The Apple iPad 2nd generation isn’t too far (going by the yearly refresh cycles for iOS devices) and the CDMA iPhone 4 has just gatecrashed into the Verizon lineup (it shows up so prominently in the navigation of Verizon that they don’t put it under smartphones, but give it a distinct identity – iPhone). But its just a matter of weeks when the world starts talking about the iPad 2nd gen. Motorola has proudly announced the Xoom tablet with Verizon 4G connectivity last week at CES and the launch dates are still unknown.
It was mentioned today that the iPhone 4 for Verizon was in testing since a year and I am pretty sure that Apple and Verizon have had enough time to test an iPad also (don’t forget the long old rumors of Apple / Verizon testing a tablet, referred as netbook back then). Given the evolution the world has seen in the tablets space in the past year, Apple sure would want to push ahead of the heap with its iPad 2. And what better than having it launch with Verizon and not AT&T? Even the 1st gen iPad is unlocked if you notice.
There are two major reasons (both interconnected) that make me think of a LTE iPad. a) Unlike a smartphone structure, the iPad actually houses a much larger battery. It can take the extra load (assuming 4G would get heavy on battery life). b) While a smartphone has a lot of internet importance, its a phone at the end of the day. Given the mobile computing nature of a tablet, its much more hungry for an internet connection. I was frustrated using a WiFi iPad when it launched.
Verizon is currently selling the iPad with a MiFi adapter and Apple sure would like to integrate a 4G connecting in the next iPad. That’s my wish and best bet!