Alleged iPad Mini to be Wi-Fi only?

As expected, this is in direct competition with the Nexus 7 and Apple have to make sure the price is right because the Nexus 7 is shifting like Hot Cakes.

7" tablet w/o 3G = toy.

Originally posted by mukhis:

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7" tablet w/o 3G = toy.

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tablet = toy.

Fixed.

I'm sorry, but having used several iPads and Android tablets, this is just a fact of life. Yes, there are plenty of productive uses for them and there will always be exceptions (especially once we start moving into full-fledged tablet PCs toting actual Windows/MacOS/linux), but the majority of a pad's life is media consumption, casual gaming, and light web-browsing. Regardless of whether it's connected by WiFi or through a cellular network, people generally aren't going to be using these things to constantly display updated information or to powerhouse productivity.

Besides, most of the world would just tether between their phones and their tabs. Aside from simply being able to say you have the money to spend on several data lines (and convenience), most people aren't going to be willing to pay for 2+ lines with their carrier just to be able to look at the weather on a slightly larger screen without turning your phone's AP on. Especially around here where comapanies like CSpire demand extra money simply because you want to use an Apple product, and somehow they distinguish video streaming as separate of all other data and demand even more for it.

Originally posted by buxtahuda:

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... the majority of a pad's life is media consumption, casual gaming, and light web-browsing. Regardless of whether it's connected by WiFi or through a cellular network, people generally aren't going to be using these things to constantly display updated information or to powerhouse productivity.

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Exactly... There are a couple of apps out there that allow me to access my computer at the house that smack of 'attempting' to look like they are trying to be more, but they're frankly not.

Besides, this whining about no 3G is ludicrous. There are several tablets without it & I say, "all the better". Wifi spots are 'pretty' plentiful & Apple's airport pretty much grabs them with a minimal amount of fuss.

Not to mention, given the volatility of the data wars (price) of data downloading these days over cellular(?). I most certainly would NOT be updating or downloading squat on my tablet over the towers.

WiFi hotspots may be plentiful in the U.S., but not where I live (Denmark, Europe). Hotels, restaurants and even some gas stations have hotspots, but you typically have to go to the counter, and pay for 1-day access. Some of our public transport systems (buses and trains) offer free WiFi access on the main lines, but that is really only useful when you ride the bus/train.

On the other hand, most of our mobile operators offer quite affordable data plans, so here, a tablet without 3G is not very useful for people on the move.

Originally posted by eljay:

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WiFi hotspots may be plentiful in the U.S., but not where I live (Denmark, Europe).

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Might I venture a guess that the your data plan on your phone is possibly a bit better than what we see in the states? Thus, negating or meriting the local businesses plundering for extra money for access?

Either way, if you're carrying a tablet with you, toting around an 8" tablet (.15 inches more) that actually works over multiple wireless accommodations seems to me to be less of a hassle than worrying about whether you paid 2 to 3 times more for a fashion statement.