a point behind this, though. I tried to watch an episode on ABC.com as I was riding the Acela train from Boston to NYC last month, and there was pleeeeenty of buffering. (And I was tethering using Verizon!)
We all hate you AT&T!!!! This is not helping at all!!!
@Stevenk Solution: iPad Wi-Fi only model; Sprint 3G/4G Hotspot or CLEAR 4G only.
@Mac Daddy
+1
@Stevenk So you'll degrade everyone else's service to assert yourself as a complete doichebag. Good for you!
@tekdemon Great if you get 4G in your area, it has worst coverage then AT&T 3G.
@webran61 EVERYONE SHOULD BLAME THEMSELVES FOR BUYING THAT OVER PRICED PIECE OF CRAP
@rutter9
5. PROFIT!
@Stevenk
Nice. Continues to be significantly worse than a regular netbook at now twice the price. Genius.
@Stevenk 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. Reasons to get and not get the ipad? http://j.mp/apple-tablet-experience
@kingofwale
They have also lost a sale from me. Forget it, I'll just keep using my existing phone or perhaps use the iPad money to buy a Nexus One or something. Thanks AT&T.
@raiden8383 The fact that none of these apps works on the HD2 is another matter. In fact there is very little you can do with the HD2 other than stare at the big weather screen. LOL
@Stevenk
I WOULD NOT USE AT&T READ this:
AT&T asks government to create national censorwall and system for disconnecting accused infringers: http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2010/04/att-calls-for-us-3-strikes-tribunal-web-censorship.ars?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss
Do not permit them to violate internet neutrality.
@Stevenk and you wonder why AT&T blocks things like this and doesn't allow tethering. Save some bandwidth for the rest of us! Use that Wifi sometimes.
@bjsguess
I have been sayin the same thing forever! My little $250 netbook continues to amaze me every time I read about the Ipad! It is just so much fun watching the apple lemmings get abused over and over again! You almost feel bad for them until you see them trying to defend it desperately and then you realize they deserve it! LOL The fact that I have compatibility with the Iphone and Ipod and the Ipad doesn't really should say it all..Not to mention I have 3 usb ports and I didn't have to pay for one because they were included! Wow that's gotta hurt even though we know they'll never admit it!!
@Stevenk Yea, stop downloading so much porn to your iphone already! Let others also have some bandwith for their porn...
@rutter9 3g unrestrictor is pretty much the only reason I still keep my phone jailbroken.
@Kaibelf thats his right. He paid for it. Its At&t who is cheating and making false promises. They dont want to invest in infrastructure....
why do you want to settle for less than what you deserve? Should customers be the only ones to honor the "terms and conditions"?
He's just saying NO MORE....
@Stevenk Typical Apple. This is like watching Charlie Brown try to kick that football over and over and over and over.
@dmgabe
Which company picked AT&T as the 3G provider for the iPad?
@cardfan
I thought the ipad couldnt be tethered?
or was that just to iphones...
@KenEsq
looking at some of the ipad owners reactions, definitely not apple!!
@One Love
5GB cap on 3G which you will be connected to the majority of the time since 4G is only availiable in Major cities and only a select few states.
Hardly a viable solution for people not in those states nor those cities.
@rutter9 Quicker instructions for purchasing an iPad.
1. Buy a Wifi iPad.
2. Buy Sprint Overdrive (on way home from Apple store)
Why wait for a Jailbreak to get 3G when you can have ABC Player over 4G today?
@Stevenk It's also the responsible thing to do and an admission their network can't handle it. People saying it works fine over a jailbroken tethered device, do you think 100,000+ users are doing it at the same time?
Youtube is ok because people typically don't watch half hour shows on it and the data rates are pretty low. Forcing users who might not even know what 3G is, to use wifi is sensible as it lightens the network load to benefit people using 3G for small data like email and browsing and it ensures those people get a better video experience.
One day we'll have ubiquitous wifi and it won't be an issue. The closest we have is Sprint but again I bet their network can't handle a heavy load either.
@kingofwale They also announced a 250MB per month data plan... I wouldn't want to stream too many fat videos then use up my subscription. I'm curious to see how the $15 data plan is working out in the next month... if they throttle it's only to make your $15 go further.
Aren't you glad you paid that extra 130 and data plan?