The end of redundant Data charges for the iPad?

[barkomatic]

Many of you know that the Palm Pre Plus which is currently on sale at Verizon will act as a hotspot for wireless devices such as the iPad. What's interesting about it however, is that Verizon is not going to charge an extra data charge to do this like other carriers for the length of the contract you sign. I'm not certain I want to dive in for the Pre since its future is uncertain (though better now that they've been acquired by HP I guess)

Does anyone think that this practice will become more widespread? I know that Sprint's upcoming HTC EVO will have the capability as well as others, but I don't know if they will be charging extra for that service(I'm guessing they will).

I've read on other threads how people have jailbroken their iPhones to act as a hotspot -- but that's a sloppy, buggy workaround in my opinion. I also know others are using other portable hotspots, but those are coming with extra, expensive data charges.

It seems ridiculous to pay $45 for a home broadband connection, $30 for a smartphone data connection, and another $15-60 for an iPad data connection from AT&T--all redundant data charges.

How many others are accumulating enough wireless devices that they will be looking specifically for a hotspot capable smartphone without additiona data charges? I need to eliminate some of this redundancy.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

It is ridiculous and maddening. 4G (LTE) will change a lot of that since voice will be carried over data (like VOIP for cellphones). We are more likely to see cellphone plans differentiated by data, not minutes. Data will no longer be "unlimited," though. We'll buy 1GB, 5GB, 10GB per month data to use as we like -- voice, Internet, or tethering to another device.

 

[TraceyS/FL]

I almost jumped on this to replace my Treo and then go with the wifi iPad.

I didn't want to be on a 2 year contract, so there was that issue.... and I didn't want to have to rely on my phone battery for tethering all the time. I'm going to be using my iPad in spots that plugging it in while in use wouldn't be feasible.

Now that i have the 3G iPad and have used it in my daily routine for 2 days, i don't regret my decision.

That said, i don't have Data on my Treo right now - so i'm not paying for 3 connections either. I will just be paying the $15/mo for my use - if the kids end up wanting to do video, they will pony up the other $15 for the unlimited.

The starting and stopping at will, and overall ease of use of the built-in won for me. If i had a contract that required data on my smart phone right now - I'd have jumped on it.

 

[barkomatic]

I'm wondering if, with the next iPhone AT&T will introduce the same deal as on the iPad ($15 for 250mb or $30 for unlimited).

If they do, and there are no other options I'm thinking I'll switch to the 250mb for my iPhone and spring for the $30 a month on the iPad.

If Spring provides free hotspotting for the EVO I'd jump on that in a heartbeat though.