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All iPads Do you go for Wi-Fi only or cellular for your iPad

Which iPad do you go with?

  • Wi-Fi

    Votes: 183 60.4%

  • Cellular

    Votes: 120 39.6%
  • Total voters
    303
Had Cellular when I purchased The iPad 1st Generation on the original data plan.

Kept it on every iPad since, up to my Present iPad Pro 12.9 2018. I also always get the cellular Apple watch .... waiting for Series 8
 
I bought a cellular iPad Pro 11” but never use that feature since it’s just as easy to use my phone’s hotspot. Will go with wi-fi models from now on.
 
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3Rock said:
The point is if you lose your power like many in Florida with hurricanes, you will thank goodness that you had cellular service.
Click to expand...
I live in Florida and I still buy the WiFi iPads. That’s what cellphones are for. Besides, cellphones are getting bigger so an iPad becomes redundant. If I wanted to use my iPad outside I can create a hotspot with my phone.
 
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Cellular. I use the iPad way more than the iPhone (like 90% iPad : 10% iPhone). Hotspot that disconnects every time the devices go to sleep for a short while and takes several seconds to reconnect (assuming it doesn't run into problems) is not gonna cut it.
 
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Cellular Mini 6. With Voip app, it doubles for all phone (with buds) and texting needs too. So I have no phone- just Mini 6. Phone functions work fine in wifi zones (where I am most of the time) and via cellular when out and about. One device for ALL of my mobile needs is terrific! Much less expensive this way too.

Many seem to think this can't possibly work but it works just fine. There's plenty of apps for that (phone/text) just as there's apps to make these things replace flashlights, tape measures, cameras, recording decks, etc.
 
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HobeSoundDarryl said:
Cellular Mini 6. With Voip app, it doubles for all phone (with buds) and texting needs too. So I have no phone- just Mini 6. Phone functions work fine in wifi zones (where I am most of the time) and via cellular when out and about. One device for ALL of my mobile needs is terrific! Much less expensive this way too.

Many seem to think this can't possibly work but it works just fine. There's plenty of apps for that (phone/text) just as there's apps to make these things replace flashlights, tape measures, cameras, recording decks, etc.
Click to expand...
How does it work for emergancy services though?
 
In 5 decades, I've never had to dial 911 ONE time. This is the most common pushback I get about my choice of how to use Apple tech, and I would bet that MOST people with iPhone have never needed 911 service.

That said though, I have set it up to give me a speed dial to local services, so I hit ONE button instead of three if I ever need Police, Fire, Ambulance. At home, I have one-push buttons for the same on the alarm system and the home phones (which share the same VOIP line) have speed dial for such services too.

So my real risk along those lines is being AWAY from home, potentially being in some kind of situation where I need those kinds of services and needing to do a quick search to identify the nearest ones. That would take a bit more time than clicking 3 buttons... but, how many truly solo emergencies are there in the world? If others are involved, they will be dialing 911 too.

Besides, we all have Siri... and we know a Siri request will connect us as fast as possible. :eek:

My car also has emergency services, so if the event involves the car. I can push one button there.

My choice is not for everyone. As in all things, there are certain tradeoffs. For example, Watch and CarPlay are designed to just about HAVE to be married to iPhone. So if one values either of those, my way is probably not going to work for them. In my case, I wear a traditional watch and can do all my watch app-like things on the bigger Mini screen that is with me anyway. And my car's stock system covers the core CarPlay things I would want to use: map directions over speakers, music playlists, calling with the car's buttons, etc.

I could easily rationalize having a phone (too) but I just don't think I need one. VOIP app makes iPad Mini a great phone (with buds) and I otherwise have a bigger screen running the same apps on the same A15 for much less cost (service and (less regular) upgrades). Some tradeoffs are tangible, but I choose to make them for the benefits I get.
 
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HobeSoundDarryl said:
In 5 decades, I've never had to dial 911 ONE time. This is the most common pushback I get about my choice of how to use Apple tech, and I would bet that MOST people with iPhone have never needed 911 service.

That said though, I have set it up to give me a speed dial to local services, so I hit ONE button instead of three if I ever need Police, Fire, Ambulance. At home, I have one-push buttons for the same on the alarm system and the home phones (which share the same VOIP line) have speed dial for such services too.

So my real risk along those lines is being AWAY from home, potentially being in some kind of situation where I need those kinds of services and needing to do a quick search to identify the nearest ones. That would take a bit more time than clicking 3 buttons... but, how many truly solo emergencies are there in the world? If others are involved, they will be dialing 911 too.

Besides, we all have Siri... and we know a Siri request will connect us as fast as possible. :eek:

My car also has emergency services, so if the event involves the car. I can push one button there.

My choice is not for everyone. As in all things, there are certain tradeoffs. For example, Watch and CarPlay are designed to just about HAVE to be married to iPhone. So if one values either of those, my way is probably not going to work for them. In my case, I wear a traditional watch and can do all my watch-app like things on the bigger Mini screen that is with me anyway. And my car's stock system covers the core CarPlay things I would want to use: map directions over speakers, music playlists, calling with the car's buttons, etc.

I could easily rationalize having a phone (too) but I just don't think I need one. VOIP app makes iPad Mini a great phone (with buds) and I otherwise have a bigger screen running the same apps on the same A15 for much less cost (service and (less regular) upgrades). Some tradeoffs are tangible, but I choose to make them for the benefits I get.
Click to expand...

What does owning an iPhone have to do with needing to call emergency services?
 
HobeSoundDarryl said:
In 5 decades, I've never had to dial 911 ONE time. This is the most common pushback I get about my choice of how to use Apple tech, and I would bet that MOST people with iPhone have never needed 911 service.

That said though, I have set it up to give me a speed dial to local services, so I hit ONE button instead of three if I ever need Police, Fire, Ambulance. At home, I have one-push buttons for the same on the alarm system and the home phones (which share the same VOIP line) have speed dial for such services too.

So my real risk along those lines is being AWAY from home, potentially being in some kind of situation where I need those kinds of services and needing to do a quick search to identify the nearest ones. That would take a bit more time than clicking 3 buttons... but, how many truly solo emergencies are there in the world? If others are involved, they will be dialing 911 too.

Besides, we all have Siri... and we know a Siri request will connect us as fast as possible. :eek:

My car also has emergency services, so if the event involves the car. I can push one button there.

My choice is not for everyone. As in all things, there are certain tradeoffs. For example, Watch and CarPlay are designed to just about HAVE to be married to iPhone. So if one values either of those, my way is probably not going to work for them. In my case, I wear a traditional watch and can do all my watch-app like things on the bigger Mini screen that is with me anyway. And my car's stock system covers the core CarPlay things I would want to use: map directions over speakers, music playlists, calling with the car's buttons, etc.

I could easily rationalize having a phone (too) but I just don't think I need one. VOIP app makes iPad Mini a great phone (with buds) and I otherwise have a bigger screen running the same apps on the same A15 for much less cost (service and (less regular) upgrades). Some tradeoffs are tangible, but I choose to make them for the benefits I get.
Click to expand...

what do you use for your main voip app?
 
Harmonious Zen said:
Why can’t you just use your iPhone in that situation?
Click to expand...

Not in Florida but I've experienced some multi-day outages. I'd be saving the iPhone's battery (+ battery pack) for emergencies while I could continue to use the iPad for entertainment.
 
Harmonious Zen said:
what do you use for your main voip app?
Click to expand...

I like Google Voice (app): free everything and, paired with an Obihai box, the same GV line works with home alarm system, the increasingly rare fax need and home phones too. When my number is called both home phones and iPad Mini "ring." When I make a call with home phones, it will register as a call as if I made it using GV on the mini. People on the other end of calls or texts can't tell any difference.

My Macs can access the GV website and I can make calls and text from Macs too. I actually prefer that since I get to use a full-sized keyboard. Much of my work is in front of a screen anyway, so a lot of my texting is covered on Macs.

I've also used Talkatone here and there and really like it. If GV folded or I was anti-Google everything, I would probably just use Talkatone all of the time.

For a few years, I had a Comcast bundle that included their Voice service. Their app was pretty good too. When they did that Comcast thing- price hike- I finally dumped them and went for it with GV... and have been quite happy with that for many years now. If Comcast didn't jack the price, I might still be with them, paying a bit for Voice service and using their app. Instead, I seem to be getting at least as good Voice/Texting service over the very same "pipe" without giving Comcast that fee. Admittedly, I'm shocked that it's all as good as it is for $0.
 
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Always gotten the cellular models, I travel a lot with my job, and the wifi at the bunkhouse I frequently stay at for 12-20 hours at a time is basically non usable. rather then drain my phone battery using a hot spot, I rather just use the data I have readily available on the iPad. I also find the hotspot not nearly as quick
 
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@TwitchyPuppy They specifically say not to use VOIPs for 911.

I mean, at least he's thought about it though and has some other options, hope other people doing the same have put as much thought into it. Only had to use it three months ago myself and two other times in the last five years. There's been other times in the last few decades, so the pushback isn't to be hostile of his choice, we just have legitimate concern.
 
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HobeSoundDarryl said:
In 5 decades, I've never had to dial 911 ONE time. This is the most common pushback I get about my choice of how to use Apple tech, and I would bet that MOST people with iPhone have never needed 911 service.

That said though, I have set it up to give me a speed dial to local services, so I hit ONE button instead of three if I ever need Police, Fire, Ambulance. At home, I have one-push buttons for the same on the alarm system and the home phones (which share the same VOIP line) have speed dial for such services too.
Click to expand...
I have called 911 from my house 3 times. Normally my iPhone uses wifi-calling, as my cellular reception is very poor.
However, everytime I have called 911 my iPhone immediately switches to cellular, which is actually pretty annoying as the call breaks up and I have to call again and go outside to talk to the dispatcher.

Just something to keep in mind if you are assuming you can use another way to call 911 and have not actually tried it.
 
HobeSoundDarryl said:
In 5 decades, I've never had to dial 911 ONE time. This is the most common pushback I get about my choice of how to use Apple tech, and I would bet that MOST people with iPhone have never needed 911 service.

That said though, I have set it up to give me a speed dial to local services, so I hit ONE button instead of three if I ever need Police, Fire, Ambulance. At home, I have one-push buttons for the same on the alarm system and the home phones (which share the same VOIP line) have speed dial for such services too.

So my real risk along those lines is being AWAY from home, potentially being in some kind of situation where I need those kinds of services and needing to do a quick search to identify the nearest ones. That would take a bit more time than clicking 3 buttons... but, how many truly solo emergencies are there in the world? If others are involved, they will be dialing 911 too.

Besides, we all have Siri... and we know a Siri request will connect us as fast as possible. :eek:

My car also has emergency services, so if the event involves the car. I can push one button there.

My choice is not for everyone. As in all things, there are certain tradeoffs. For example, Watch and CarPlay are designed to just about HAVE to be married to iPhone. So if one values either of those, my way is probably not going to work for them. In my case, I wear a traditional watch and can do all my watch app-like things on the bigger Mini screen that is with me anyway. And my car's stock system covers the core CarPlay things I would want to use: map directions over speakers, music playlists, calling with the car's buttons, etc.

I could easily rationalize having a phone (too) but I just don't think I need one. VOIP app makes iPad Mini a great phone (with buds) and I otherwise have a bigger screen running the same apps on the same A15 for much less cost (service and (less regular) upgrades). Some tradeoffs are tangible, but I choose to make them for the benefits I get.
Click to expand...
Just wanted to say that I'm glad your decision works for you. Would never work for me, but we've had that discussion before.
 
rui no onna said:
Cellular. I use the iPad way more than the iPhone (like 90% iPad : 10% iPhone). Hotspot that disconnects every time the devices go to sleep for a short while and takes several seconds to reconnect (assuming it doesn't run into problems) is not gonna cut it.
Click to expand...
This is so odd. I tether my iPad to my phone all the time and the connection does not break at all even when I set both aside for relatively long periods of time.
 
kristalsoldier said:
This is so odd. I tether my iPad to my phone all the time and the connection does not break at all even when I set both aside for relatively long periods of time.
Click to expand...

Define long. For me, the hotspot disconnects within 5-10 minutes of the iPad going to sleep.

Mind, I use the iPad intermittently in a place with no wifi for ~9-10 hours a day so multiple disconnect/reconnect at relatively short intervals is terribly annoying to me.
 
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