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
Apple iPad 3rd-gen
Apple iPad
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I'm so glad that in Austria there are no such restrictions. And the HSPA Networks just do fine. I'm not getting an iPad but if i would ever change my mind, i just have to pay 4 euros a month extra for a third simcard (first is in my mobile, second in the 3G capable laptop) to use my 21 Euro mobile flat with it.
It's a shame that the iPad is bound to one (and seemingly not the one with the best 3g coverage) in the US.
@WiesiAut Being from Austria does not make you smarter. The iPad 3G is not bound to any GSM Network. It has no Simlock and can be used on any GSM-Network, just insert a sim (microsim format) of your choice.
@barbengo
ok i was misled by the explicit mentioning of AT&T in the article and most comments.
But than it has this restrictions on every network?
I would consider this a very bad choice, because there are providers (even in the US, i think) who are able to serve enough bandwith for streaming higher quality videos.
Another step away from network neutrality...
George Bu...videophiles don't care about iPads.
When I read the comment from one of ATT head honchos that he expected most folks to use it's wifi network I decided that if I purchased an ipad it would be wifi only. The ATT folks shrunk a potential problem to fit an "off the rack" solution. In business, you plan for worse case. As it stands ATT did a horrid job of managing expectations. It would have been a much better public relations move to not charge a premium up front, allow for a free trial period. Engadget readers probably anticipated these 3g issues but that leaves at least a handfull (sorry Josh) of folks who are not.
i dont see why you need to stream ABC over 3G anyway? the quality would be crap on a screen that big.... a download and play feature would be better not streaming!
Lol typical. Maybe Apple will release an ABC Player 3G Connection Kit for $39.99. Magical.
Where are the "Apple would only build a GSM device" fanboys this morning? You think they'd be out to defend Apple on this. Let me render your arguments null and void. Would you rather see Apple continue on the world's worst GSM network or would you rather see them be on the world's best CDMA network? Don't give me the "dead end technology" cliche either... CDMA was so dead end that the GSM Group called in Qualcomm to add CDMA to GSM to get UMTS. Likewise, Qualcomm was also called in to have the leading role in developing LTE. That doesn't sound like "dead end technology" to me. Remember 3G GSM = UMTS = Wideband CDMA.
It's not that much of a jump to add CDMA to an iDevice... far less of one than the PowerPC > Intel switch. We're talking in terms of swapping out one chip, the baseband. My guts tell me that CDMA prototypes of all iPhones are locked away in Apple labs in Cupertino.
Since technolgy is fashion, I'm inviting all you iPad users to weigh in on the fashion you would like to carry your iPad. Would you like to have a padded, water-proof pocket in your messenger or tote? or do you prefer to have a small, sleek, iPad-only carrying case so the world knows you are a technology fashionista? Can't wait to hear from you!
The blind hatred for all things AT&T is humorous to read. So it downsamples video from netflix, and won't play ABC streaming, and this is somehow pissing you off enough to post?
You people really need to find a constructive hobby.
Click Bait.
No mention in the article that the rumor is that ABC has a contractual agreement with Verizon for exclusive 3G streaming of their content. It's not confirmed, but it seems strong enough that Engaget should have included it in their article.
Is Engadget trying to out-do Gizmodo as the king of non-journalists?
Aren't you people aware that the DEVELOPER is the one who makes an app not stream over 3G? They have to compile it to enable 3G - AT&T doesn't turn that on and off at the office. If the ABC Player app doesn't work on 3G, it's because the developers made it so.
Also, the Netflix app is working as it should - anyone who uses Netflix can attest to the fact that the service downsamples according to the available bandwidth. On any device. Which is why I had 320x240 quality video on my Xbox 360 when Netflix first activated the service and everybody was trying it out.
If you want to hate on AT&T for their 3G service not being fast enough to stream HD video from Netflix, so be it, but you shouldn't just start raising hell and making accusations about things you don't understand in the first place.
Sheesh
You know I should gave followed my first mind, and purchased the 64 gig wifi only version and purchased a mifi gsm model, as I knew the main apps that's I wanted to use wasn't going to be supported as Apple always does. Be it At&t or Apple the "ABC" app is false advertisement that we all should attempt to sue for...how in the heck can they claim that you can watch your favorite TV shows anytime anywhere, but you can't watch over 3G. That's plain stupid, and the main reason why people get upset with Apple.