i pad & wireless router

[samh004]

I hope previous versions had this too... If not it really cements my views about cough apple technology.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using AustFreqFly

I don't think they did as the iPhone is the centre of the Apple universe, not the iPad, but even though I have a 3G capable iPad 2, I don't use a SIM in it so don't know.

I'd be very happy if that were the case, but I doubt it. Will have to wait till I upgrade my phone to get tethering capabilities.




 

[AVC]

OK
So if there is no WiFi I will need to buy a sim..........Any recommendations there please?
Do I buy a wireless modem or wireless router when we fet back home?
Simongr...So I didn't think 4G was any benefit at all.........is it worth the extra$.....I would be using Optus, do not understand if 3G is a provider or what
GPH going on the 21May.

Thanks

Here starteth the lesson.

Modem - required to connect to the internet via a ISP (internet service provider). Can connect via cable, the phone line (DSL, ADSL) or via the mobile phone network (mobile internet, as opposed to wireless networking).

Switch or hub - Splits your network connection like a "power board" if you need to connect more than one machine to the network.

Router - Does both. The router logs on to your ISP and you can plug in several machines, or in the case of a Wireless Router, devices can connect wirelessly as well (wireless networking).

So a Wireless Router is the way to go. It does the lot. Normally your ISP will provide one.

Which iPad?
If you have a wireless router at home and you only intend to use the 'pad on the lounge or sundeck, you wont need a 3G model.
If you want to use it out and about, you can either use use free wireless hotspots (Starbucks, Maccas, some big shopping centres, etc), or tether it to your phone (so your mobile phone acts like a wireless router, it connects to the net via the mobile phone network, your iPad connects to the phone via wireless networking). For better convenience, a 3G model will always be connected, but it will require it's own SIM, and therefore it's own account and data plan.

I would go the 3G model myself. Public wireless can be flakey, and tethering to your mobile can really burn up your mobile phone battery.

 

[SeatBackForward]

I don't have an iPad so can't comment on that specifically. I have one of these i take with me:

Costs $55 online from here" TP-Link TL-MR3020 150Mbps Portable 3G Wireless N Router, Powered by power adapter or USB, Internal antenna
I have a 3G USB device provided that can plug into this router that allows any of my Wifi devices to use the 3G connection. The problem with this one is that it requires power, supplied via a USB port - so it can run off a laptop USB port or it comes supplied with a USB power adaptor to plug into the wall

I'm going to get something like this soon:

I'd prefer a device like this because the SIM card can be inserted into this directly rather than using a USB stick, and it has a supplied battery that can last a few hours, so doesn't need a power supply and can be used just about anywhere

 

[JessicaTam]

A consideration if the decision is between a wi-fi only vs. 3G/4G iPad is GPS. The wi-fi only version does not have the GPS support that 3G+ models do. A very handy feature I wouldn't do without.


Sent from my iThing.
Why, because iCan.

 

[dfcatch]

A consideration if the decision is between a wi-fi only vs. 3G/4G iPad is GPS. The wi-fi only version does not have the GPS support that 3G+ models do. A very handy feature I wouldn't do without.


Sent from my iThing.
Why, because iCan.

Yes - if I had know that at the time, I would have chosen the 3G version.

 

[samh004]

A consideration if the decision is between a wi-fi only vs. 3G/4G iPad is GPS. The wi-fi only version does not have the GPS support that 3G+ models do. A very handy feature I wouldn't do without.


Sent from my iThing.
Why, because iCan.

It’s annoying that they do it that way, I’m regularly using the GPS when connected to wifi and do wonder how my experience would differ if my iPad wasn’t 3G (despite no SIM installed). Especially as I want to upgrade but having never used the SIM slot I’m not sure it’s worth the extra, just for GPS.

 

[markis10]

The GPS is part of the 3G card, not really any other option.

 

[AVC]

A consideration if the decision is between a wi-fi only vs. 3G/4G iPad is GPS. The wi-fi only version does not have the GPS support that 3G+ models do. A very handy feature I wouldn't do without.
.

Wow, I never realised that. Not that I really use the GPS, but if we were buying a second one I would keep that in mind.

Sort of ironic that the portable 3G router plugs into the laptop to get power from it while the laptop is getting internet from the router. Sort of a symbiotic relationship. I still rather use my phone though. One less device to carry.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Sort of ironic that the portable 3G router plugs into the laptop to get power from it while the laptop is getting internet from the router. Sort of a symbiotic relationship. I still rather use my phone though. One less device to carry.

Well yes I can see that point of view, if I'm not staying in a hotel overnight, then the phoen can be tethered to provide wifi, but with the poratable router, you can actually plug the hotels cable into the box to provide much better wifi, I took that into consideration when getting it.

 

[richie9x]

I have an ASUS 3G Wirless Router WL-3303G it is a tiny little box but comes so useful. There are 4 mainfunctions that is use it for;
1. You can plug a 3G dongle from anywhere and share the connection over wifi
2. You can use it as a repeater for exisiting wifi signals. Comes in handy for hotel rooms that often have a weak signal .
3. You can share one network connection using NAT behind a firewall. Good for hotels that want to charge you for every single device you use on wifi.
4. You can plug in an ethernet cable and make it an accesspoint for that network. Good for hotels that only have wried connection so that you can use wifi devices like phones and ipads.

It is very small and light and powered by a micro USB port - so you can power it from laptop, usb powersupply or from a batter pack. There is a whole lot of extra stuff it can don.e

 

[codash1099]

A consideration if the decision is between a wi-fi only vs. 3G/4G iPad is GPS. The wi-fi only version does not have the GPS support that 3G+ models do. A very handy feature I wouldn't do without.


Sent from my iThing.
Why, because iCan.

Aha! That explains why my data usage overseas was so expensive when I thought I was using inbuilt GPS capability, A trap for young (and/or ignorant) players :evil:

 

[AVC]

with the poratable router, you can actually plug the hotels cable into the box to provide much better wifi, I took that into consideration when getting it.

1. You can plug a 3G dongle from anywhere and share the connection over wifi
2. You can use it as a repeater for exisiting wifi signals. Comes in handy for hotel rooms that often have a weak signal .
3. You can share one network connection using NAT behind a firewall. Good for hotels that want to charge you for every single device you use on wifi.
4. You can plug in an ethernet cable and make it an accesspoint for that network. Good for hotels that only have wried connection so that you can use wifi devices like phones and ipads.

Righto! I'm sold! Hell, I would use the wi-fi repeater feature at home!

 

[DeKa]

Righto! I'm sold! Hell, I would use the wi-fi repeater feature at home!

Be aware that wifi repeating is generally *very* brand specific, so it may or may not work.

 

[drewbles]

Be aware that wifi repeating is generally *very* brand specific, so it may or may not work.

Not so bad these days. The standards exist to make this far easier (unless you're using Apple of course, then it's Apples and Apples).

 

[MatF]

I had heard a rumour that US ipads must use the US itunes store? i.e. if you have an AU itunes account, you won't be able to link a US ipad to it.

You could obviously maintain an itunes account in both the US and AU stores, but I assume you couldn't share apps/etc across them.


True?

 

[DeKa]

I had heard a rumour that US ipads must use the US itunes store? i.e. if you have an AU itunes account, you won't be able to link a US ipad to it.

You could obviously maintain an itunes account in both the US and AU stores, but I assume you couldn't share apps/etc across them.


True?

False.......

 

[drewbles]

False.......

Completely false yes. You can (and are only meant to) use the store of your country of residence. There are ways to open a US iTunes account of course even if you don't live there.

I have a US and an AU on my iPad and iPhone, and both devices were purchased in Australia.

 

[SteveJohnson]

Yes, Google will reveal plenty of article son how to set up a US iTunes account as well as an Australian one. Not only useful for buying music and video which is not available in AU but also quite a few apps, even free ones (!) are US-only!!

 

[dfcatch]

Completely false yes. You can (and are only meant to) use the store of your country of residence. There are ways to open a US iTunes account of course even if you don't live there.

I have a US and an AU on my iPad and iPhone, and both devices were purchased in Australia.

I assume you mean that you switch between the two?

I just switch my country and payment method when I want to switch stores. Which means for updates etc it's ou one ID and pass that I have to remember.