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Wall Street Journal Confirms 4G LTE iPad for AT&T and Verizon

Monday February 13, 2012 6:44 pm PST by Jordan Golson
The iPad 3 will come in 4G LTE versions for Verizon and AT&T according to a report from the Wall Street Journal. It was reported earlier today that the iPad 3 announcement would come on March 7.
Verizon Communications Inc. and AT&T Inc. will sell a version of the coming iPad that runs on their newest fourth-generation wireless networks, according to people familiar with the matter, as the battle to cash in on big investments in mobile broadband heats up.

Apple Inc. appears to be planning to announce the latest version of its tablet computer in the first week of March, according to another person briefed on the matter.

Whether other carriers will also sell the device couldn't be learned.
The WSJ noted that the devices will fallback to a "slower network technology" when LTE isn't available. The next iPad is expected to have a high-resolution Retina Display and a quad-core A6 processor, in addition to the LTE capabilities. There is no indication if the AT&T and Verizon iPads would be one model that can operate on both networks or separate units with individual SKUs, as they are currently.

Apple insiders have noted that Apple frequently engages in the practice of "controlled leaks", briefing trusted reporters with product information before the launch of a big product.
[ 126 comments ]


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BWhaler
81 months ago
I just hope the legendary battery life stays.

The 10+ hour battery life is a huge differentiator for the iPad. Not thinking about charging all day makes the iPad so much better than a laptop.

I am looking forward to all of these enhancements, but I don't want the iPad world to regress into the "7 hour" promises of the laptop world—particularly since laptops never last 7 hours. It's a different devise when you can work with it all day without needed a charge.

Fingers cross the post-Steve Apple hasn't lost site of what makes the iPad magic—at least in part—and is chasing specs just for that spec. I'd rather take 3G over average laptop battery life.
Rating: 13 Votes
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troop231
81 months ago
"Drools" :cool:

Rating: 10 Votes
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gmanist1000
81 months ago
Wondering how the battery will hold up...
Rating: 8 Votes
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macduke
81 months ago
This looks to be the first Apple product that is unlocked and supports both AT&T and Verizon, right? So how does this work? Can you flip back and forth between different networks whenever you want? Can you be subscribed to both at once and just flip a switch? Because that would be great for trips where the coverage varies. It would also be nice to try out Verizon in my area on the iPad before the iPhone 5 comes out. Then I could decide on whether I should dump AT&T (likely) or stay with the stupid Death Star.
Rating: 5 Votes
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Hakone
81 months ago
Can't wait! especially when the screen's a better resolution.:D
Rating: 5 Votes
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macduke
81 months ago
For those complaining about battery life—I'm sure there will be a 4G on/off switch. So if it's an issue, then just toggle it off when you need a longer battery life over faster speed. But those lower power Qualcomm LTE chips are supposed to just be coming off the line. Unless Apple paid up big for some early orders—which is entirely possible. I mean, $100 billion can make just about anything happen. Either that or the iPad won't come out until nearly a month after this rumored March 7th launch date.
Rating: 5 Votes
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KPOM
81 months ago

Would prefer a 4G LTE iPhone instead...

Let the downvotes commence


Since the iPad has a bigger battery, Apple didn't need to wait for the smaller, more power-efficient LTE chipsets.

In any case, this is a good move by Apple. They can gradually roll out LTE, plus it gives iPad 2 buyers a reason to upgrade. The iPad 3 should be a big hit. I'm planning to get one.

----------

not true. WSJ, NYT, Bloomberg etc have been VERY wrong SEVERAL times.

I'm pretty excited for 4G LTE though considering it's expanding rapidly in NYC/Long Island


None of them "predicted" the iPhone 5 last year. In general, the WSJ doesn't report leaks. It is a respected business publication (as is Bloomberg), and they usually are a good outlet for controlled leaks from Apple.
Rating: 5 Votes
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Nielsenius
81 months ago
Hopefully this means a LTE in the iPhone 5. That's what we think it's gonna be called, right? iPhone 5 or is it 6?
Rating: 5 Votes
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miamialley
81 months ago

Would prefer a 4G LTE iPhone instead...

Let the downvotes commence


It will have it. They have to compete with LTE this time around. They dodged it with 4S, but they have to bring it this year.
Rating: 4 Votes
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hobo.hopkins
81 months ago
Holy cow, the number of iPads they will sell this year will be unbelievable.
Rating: 4 Votes

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