iPad 3G Release: Everything You Need To Know (UPDATED)

UPDATE 4/19/2010 9:37 AM ET: Apple has finally shared the official release date for the iPad 3G.

According to new information posted to the Apple Store website, the iPad 3G will ship by May 7. People who pre-ordered the iPad should receive it sometime in late April. Read more about the iPad 3G release here.

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Wondering when you can get your hands on an iPad 3G? (Or if you should spring for it?) We've got answers.

Apple's iPad, which officially hits stores April 3, will be available in a Wi-Fi-only model, as well as a Wi-Fi+3G version.

However, if you're hoping to get the iPad 3G, you'll have to wait until 'late April,' according to Apple (unless you're Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, who's already picked up his 3G iPad).

Note that the iPad 3G's cellular network connection will be available exclusively through AT&T.

More information on the 3G iPad:

Check out this iPad 3G teardown, which shows the inner hardware of the device.

Not sure you want to wait for the iPad 3G? Wired's guide to choosing the right iPad may help.

Gizmodo has a guide to which iPad 3G data plan you should buy.

Comments

[SwingingFromCenter]

11:03 AM on 05/01/2010

I can sum up "everything you need to know" in one sentence:

"It's a pointless toy which serves as a "status symbol" to people easily swayed by bright and shiny marketing campaigns, and does absolutely nothing new over existing Tablet PC's other than restrict and filter content"

[Jesse Astle]

07:29 PM on 05/01/2010

"Now excuse me as I reboot my Tablet PC, it keeps freezing."

[journ student]

01:41 AM on 05/01/2010

I'm sitting tight for awhile until the second- or third-generation comes out and has a few more features. I'd also like to avoid having to deal with AT&T's 3G network. Hopefully the rumored Verizon deal will actually come through.

[ilovecandy]

01:03 AM on 05/01/2010

Someone's not doing their work here, if you think this is an article

[elicourey]

11:25 PM on 04/30/2010

anyone who has an iPhone should just get a WiFi only iPad. you're already paying $30 for unlimited 3G data on that, so you might as well share that connection using the MyWi app. This is also better because you will be able to use apps like the ABC Player, which doesn't work on the iPad's 3G connection. It works when using the iPhone's 3G connection though because your iPad just thinks it's connecting to a WiFi access point. Using MyWi on an iPad will also give you higher quality video on YouTube an Netflix. Check out this article for more details. http://www.macdaddynews.com/?p=2784

[Ty Jones]

08:38 PM on 04/30/2010

WOW. That was your idea of "everything we need to know" ... Amazing reporting HuffPo ... what, all of 60 seconds to write.

[LightShadow62]

06:23 PM on 04/30/2010

I just love all the iSheep bitching about their AT&T service with their iPhone. I've got an HTC phone with 3G and quite often use my 3G when iPhones fail to connect.

A little word of advice, the iPhone and Apple in general are not perfect. Most of the problems that you have with the iPhone are the fault of the iPhone and Apple not AT&T.

[SwingingFromCenter]

11:05 AM on 05/01/2010

Naw, in this one instance I will say it's the fault of AT&T. Their network wasn't built out to support that level of 3G reception. And, ironically, we're already making a transition to 4G, so by the time they have their 3G network built out, they're gonna have to re-do it.

[elicourey]

11:37 AM on 05/01/2010

AT&T's 3G technology has max speeds of 7.2Mbps, that's faster than Sprints 4G. Sprint says their 4G ranges from 3-6Mbps. 3G and 4G are such vague terms, I wish we could just start using actual download speeds to compare networks, because that's what really matters. Why would I want to be on a 4G network if AT&T has a 3G network that is fast? And AT&T's unlimited data with the iPhone is actually unlimited. I used 50gigs last month. Try that with Sprint or Verizon.

[LightShadow62]

11:42 AM on 05/01/2010

My data comes from personal experience traveling all over the country, including those places where the biggest gripes about AT&T come from like New York. Part of the issue is how Apple decided to format there bundles, this is why when every other phone on the market could send multi-media-texts the iPhone could not. It's not AT&T's fault that Apple decided not to use the industry standard data format but they took the blame for it.
I think this differing standard is part of the reason the Verizon turned down the iPhone when it first came out, they didn't think the revenue was worth the bad press that they knew would come and that Apple would not, by contract, let them defend themselves against.
4G, for the most part, is nothing but a marketing tool to get people to buy new hardware. Promising a faster speed than most people get with their land based high-speed is in reality a pipe dream. To promise 1gbps service to every phone connected would mean a T1 line to every cell tower, which isn't going to happen.

[John McCoy]

05:53 PM on 04/30/2010

It is confirmed, you CAN go to the apple store and swap out your original iPad for an iPad 3G by paying the difference. Must have original packaging though.

[nicainmiami]

04:12 PM on 04/30/2010

Everything you need to know about the iPad 3G: It has 3G connectivity, unlike the Wi-Fi version.

Wondering where you can get your hands on a iPad 3G? Uh, apple.com or the Apple Store?

This post wasn't really necessary, but I guess the author of the post had a quota.

[THATSWHATUGET]

04:12 PM on 04/30/2010

OVER PRICED

[LightShadow62]

06:17 PM on 04/30/2010

OVER HYPED!

[SilentSolidarity]

06:31 PM on 04/30/2010

Ha! I'm not an Apple fan. But this thing barely makes revenue to Apple.

[polishlogician]

01:05 AM on 04/05/2010

EVERY SINGLE STORY in the TECH section is about iPad, every single story....

[nicainmiami]

04:13 PM on 04/30/2010

iHuffPo's iTech iPad iNews.

[Jesse Astle]

07:32 PM on 05/01/2010

"This just in! Technology news sites, are reporting on technology! Madness!!"

[quiviran]

12:07 AM on 04/05/2010

Was this supposed to be reporting? Can I get paid for posting three links?

[SteepleAston]

06:29 PM on 04/04/2010

I avoided the 3G model because telecom data charges are grossly overpriced. For example, if I travel to Europe with my iPad or iPhone, based on my current usage, I would be charged $7,650 dollars per month.
This is completely gross and abusive on the part of telecom vendors.

[jkpcguru]

12:18 PM on 04/04/2010

I plan on buying an Ipad soon. I have a hacked Motorola Droid on Verizon with a WiFI tether app. My Droid is essentially a mobile Wifi router. Nana aboo aboo Steve Jobs!

Screw AT&T and the extra $100 cost! My $100 cheaper and monthly fee-less iPad will do exactly the same as its more expensive sibling.

[1jdgriff]

10:23 PM on 04/03/2010

3G on AT&T, it depends on where you are, the system is sketchy at best. Please Apple, work a deal with the other carriers! Especially Verizon.

[mairs]

01:37 AM on 04/04/2010

Amen. Pleez!

No ATT 3G in the capital city of my state. They promised last year. Nothing. Yet Verizon has 3G in even remote towns that don't even have a zip code they're so small.

[WSAY]

12:48 PM on 04/04/2010

I have an iPhone. AT&T is the only thing I hate about it. The minute Verizon and Apple strike a deal, I will switch. Verizon originally rejected Apple's suggestion they make the iPhone on Verizon only. Big mistake, Verizon!

[zbowling]

05:12 PM on 04/03/2010

The iPad 3G is not exclusive to AT&T. Any carrier with Micro-Sim cards can offer service for it on GSM. So T-Mobile works without jail breaking.

[WilliamTheV]

02:21 PM on 04/04/2010

until they release a patch taht bricks any non at&t ipad like they did with the iphone