Creating a MiWifi with iPad 3g?

Hello. Hope this isn't an FAQ...I did do a search...at least for MiWifi which turned up no results.

I currently have the Wifi, which I have to take back on Thursday before my 14 days is up as I am 98% sure I want the 3g model.

But, I do have one question that would help close that 2% doubt...and even pave the way for me to keep my current iPad to give to my wife, etc.

Is there any chance that an app could be developed and will the hard ware support it to make the iPad 3g broadcast a wifi signal to other devices, kind of like the Palm Pre...or Sprints MyWifi? If so, the 3g iPad would all of a sudden be a HUGE opportunity!!!

I really like the Wifi model...and don't really want to pay for internet...but I just read today that the 3g can be turned off to prevent going over the 250mb. This makes it a no brainer to me...and firmed up my decision just today after reading the details closer about how the $15 plan will work. I feel pretty certain that it wasn't that clear last week. Seems like it did not state that you could turn off the 3g...and the theory, at Best Buy at least, was that you would go into some expensive overages. "you can decide whether to turn off 3G or upgrade to the unlimited plan". So, that pretty much seals the deal for me. The only thing that would have been cooler is to give us a bucket of 250 mb for $15...and we could refill the bucket for another $15. But, at least I can cut it off at the end of the 250mb...or more importantly, scale back as I approach the cut off.

Thanks for any feedback!

Drew -- Index

3G worries

I don't understand your concern about the 3G plans. At&T will notify you when you approach the limit and then you can either pony up another $15 bucks or shut it down or give them $29.95 for unlimited. Any of the plans can be turned on or shut down as your needs require. That benefit alone compels me to wait for the 3G version. I hope that it becomes so popular that other companies will be forced to provide similar plans.

David

Thanks for the reply. I do understand now. But, last week when I check, I could almost swear that the wording was different on this page: Apple - iPad - Stay connected everywhere you go.

I don't think it clearly stated what happened when you ran out of your 250. The Apple Specialist I talked with, referencing that page exactly, suggested it would be like a normal ATT plan if you went over your minute/bandwidth and you would be charged for each additional megabyte.

But it makes more sense now how the site reads...and I am ready to get the 3g. I mean, it is a no brainer now. I'll stick to the $15 plan and only use the 3g when I am away from wifi and I need access.

My only question now is if it will be possible to make the iPad use the 3g signal to offer a wifi signal. Like, I may keep my wifi iPad if I can get it to use the access from the 3g pad...kind of like how the app that can permit the iphone to take a picture for the iPad.

lokerd said:

My only question now is if it will be possible to make the iPad use the 3g signal to offer a wifi signal. Like, I may keep my wifi iPad if I can get it to use the access from the 3g pad...kind of like how the app that can permit the iphone to take a picture for the iPad.

Click to expand...

AT&T currently doesn't allow that sort of thing. Not even tethering with a cable. There are some apps to do just that right now, for jailbroken iPhones, and I imagine that a jailbreak for the iPad isn't far off. But of course that sort of thing violates AT&T's and Apple's user agreements and terms of service, and is also frowned upon by Macforums' posting guidelines.

I used to have an AT&T tilt, and had an app on that that made such a thing fairly trivial to do (just like the not-allowed jailbreak apps). You just fired it up and the phone acted just like a wireless access point, connecting via wi-fi to a laptop or whatever, and sharing the 3g connection.

Not advocating jailbreaking, but just letting you know that as it currently stands, it's doable, but in violation of your contract.

I'd have to say maybe..

All my MacBook Pro internet access is 3G mobile via usb modem.
With Internet sharing set up in System prefs I can theoretically (do not have my iPad yet) share that 3G data plan via airport with another device.