As promised, Verizon began selling Apple’s iPad along with its own MiFi mobile hotspot as a bundle on Thursday. The pack includes a Wi-Fi iPad along with a MiFi 2200 3G Mobile Hotspot for wireless Internet access on the go.
Since the MiFi supports up to four devices at once, users can take advantage of its Internet connection with more than just their iPad. Subscribers don’t need a contract to go along with their MiFi, and 1GB a month plans start at US$20.
Apple raised eyebrows earlier in October when word hit that Verizon would start selling the iPad. At the time, Apple COO Tim Cook stated “We’re thrilled to be working with Verizon Wireless to get iPad into the hands of even more customers this holiday season.”
Since the 3G iPad only supports GSM-based cell networks like AT&T and T-Mobile offer, Verizon had to bundle its own CDMA-based wireless access device with the Wi-Fi only iPad. The bundle has the advantage, however, of supporting multiple devices at the same time.
Verizon is selling the 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, or just $0.99 more than an iPad with built-in 3G costs.