• TV
  • MOVIES
  • MUSIC
  • SHOWBIZ
  • SOAPS
  • GAMING
  • TECH
  • FORUMS
  • Follow
    • Follow
    • facebook
    • twitter
    • google+
    • instagram
    • youtube
Hearst Corporation
  • TV
  • MOVIES
  • MUSIC
  • SHOWBIZ
  • SOAPS
  • GAMING
  • TECH
  • FORUMS
Forums
  • Register
  • Login
  • Forums
  • Gadgets
  • Tablets and e-Readers
iPad 3 and tethering
player1
11-01-2012
I am anxiously awaiting the iPad 3 and will buy my first tablet then. I already have an iPhone 4 on Vodaphone. Is there any advantage to buying a 3G iPad or should I simply tether a wireless iPad to my iPhone ( now Vodaphone has price plans which support ) ?
It looks like the price differential is £100 ( at least on current models ).

Would a 3G iPad work without a sim ( tethered ) if I decided to buy the ( initially unused ) 3G capability ?
Roush
11-01-2012
Assuming it's anything like the current iPad it will work fine on a personal hotspot, but Vodafone are known to throttle data speeds for non tablet / dongle plans.
paulbrock
11-01-2012
On the surface, I see little advantage in having a built in data connection on a tablet when you have a ready made one in your pocket, particularly if you're paying £50-£100 extra for the privilege. iPad 3 isn't expected till later in the year though is it?
Matt D
12-01-2012
If you have a smartphone and a plan which has tethering, then I see no point at all in spending another £100 on a 3G model, unless you really really want GPS (which only the 3G model has).

I'm perfectly happy having only WiFi on my iPad 2. On the rare occasion when I don't have WiFi, I just tether it to my phone...


Paul - It's "expected" in March or April. It would fit with the previous two releases (April 2010, March 2011), and is what all the "sources in the supply chain" have allegedly been saying.
MAW
12-01-2012
If your tethered device is an iPhone 4 or above, tethering also transfers live GPS data. So no advantage whatsoever apart from the minor inconvenience of starting personal hotspot. The GPS data is usable even if there's no 3G, or indeed mobile signal of any sort. I have Imray marine charts on my wi fi only iPad, the position is imposed on the chart no matter where you are.
daz_f
15-01-2012
i use a vodafone mifi to get on the net imo miles better than the 3g model plus advange is you can connect more than 1 on it
hotmat3k
15-01-2012
If you can afford the 3G version = get a 3 iPad one-month rolling contract.
If you get Wi-fi and don't intent to use it on the road a lot = Tether it .

Rumours for the iPad 3 are March/April 2012 at the moment. Can't wait to replace my original iPad!
stephen122333
15-01-2012
just tether,
unless you are going to use your ipad out and about alot, and then only because of the battery drain on your phone.

when I brought my ipad1, I brought the 3G version, so that I could use it out and about if I wanted to, I knew I would not use it much, and I only used it a few times. Then when I upgraded to the 4s and ipad2 I brought the wifi only version of the ipad, saving about £100.

(I am on o2, and tethering is allowed and part of my contract.)
player1
16-01-2012
Thanks all..I won't be a massive "on the road" user so I think I'll tether. Vodaphone price plans now allow tethering and although my current plan pre-dates tethering it seems I can change plans without extending contract.
Good points on GPS, I hadn't considered that, but it looks from the responses like GPS data will transfer just fine via tethering.
I'd go out and buy an ipad now but have waited a few months , hopefully not too much longer till iPad3
red_g00ner
17-01-2012
Not sure what the iPhone is like, but on my android phone when Tethering is enabled is canes the battery life.

Which is why l went for the 3G Galaxy Tab 10.1
VIEW DESKTOP SITE TOP

JOIN US HERE

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Hearst Corporation

Hearst Corporation

DIGITAL SPY, PART OF THE HEARST UK ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK

© 2015 Hearst Magazines UK is the trading name of the National Magazine Company Ltd, 72 Broadwick Street, London, W1F 9EP. Registered in England 112955. All rights reserved.

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Complaints
  • Site Map