Thinking of getting an Ipad and Iphone..and don't understand pricing!

[disneyofcourse]

I am considering dropping verizon for my phone service. Currently I pay around $115 month for gps/web/and I think around 900 minutes. I'm wondering for those who have the iphone what it runs you per month for service? Would I just get a GPS app as my navigator? Does it does money monthly or is is a one time thing? The only apple product I have is an Ipod from when they first came out so i really don't know much about the new items. The other thing was the Ipad, is that something I could use just to check email/look at websites or can it also be used as a gps or phone? From what I saw online its very limited data? While with verizon I pay one fee for the web and can use it as much as I want. My apple store is packed from open to close daily with just people packed in every little inch. So its hard to get an employee to show me things!

 

[hoffmann2828]

I currently share 700 minutes with my DH, and for the 2 of us (based on the old, unlimited data plan), we pay about $150. To share with DH, it costs $9.99 for his line, $30 for the 3G data plan, and $5 for 200 texts, so you can just subtract those out.

As for the "GPS", yes, there is apps out there, but, it also comes standard with an app called "MAPS" on your phone. It is very similar to a GPS (follows you along the route), but does not give voice directions. You also have to hit "next step" when you want to get the next turn. It sounds weird, but you get used to it fast. I don't have a GPS, but I love my map app because it also shows TRAFFIC! This is really handy in the Chicago area.

As far as the iPad is concerned, it depends on what you want to use it for. If you have a wireless setup at home, you can buy the $499 iPad, and use it only on wireless networks (for internet - obviously you can use it anywhere unless you want to connect). Then, all you pay for is the iPad. Or, for $629 you can get an iPad that is good on wireless networks and has 3G capability. If you want 3G capability though, you have to go with a data plan. I don't know exactly what the data plans are. I can tell you though that out of the two of these, the phone is a better choice. I absolutely love it and even though I want an iPad, I wouldn't pay for extra service for it since I'd be "surfing" etc mostly at home.

HTH,
Jenny

 

[mrsklamc]

You can't use the ipad as a phone, I assume you can use it as a GPS but I haven't actually tried. One thing about the ipad's data plan is that it is month to month, so if you were going to Disney this month and staying onsite, you could turn on the data plan just for August instead of paying Disney for web access.

Honestly I don't 'get' the ipad really- it's a bigger iphone that can't make calls; but my husband loves his.

 

[Longsx3]

My DD 14 has an ipad, she will use it to access her internet based text books on the go.
Yes you can use it for GPS, and probably even a phone with the skype app but that would not be very practical due to the size. DD was able to sign up for unlimited Data on her ipad for $30 a month which I consider a bargain. I know ATT was was doing away with unlimited data, however I am not sure that aplies to the IPAD becasue DD signed up for the Monday after they changed their plans.
DD loves her IPAD but I would not consider it a replacement for a phone.

 

[Kitzka]

DH and i left verison about 3 years ago to get iphones. we also have an ipad. We live in Northern NJ and pay about $205 for 700 anytimes mins, unlimited family texting, unlimited data for 2 iphones and 2 additional lines. this includes taxes.

We have a wifi ipad so don't pay anything additional costs.

DH has a naviagation app for his iphone. it was normally $75 but was on sale a few weeks back for $20. we also use the maps app for traffic. its the best!

the ipad is great for email, playing games and internet.

lara

 

[CR ESQ.]

My DD 14 has an ipad, she will use it to access her internet based text books on the go.
Yes you can use it for GPS, and probably even a phone with the skype app but that would not be very practical due to the size. DD was able to sign up for unlimited Data on her ipad for $30 a month which I consider a bargain. I know ATT was was doing away with unlimited data, however I am not sure that aplies to the IPAD becasue DD signed up for the Monday after they changed their plans.
DD loves her IPAD but I would not consider it a replacement for a phone.

I have never been a apple guy but I now use the IPad.
I agree it is not a replacement for a smart phone. It's really a Itouch for the the geriatric crowd.

I use mine like I used a Daytimer in the past.

Data plan used to be 30.00 a month unlimited. If you have that plan your grandfathered in. Is not I think mows it 25.00 for 2 gig.

It's good for some things but is not a total replacement for a laptop. It's ability to print, save and a list of other things that you need a laptop for.

But for the basics it fits my needs.

Why did they make it so thin ? So you can pack it with your laptop !

Have a nice day,
Harold

 

[SuzanneSLO]

I beleive that only the WiFi version of the iPad has the GPS. When I am the navigator, I love using the iPad for driving directions and traffic info. We have unlimited data on the iPad, but will probably downgrade.

My DH and I pay $126 per month, with taxes, for 550 shared minutes, 200 shared texts and unlimited data on each iPhone. We do get a student discount. With the rollover minutes from ATT, we find that we are never at risk of going over our minutes (we have over 3000 rollover minutes at the current time), so we are glad we choose the lowest number of minutes available.

We could save on the iphone data plan by switching to 200MB (save $15 per month) or 2GB (save $5 per month). My DH uses more than 200MB per month (but much less than 2MB) but I have never exceeded 200MB.

Best of luck in your decision -- Suzanne

 

[Willow1213]

For what you would be using - here is what I would suggest

900 minutes - includes free nights & weekends, mobile to mobile minutes, and 5 "A-List" Numbers, and rollover minutes

2 GB of data - gives you plenty of access to internet, email, etc.

Navigation - assuming you want the AT&T version (AT&T Navigator)

This would all run you $92 per month. You didn't mention text so I left it out.
$10 more would get you unlimited minutes.

Also ask about discounts for the company that you work for. In our area we have seen some discounts as high as 30%!

 

[robind]

DH and i left verison about 3 years ago to get iphones. we also have an ipad. We live in Northern NJ and pay about $205 for 700 anytimes mins, unlimited family texting, unlimited data for 2 iphones and 2 additional lines. this includes taxes.

We have a wifi ipad so don't pay anything additional costs.

DH has a naviagation app for his iphone. it was normally $75 but was on sale a few weeks back for $20. we also use the maps app for traffic. its the best!

the ipad is great for email, playing games and internet.

lara

Just curious which navigation app did he find on sale for $20?

 

[dfchelbay]

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but it really ticks me off to read all these posts stating you pay $30 per month for a data plan. I have been with ATT since before they were ATT and have the Iphone. Why am I getting charged $39.99 per month for my data. Data is data is data. Data going to and from my phone somehow costs more than data going to and from other customer's phones.

WTH...I hate cell phone companies just as much as the cable companies. What rip off artists they all are...rant over!

 

[SalandJeff]

What you pay for service will of course depend on which phone plan and which data plan work for you. For example, I don't text much, so I have a limited plan for only $5 per month.

What I wanted to suggest was that you go to an AT&T store, rather than the Apple store. They will not be as crowded as the Apple store, and I found the employees to be pretty knowledgeable. Best Buy also had the iPads out so you could play around with them.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but it really ticks me off to read all these posts stating you pay $30 per month for a data plan. I have been with ATT since before they were ATT and have the Iphone. Why am I getting charged $39.99 per month for my data. Data is data is data. Data going to and from my phone somehow costs more than data going to and from other customer's phones.

WTH...I hate cell phone companies just as much as the cable companies. What rip off artists they all are...rant over!

I assume that you have tried switching either online or by phone to a different data plan and were not able to switch.

You may have been on an early "enterprise" data plan connected with business use, which now runs $45 for unlimited. Since you are gettinga "deal" at $40, ATT may never have suggested that an enterprise plan may not be appropriate for you. -- Suzanne

 

[CR ESQ.]

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but it really ticks me off to read all these posts stating you pay $30 per month for a data plan. I have been with ATT since before they were ATT and have the Iphone. Why am I getting charged $39.99 per month for my data. Data is data is data. Data going to and from my phone somehow costs more than data going to and from other customer's phones.

WTH...I hate cell phone companies just as much as the cable companies. What rip off artists they all are...rant over!

I hear you!

Let's not forget the magazines.It's amazing the people they know who's check will clear they don't give you the best deals.

If they've never seen you before they give the store away.

Be well,
Harold

 

[huskies90]

Just curious which navigation app did he find on sale for $20?

There is a free mapquest app that does turn by turn directions. Works fine for me. I never use my TomTom anymore...

 

[Kitzka]

Just curious which navigation app did he find on sale for $20?

My husband corrected me. He paid $25 for the app and it's called Navigon. I'm not sure exactly when he got the app.