Verizon's 'New iPad' May Include a Mobile Hotspot Feature, AT&T Stalling
Verizon's new iPad may include the 4G mobile hotspot feature announced by Apple, according to a spokesman from the company.
"The new iPad on the Verizon Wireless network will have the mobile hotspot feature," said Verizon spokesman Albert Aydin to 9to5Mac. "Our 4G LTE tablets have the mobile hotspot feature and it is included in the tablet data plans so for example, customers who sign up for the $30 for 2GB plan will also have access to the mobile hotspot feature."
Meanwhile it has been reported that AT&T's new iPad will not support this feature when it is released, but the carrier hopes to implement it into the tablet in the near future.
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"We are working with Apple to enable this feature in the future, but we currently do not offer it," said an AT&T spokesman to 9to5Mac.
GottaBeMobile recently reported that the hotspot feature will be included in data plan pricing for the new iPad. This information conflicts with what the rep said to 9to5Mac.
Apple first mentioned the personal hotspot feature during the new iPad's unveiling on Wednesday. It will allow users to share their data connection with up to five other Apple devices, but only certain carriers will support this.
Apple left out what carriers would support this feature.
The company's U.S. page for the new iPad currently advertizes the mobile hotspot feature. Other carriers such as Bell, Rogers and TELSUS have yet to confirm whether or not they will make the feature available on the new iPad.
The new iPad was unveiled by Apple at a media event in San Francisco earlier this week.
The tablet features a high-definition retina display, 4G LTE connectivity and an A5X chip that features a quad-core graphics processor for gaming.
The new iPad will ship on March 16 and will be available in both black and white.
