In theory, could the 3G iPad be a phone?

[Archon]

There is a mic and speaker along with blutooth and headphone support.

In theory, can Apple update the software in the 3G iPad and make it a mobile phone?

 

[samcraig]

I would say that given the deal with ATT and no contract on the data - that any voice apps or heavy bandwidth apps will be limited to wifi and not 3G

 

[gibbz]

I would say that given the deal with ATT and no contract on the data - that any voice apps or heavy bandwidth apps will be limited to wifi and not 3G

How will they enforce it?

 

[sfmountainbiker]

In theory, anything is possible. Even the iPad toasting your bread in the morning...in theory...

 

[EvilEmpire1212]

Posted this in another thread, but over there everyone seems to be too busy with arguing with each other.. any thoughts?

Just read an article on ComputerWorld.com (http://www.computerworld.com/s/artic...2&pageNumber=3) that talks about the removable SIMM card for use in other countries. Any thoughts on the possibility that the next gen iPhone will also have a removable SIMM card and the ability to use the same card in both devices since iPhone users already pay for a 3G data plan?

If they pulled that off and incorporated Flash like the new promos and this article (http://blogs.adobe.com/flashplatform...ipad_apps.html) suggest, this may be a device worth owning. Multi-tasking would only be an OS update away (which I really believe OS 4 will have).

Sure we're still not getting the integrated camera, the second dock connector, and still have to deal with low capacities (but what about iDisk storage?), but I'm sure we'll see some of that in the next gen iPad.

Any thoughts?

Update: Maybe it doesn't seem likely for Flash after all. Turns out the promos with Flash working on the NY Times page were done with editing. Seems pretty sleazy of Apple to deceive us like that. Either give us Flash so we can use the site like you show we can, or use a different site sans Flash for your promo.

 

[8CoreWhore]

Apple just approved VOIP over 3G... previously, it was for WiFi only, so to answer your question - YES!

 

[jodelli]

At our user group meeting on the 27th it came up that with the specs announced at the very minimum it could connect through Skype or some other VOIP.
With 3G there is no technical reason not to be phone capable even if a hack is necessary. Not that I would advocate such a thing, but the 1st Gen iPhones were being used by (******) well before they were officially allowed in Canada.

 

[bossxii]

There is an app for that!

iCall available, and approved by AT&T for 3g VoiP.

 

[chris7777]

Anyone else suspect a phone app to be killed by deals with AT&T and Verizon.

I would buy and Ipad if I could get phone service for $30 a month.

I have said for quite some time I would get an iphone if the plans would drop under $50 for data. Hech I would get one and use wifi if those greedy donkeys would allow it with pay per use data over 3G, but given how adamant they are to maintain those extortionistic profit margins, I doubt they would allow it in the IPAD, at least in any form that would likely cause them loss on normal phone/data revenue.

I have to admit I was shocked at rates but something tells me economy shot or not, we wont be allowed to go that route, because their is too much $ to be made from people who don't refuse to pay their rates as I have have done thus far. Sure prices are coming down at a snails pace, but this is just too good to be true. Other than the fact you would have to haul the ipad around in a back pack, for the guys and a purse for the gals.