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Query about Ipad and the internet.

I apologise in advance for my naive question.

My hubby wants to get an ipad 64 3G for Christmas (which I think is way too expensive). He has a vision of connecting wirelessly to speakers around the house to listen to music etc. He isn't a techie person, nor am I.

I have read some reviews but I am not sure about internet connection. Everyone seems to be connecting to the internet by a special sim card which is bought from an ISP.

Is it not possible to just connect wirelessly like a laptop to our home broadband. Do you really have to pay separately for ipad connection? I am with o2 premium b/band at 10 quid a month and don't want to have to pay 15 quid a month just for an ipad.

Thanks for help.
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Comments

  • kwikbreaks
    kwikbreaks Posts: 9,187 Forumite
    An iPad will connect via WiFi and your O2 comes with a wireless router so you can connect to the internet via that. If you have problems ask at the time.

    The (considerably more expensive) 3G models also add the ability to connect to the internet via the mobile phone network but you'll need a data SIM for that (figure ~ £10 a month).

    I can't figure out what you mean by "connecting wirelessly to speakers around the house".
  • tonynw
    tonynw Posts: 304 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    If you get wifi speakers you can do it with any ipad

    Tonynw
  • JasX
    JasX Posts: 3,996 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    tonynw wrote: »
    If you get wifi speakers you can do it with any ipad

    Tonynw


    From what I understand there is no ipad required.

    You need an ordinary laptop/PC with wireless capability.

    Then either
    -Purpose designed wireless speakers, should come with software. That'll let you play anything you can currently get out of your PC via said wirelesss speakers.

    OR
    -A device that attaches to normal speakers that lets you connect wirelessly to them (eg the apple airport express has this functionality -£60 or sometimes £30 when very.co.uk mess up their offers/discount codes look up its specs on the apple website)

    OR
    some form of purpose designed wireless music streaming product

    eg http://www.johnlewis.com/Electricals/Audio/Wireless+Music+Players/Wireless+Music+Players/1332/ProductCategory.aspx?s_kwcid=TC|16229|wireless%20music||S|p|6684506578&tmcampid=38&tmad=c&s_kenid=168f90fa-3b0f-1689-eb31-0000149d59aa&s_kwcid=paidsearch

    probably overpriced... a guy I know at work has a sonos system he raves about.... but then again he is also someone who spent £110 on a special 'kettle' mains cable someone said will make his hifi sound better.

    The ipad just replaces the 'ordinary' PC bit of the equation as you can just pop itunes on any PC and it'll do the same thing (mostly)
  • earthlover
    earthlover Posts: 154 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    edited 14 December 2010 at 9:46AM
    Thanks for your replies kiwibreaks, JasX and tonynw,

    Hubby has his ideas and he thinks the ipad would be good for in the house and I would no longer need to use our ancient pc for many things that I do regularly mainly surfing, letters, emails.

    I just don't want to have to pay more to use the internet and from your replies it seems that I won't have to.

    He thought 3G would be useful for holidays, trips.

    Thanks again!
  • kwikbreaks
    kwikbreaks Posts: 9,187 Forumite
    earthlover wrote: »
    Thanks for your replies JasX and tonynw

    Sorry mine wasn't any use to you.
  • lucylucky
    lucylucky Posts: 4,908 Forumite
    "He thought 3G would be useful for holidays, trips."

    That is where the extra cost comes in.
  • I only use it in the house really and connect via wifi to the internet, control iTunes throughout the house.

    you dont need the 64 one if this is what you wantto do, only if you are wanting to travel with it. Although I am thinking about getting a mifi which is the cheapest option for connecting to the internet, if you dont need it on all the the time.

    PS. the ipad has changed how we use the net, as it's in the living room and regularly have to fight over who is using it!
  • tonynw
    tonynw Posts: 304 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    earthlover wrote: »
    Thanks for your replies JasX and tonynw,

    Hubby has his ideas and he thinks the ipad would be good for in the house and I would no longer need to use our ancient pc for many things that I do regularly mainly surfing, letters, emails.

    I just don't want to have to pay more to use the internet and from your replies it seems that I won't have to.

    He thought 3G would be useful for holidays, trips.

    Thanks again!


    Sent you a pm

    Tonynw
  • Kwikbreaks,

    Thanks , your reply was definitely of us and it was an error on my part that i thought your reply was from Jaxs. I also have to apologise for calling you kiwibreaks in my edited reply.

    I think I need to have a lie down and then put on my specs before I make any more blunders!

    Lucylucky and danartist,

    Thanks to you also for your info.

    I think I understand now. I can connect at home via wireless router. I only need sim for 3G.

    Who says you can't teach old dogs new tricks?!
  • Apologies to JasX for getting your name wrong in my apology to kwikbreaks for not thanking him and getting their name wrong.

    Also apologies in advance to anyone else that i may inadvertantly offend today.;)

    Danartist,

    You say I don't need the 64 version for just in house, do you mean I don't need the the 3G? I thought the more memory the better. Am i right or is 64 not necc. It doesn't seem much memory to me compared to my sons laptop which has 80 and he uses an external h/drive too. Can u save onto a hard drive from the ipad?

    Are you meaning to use mifi just for away from home if like us you would'nt need it for work, but just to have it available as and when ?

    I can see your point about fighting over it but i think i would win that argument as i am the family member without a laptop. HEHE!
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