Apple's AT&T monogamy has officially ended, at least as far as the iPad is concerned. Because at the end of this month, the tablet is coming to Verizon. Well, Wi-Fi anyway.


Verizon's iPad is going to be Wi-Fi only, which means that for 3G access you'll have to purchase a bundle with a Verizon MiFi mobile hotspot. That MiFi gives you a roundabout route to Verizon's 3G network, since the Verizon iPad apparently isn't CDMA. Which is disappointing!

Pricing is on par: an 16GB Wi-Fi iPad bundled with MiFi will cost $630, 32GB Wi-Fi iPad + MiFi will be $730, and 64GB Wi-Fi iPad plus MiFi will be $830. The MiFi data plan will apparently offer up to 1GB of data for $20/month, no contract required.


Wi-Fi only models will also be sold, and while pricing for those hasn't been announced yet it's hard to imagine that it'd be appreciably different from AT&T's offering. There's no mention in the release of if or when you can preorder, although you can "sign up for more information" here.

It's not all bad news for AT&T; Apple's incumbent carrier will begin selling their 3G iPad in its own stores on October 28th as well. And the iPad's already infiltrated other retailers like Best Buy and Walmart. Although this does seems to lend even more credence to those early 2011 Verizon iPhone reports, which should make you as happy as it makes AT&T nervous. Although hopefully you won't need a bundled MiFi for the phone.

Verizon Wireless Offers iPad at Stores Nationwide on October 28 BASKING RIDGE, N.J. & CUPERTINO, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)— Verizon Wireless and Apple® today announced that iPad™ will be available at over 2,000 Verizon Wireless Stores nationwide beginning Thursday, October 28. Verizon Wireless will offer three bundles, all featuring an iPad Wi-Fi model and a Verizon MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot, for a suggested retail price of $629.99 for iPad Wi-Fi 16GB + MiFi, $729.99 for iPad Wi-Fi 32GB + MiFi and $829.99 for iPad Wi-Fi 64GB + MiFi. Verizon Wireless is offering a monthly access plan to iPad customers of up to 1GB of data for just $20 a month. In addition, Verizon Wireless will also offer all three iPad Wi-Fi models on a stand-alone basis. "This is the perfect pairing for holiday travels," said John Stratton, chief operating officer for Verizon Wireless. "iPad together with the nation's largest and most reliable 3G data network allows customers to easily connect on the go wherever they are." "We're thrilled to be working with Verizon Wireless to get iPad into the hands of even more customers this holiday season," said Tim Cook, Apple's COO. "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." iPad allows users to browse the web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch HD videos, listen to music, play games, read ebooks and much more, all using iPad's revolutionary Multi-Touch™ user interface. iPad Wi-Fi models are just 0.5 inches thick and weigh just 1.5 pounds-thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook-and deliver up to 10 hours of battery life.* Apple's App Store℠ offers iPad users access to the world's largest catalog of apps with over 280,000 apps and more than 30,000 iPad specific apps in 20 categories, including games, business, news, sports, health, reference and travel. With Apple's iBookstore℠, the best way to browse, buy and read books on a mobile device, iPad users have access to more than 100,000 books from major and independent publishers. MiFi 2200 is small enough to fit in a pocket and allows customers to create a personal Wi-Fi cloud capable of sharing the high-speed Internet connectivity of the Verizon Wireless 3G Mobile Broadband network with up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices. The MiFi 2200's rechargeable battery provides up to four hours of active use and 40 hours of standby time on a single charge. Customers can sign up for more information on Apple's iPad together with Verizon Wireless' MiFi 2200 at www.verizonwireless.com/iPad, at any Verizon Wireless Communications Store or by calling 1-800-2 JOIN IN. *Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary.

Apple's iPad Coming to AT&T Stores on October 28 AT&T* and Apple® today announced that all three iPad™ Wi-Fi + 3G models will be available at more than 2,200 AT&T stores starting Thursday, October 28. AT&T will offer customers 3G Apple iPad Data Plans, complete with Apple's easy, on-device activation and management. All iPad data plans are available without a term contract and include unlimited access to AT&T's 23,000+ domestic Wi-Fi Hot Spots. "We can't wait to showcase the amazing features of iPad Wi-Fi + 3G in our stores across the country just in time for the holidays," said Glenn Lurie, AT&T President of Emerging Devices, Resale and Partnerships, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "With our breakthrough iPad data plans starting at just $14.99 and access to AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots around the country at no extra cost, our customers will have the best of both worlds." "We look forward to expanding the reach of iPad allowing even more customers to experience the magic of iPad for themselves," said Tim Cook, Apple's COO. "As we approach the holiday season, we are very happy that customers will now be able to buy iPad Wi-Fi + 3G at AT&T stores." iPad allows users to connect with their apps and content in a more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before. Users can browse the web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch HD videos, listen to music, play games, read ebooks and much more, all using iPad's revolutionary Multi-Touch™ user interface. iPad Wi-Fi + 3G models are just 0.5 inches thick and weigh just 1.6 pounds-thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook-and deliver up to 10 hours of battery life for surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching videos or listening to music, and up to nine hours of surfing the web using a 3G data network.** Apple's App StoreSM offers iPad users access to the world's largest catalog of apps with over 280,000 apps, and more than 30,000 iPad-specific apps in 20 categories including games, business, news, sports, health, reference and travel. With Apple's iBookstoreSM, the best way to browse, buy and read books on a mobile device, iPad users have access to more than 100,000 books from major and independent publishers. Pricing and Availability All iPad Wi-Fi + 3G models will be available beginning Thursday, October 28 in AT&T Stores across the US for a suggested retail price of $629 for 16GB, $729 for 32GB, and $829 for 64GB. Domestic data plans for iPad are priced at $14.99 per month for 250MB and $25 per month for 2GB with no term contract. Both plans include unlimited access to AT&T's 23,000+ domestic Wi-Fi Hot Spots.