iPad 3G works on T-Mobile, can be hacked to send text messages

Here's a pair of interesting iPad 3G hacks for your lazy Sunday -- first, Apple's tablet is apparently unlocked out of the factory, so trimming a T-Mobile SIM to micro SIM size will get you up and running on EDGE with no further hassle. Not terribly useful in the States, but good news for Europeans who'll have several carrier options right out the gate. Secondly, MuscleNerd of the Dev Team has discovered it's apparently possible to send text messages from a jailbroken 3G iPad using a T-Mobile or non-iPad AT&T SIM -- the stock AT&T SIM restricts SMS and calls, apparently. Check videos of both hacks after the break.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[Mr Good Kat Posted May 2nd 2010 6:20PM]

I have no interest in the iPad but really??? you can't even text on the iPad over ATT's 3G. This thing is majorly gimped.

[jeff181995 Posted May 2nd 2010 7:53PM]

@Mr Good Kat OMG a tablet computer can't even send SMS?!

It's not a phone genius

[ComeShot Posted May 2nd 2010 6:26PM]

Tell us when you get android on the iPad, then you will have a news worthy article Engadget.

[felipedeeznuts Posted May 2nd 2010 7:35PM]

@ComeShot in your face.

[derrty Posted May 3rd 2010 8:51AM]

@ComeShot taste nice

[Island219 Posted May 2nd 2010 6:48PM]

Yay new iPhone can take normal somcards -sarcasm- BIG WHOOP

[Stevenk Posted May 2nd 2010 6:58PM]

@Vaio Could you please send your Avatar image to thisisit (First Comment)

I think it would help us all out!

[DirtySocks85 Posted May 2nd 2010 7:30PM]

@Oscar

T-Mobile has 3G in the US too, but it's on a different band than AT&T, do the hardware isn't compatible.

[Charlik Posted May 2nd 2010 7:40PM]

"first, Apple's tablet is apparently unlocked out of the factory,"

not sure why Engadget is surprised. Apple announced the lack of a sim lock when they announced the tablet. making it a none fact that any GSM carrier supporting the appropriate bands and microsims was good to go.

[johnbailon Posted May 2nd 2010 9:39PM]

I'm in the Philippines and I got one of our local telcos (Smart) to work on my iPad 3G. It's on a prepaid account that does 3G. I'm glad I waited for the 3G version of the iPad (plus the GPS!) http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnbailon/4569940470/

[JakeInDC Posted May 2nd 2010 10:07PM]

text messaging on an ipad?

MAGICAL!!!!

[snowboarder Posted May 2nd 2010 10:43PM]

I have spotted the ipad here in the Philippines, not sure if it was a 3G version however..

[FORDY Posted May 3rd 2010 6:47AM]

YES! The supersize phone I always wanted :P

[meatball Posted May 3rd 2010 7:08AM]

Where I live - T-Mobiles 2.75G EDGE is faster and more reliable than at&t's 3G by a long mile.

[derrty Posted May 3rd 2010 8:53AM]

Yay I'd always wanted a bigger phone...

[jmiotto Posted May 3rd 2010 10:27AM]

and.......?

[fowenati Posted May 3rd 2010 6:31PM]

@Stevenk
That was my suggestion. COPYCAT, dont believe me, GO LOOK. but i agree with u. that avatar pwns.

[Garst Posted May 4th 2010 9:29PM]

That second video must be what it's like at an Apple drool-fest. dadadat! dadadat! dadadat! Very annoying!