3G service???

[beckiet]

My Ipad is sitting at Fed Ex-I missed them delivering it today-so I'll go get it this evening. Anyway-I plan to pay for the 3G service. At first I thought I'd pay the $30 a month for unlimited-but now I'm wondering, if I'm in a wifi hotspot, does it use the wifi?? Or will it use the 3G network? KWIM? I know I will OFTEN be in a wifi hotspot (HOME!)....but if it just automatically goes to the 3G network, I should probably just pay for the unlimited. What are YOU doing?

 

[poloponies]

If you're in WiFi range it automatically seeks WiFi over 3G. I have a Verizon 3G MiFi from work that I use when I'm out of WiFi range. I got the 3G iPad mostly for 3G use overseas. My wife, on the other hand, uses her 3G mostly for email and lite surfing and has yet to hit her 250MB maximum after a few weeks, so she'll probably stick with that. If I didn't already have the MiFi, I'd go for the $30 a month service.

 

[Jaro65]

I got the $30 unlimited service so I can use as much data as I need while on weekend trips. The iPad is really useful on the road.

 

[antiprotest]

You can turn WIFI and 3G on or off independently. If you turn on both the iPad can be set to join the WIFI network automatically. That is, if you have joined the WIFI at home and entered the password, etc., it will just use the WIFI when you are at home.

 

[random person]

Is there a significant hit to battery life if you leave 3G turned on but use wifi almost exclusively? I'm thinking of doing this "just in case" rather than having to switch settings on and off, but I won't do it if the battery drain is significant.

 

[DannyNguyener]

Is there a significant hit to battery life if you leave 3G turned on but use wifi almost exclusively? I'm thinking of doing this "just in case" rather than having to switch settings on and off, but I won't do it if the battery drain is significant.

I got a 3G. When I'm at home Im on my home wifi network. The minute I leave the house, and there is no more wifi around me, 3G automatically connects when you need the internet. I keep both on all day, for convienence. I don't think it takes a significant hit to your battery life. Mine works like a charm.

 

[random person]

I got a 3G. When I'm at home Im on my home wifi network. The minute I leave the house, and there is no more wifi around me, 3G automatically connects when you need the internet. I keep both on all day, for convienence. I don't think it takes a significant hit to your battery life. Mine works like a charm.

Thanks Danny -- just what I hoped to hear!