The iPad invasion has taken an interesting turn this week; after spreading to Target and Wal-Mart stores, the device is landing in the most unlikely of places: Verizon Wireless stores nationwide. Although the deal gets Verizon in bed with Apple, it’s not quite what you might expect.
BusinessWire is reporting that Verizon Wireless will start selling the iPad at over 2,000 retail stores nationwide beginning Thursday, October 28 in a joint effort with Apple. Verizon will stock the iPad in six configurations, none of which include the Wi-Fi + 3G model which uses rival AT&T’s network.
Instead, Verizon will carry the existing three configurations of the Wi-Fi only model (available in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB) as well as the same storage capacities in bundles with the company’s own MiFi 2200 mobile hotspot -- a clever way to capitalize on iPad mania while pushing Verizon’s own 3G network.
The iPad Wi-Fi + MiFi 2200 bundles will sell for $629.99 (16GB), $729.99 (32GB) and $829.99 (64GB), with Verizon offering a contract-free monthly access plan that gives customers up to 1GB of data for only $20 per month. It’s not quite as generous as AT&T’s own 2GB plan for $25, but the fact that you’re essentially getting a MiFi 2200 for $230 contract-free isn’t a bad deal, since it can be used with up to five devices, including computers, Wi-Fi enabled cell phones and other tablet devices.
“This is the perfect pairing for holiday travels,” said John Stratton, chief operating officer for Verizon Wireless. “iPad together with the nation’s largest and most reliable 3G data network allows customers to easily connect on the go wherever they are.”
The MiFi 2200 itself isn’t much bigger than a few credit cards stacked on top of each other, and the device allows up to four hours of “active use” and 40 hours of standby time on a single charge.
Before the speculation begins that AT&T is getting the boot from Apple, the telco will also begin selling the iPad in their retail stores starting on October 28, both in Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + 3G models as usual. However, the fact that Apple and Verizon have cut a deal can’t be good news for AT&T, and the iPad + MiFi certainly lends credence to recent rumors that Verizon will get an iPhone at long last in 2011.
Verizon customers can sign up for more information by visiting the company’s website.
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