I use LTE whenever I take my Mini 6 out - I don't use any public WiFi.
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All iPads Do you go for Wi-Fi only or cellular for your iPad
- Thread starter Adeapplephone
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I use LTE whenever I take my Mini 6 out - I don't use any public WiFi.
I always used to buy LTE with gps iPads, we used to get free data share sims not anymore, my 12.9" M1 I got wifi only, with a 13 max and car play it's not needed, and easier now to hotspot to iPad.
I can still share data but it's $15AUD a month for a sim plus the extra cost of the iPad, not worth it.
I can still share data but it's $15AUD a month for a sim plus the extra cost of the iPad, not worth it.
wifi only for ipad.. Saved $200 on iPad purchase and any future monthly cost for cellular.
I have my phone with me all the time anyways and can use it as a hotspot when needed.
Funnily enough, I'm quite prone to forgetting my phone at home. Wi-Fi calling/NumberSync + SMS forwarding on the cellular iPad has saved me on those occasions. ?
Well, with my unlimited Verizon plan on my 13 Pro Max, my iPad unlimited plan is only $15 a month. Seems pretty cheap should my iPhone or Wi-Fi be unavailable, and I can also make it a hotspot should I need it. Just felt flexible enough of an option for a cheap price.
I have cellular on my mini. When on a trip the other day I stopped, parked up and thought I'd give it a go. It immediately tethered to my iPhone and worked perfectly. For me I don't think I'll be getting cellular again. I have unlimited data with my iPhone so can just use that.
Some people, I for one, don't get the cellular model necessarily because of a cell plan, but rather because you have to get the cellular model in order to get the GPS radio. I love/need the GPS radio for offline mapping, etc. Love my Cellular/GPS Mini!
Pretty regularly.
For work: Coffeeshops, airport terminals, various places. Many of which have Wi-Fi but it's often unreliable, almost always has poor security, and is just a pain to deal with (Gotta click through the stupid login screen, then it randomly pops up again, etc.) With the iPad Pro Cellular, I open it (keyboard case), and it's online, always, everywhere I go.
For pleasure: I have a small camper and do a lot of camping with it. On a rainy nasty day when I can't really do anything outside; it's nice having an internet connected device (If I happen to be in range of cell towers anyway) for Netflix or even just browing the web until the storm goes away.
I only have one iPad and it has cellular, both for the data connection and GPS. However, for those who say you "only got it for the GPS"... is that really true? In other words, are you only using the GPS chip itself or are you also using mobile data to access the map (Apple Maps, Google Maps, etc)?
If you really "only need GPS", you could use an external bluetooth GPS receiver which also has the benefit of much greater accuracy than the internal chip. You could potentially save a lot this way since it will be usable with a new iPad when you upgrade and can also be shared between multiple iPads (they can even send your GPS position simulataneously to multiple devices). I suppose the downside is that it's an extra device (most are quite small) you need to carry, recharge, etc.
These cost around $100 on up (you can get centimeter accuracy if you're willing to spend $$$). Garmin, Bad Elf, Dual and others offer bluetooth GPS receivers. These devices will work with a wifi-only iPad but you would need to use a navigation app that allows you to download full maps and store them on the iPad (there are many). I guess you could also use your phone as a hotspot if an app needs mobile data.
Have been using a Garmin GLO that I got for $90 in 2013 with my iPad, iPhone and other devices and have been very impressed with the accuracy. It provides 10 position updates per second as opposed to an internal GPS chip which struggles to just provide one update/sec. FWIW, I'm developing my own free GPS web app and was a moderator at GPSReview for many years until it recently shut down.
If you really "only need GPS", you could use an external bluetooth GPS receiver which also has the benefit of much greater accuracy than the internal chip. You could potentially save a lot this way since it will be usable with a new iPad when you upgrade and can also be shared between multiple iPads (they can even send your GPS position simulataneously to multiple devices). I suppose the downside is that it's an extra device (most are quite small) you need to carry, recharge, etc.
These cost around $100 on up (you can get centimeter accuracy if you're willing to spend $$$). Garmin, Bad Elf, Dual and others offer bluetooth GPS receivers. These devices will work with a wifi-only iPad but you would need to use a navigation app that allows you to download full maps and store them on the iPad (there are many). I guess you could also use your phone as a hotspot if an app needs mobile data.
Have been using a Garmin GLO that I got for $90 in 2013 with my iPad, iPhone and other devices and have been very impressed with the accuracy. It provides 10 position updates per second as opposed to an internal GPS chip which struggles to just provide one update/sec. FWIW, I'm developing my own free GPS web app and was a moderator at GPSReview for many years until it recently shut down.
I use it for both. I also have the Glo but the built-in is more convenient and accurate enough for what I use it for; if I need better, I have at least six dedicated units to choose from. GPSReview - I used to hang out there, going back to SA days as I had a lot of Nav interest. I did ocean and coastal survey and chart development back in the 70's (NOAA) and later developed the Nav S/W for an "advanced aircraft".
For sure; but convenience has some value too. Now that's two devices, two batteries to manage, etc.
You noted a price of $100, the iPad is $150-$200 more for cellular depending on the model. So a bluetooth device is definitely cheaper, but has those shortcomings.
Back in the early 2000's I was using "PDA Phones" running Microsoft's PocketPC (later renamed Windows Mobile). The vast majority of those didn't have internal GPS capability, including the ones I happened to own. So I bought a Bluetooth GPS dongle. This was back when mapping software was expensive but you got the entire "map", downloaded to your PC, transferred it over to your phone, and stored it all on an SD card. (I don't think, back then, we'd even DREAM of a 'cloud based' mapping software. On the rare occasions where you had a signal on the road, less than 1mbps internet speeds were the best you could hope for; IF you were lucky) So I definitely used that method for several years. It definitely worked. But I definitely found it frustrating. Sometimes I'd forget to charge the battery on the GPS or I'd accidentally leave it on. Sometimes I'd forget it at home. I mean it worked, for sure. I just think after that experience if you went back to 2004 and told me I could have the exact same device with built-in GPS instead of continuing to use my Bluetooth GPS dongle; I'd have paid the premium.
For the record, my GPS still works. I found it the other day in an old briefcase. And it turned on! After all these years (I probably stopped using it around 2008/2009 when I got a Samsung Windows Mobile phone that had built-in GPS, and by 2010 I was on an iPhone so of course the rest is history) it was still holding a charge and still works. Even paired it to my iPhone and used it just to see!
Regarding cellular data: My wife and I do at least one big road trip a year. Usually on motorcycles but this year we got a toyhauler (travel trailer that you can tow a motorcycle inside). Cell coverage even today is still not as good as one might hope so long ago I've learned the value of a good "offline maps" app. Or a standalone GPS! (Which is what I use on the motorcycle). So even though I have a cellular-connected iPad for reasons listed above, I actually don't rely on that. (Although I should mention, last year I got a vehicle with CarPlay so I no longer use an iPad for navigation. But the same principles apply; I don't rely on the cellular data on my iPhone, either.)
I have an iPad Pro cellular for those times that the home internet goes out. This way, you don't have to waste iPhone battery (via hotspot). Granted, it doesn't happen often, but it's a nice capability.
Same.
I have a cheapie iPad that has cellular. I keep it plugged in all the time full and ready to go. I have the $5 a month cell plan from T-Moblie on it. Hardly ever us it but it's my emergency backup. I feel better knowing I have it ready on the go!
Yep. Very convenient especially when both power and internet are out. That said, if the iPad was always at home, I probably wouldn’t bother with the cellular version.
Heh... there was a compass app for Palm OS devices back in the day. It worked reasonably well, and was impressive given that devices back then did NOT have GPS built in! Can't recall the details of how it went about that without GPS hardware though :\
@beach bum Can you please help me? What you just described sounds perfect for me. I want my Mini 6 to use my home Wi-Fi whenever I am home. But when I take it outside of my home, I would like for it to automatically connect to my iPhone. Then when I return home I would like for my iPad Mini to automatically connect back to my home network.
Is that what you do? If so, can you tell me how please?
As long as your carrier plan supports ‘Personal Hotspot’ you just have to turn it on in Settings.
Settings>Personal Hotspot… then, Settings>WiFi>Auto-Join Hotspot.
How to set up a Personal Hotspot on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support
A Personal Hotspot lets you share the cellular data connection of your iPhone or iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular) when you don't have access to a Wi-Fi network.