Apple and Verizon announced Thursday that Big Red will begin selling iPads at 2,000 Verizon Wireless Stores beginning Thursday, October 28th. Apple hasn’t begun making a CDMA equipped iPad Wi-Fi + 3G, but Verizon will instead be bundling the device with a MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot Device for roughly the same price as the 3G enabled iPads Apple sells with AT&T.
“We’re thrilled to be working with Verizon Wireless to get iPad into the hands of even more customers this holiday season,” Apple COO Tim Cook said in a statement. “iPad allows users to connect with their apps and content in a more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before, and together with Verizon Wireless we’re offering an easy way to stay connected wherever you go.”
Verizon will sell iPad Wi-Fi 16GB + MiFi for $629.99, iPad Wi-Fi 32GB + MiFi for $729.99, and iPad Wi-Fi 64GB + MiFi for $829.99. Each of those prices is $0.99 more than the equivalent iPad Wi-Fi + 3G. Verizon will also sell iPads as standalone WiFi-only devices.
Verizon is selling a data plan for the MiFi with this bundle for $20, which will allow customers up to 1GB of data.
Speaking of the MiFi, this is a standalone mobile WiFi hot spot, a little bigger (though much thicker) than a credit card. It connects to Verizon’s network and allows up to five devices at a time to access the Internet through that network. Our own Dave Hamilton wrote about it in July of 2009, for those needing more information.
Verizon has set up a placeholder page advertising the iPad, where the company touts, “All the magic of iPad. All the nationwide power and reliability of Verizon.”
We know, you were looking for an iPhone announcement, but it’s the iPad that will be making its debut under the Verizon banner for now.
