iPad purchase

Loobeylou

So I now have my new toy ... I went for the 32GB non cellular version.

It's really no big thing, but I've now realised that this is the reason I'm not able to send and receive messages although I've managed to set up my email just fine. So what I want to know is, is there any way of now fitting a sim into this version? It's fine if the answer is what I suspect it's going to be, but just asking ...

Lifeforms

No fraid not.

Options now are tethering from a smartphone, using a mifi device, or hanging around free wifi hotspots.

(all of which can work perfectly well)

Loobeylou

I have an iPhone so it's no big deal, but because I'm not up to speed with these things I'm afraid I don't understand your first two suggestions. Can you please elaborate?

Lifeforms

Sure! As you've got an iphone, you can easily do it. Make sure your provider allows it/buy a tethering pack. Seems most providers wont care, will mention it, or it's included, or can be bought optionally...
Then basically create what is called a personal hotspot on your iphone. ?(assuming it's above the minimum iphone reqs)
http://ipod.about.com/od/iphonehowtos/a/Tethering-Ipad-Iphone.htm <-- a bit outdated, but as I don't know your model, it's pretty relevant still. This is tethering. On other smartphones, it's differently called, different set ups, but basically does the same job. (be aware, it does eat the battery for long term usage) can be useful if you unlock and take over seas, and use a in house sim (ie from that country) rather than using on a paid for network. Can often connect several devices (same as tethering)

Then you have a mifi unit. if you think broadband usb dongles plugged into the computer to give broadband over the air, then these units are just a stand alone version, that provide a wifi hotspot. Has start up costs (ie cost to buy) and running costs of buying sims. BUT you can get cheaper sims from buying each time you use all the data up from places like ebay, amazon. This is much cheaper than buying online from 3, voda, etc or signing up with a contract.

Then you have free wifi. Basically a lot of places offer that as you're out and about. cafes sometimes do limited if you buy something, or maybe the bt thing going around, or like mcdonalds. Free to connect, free to use, but wouldn't use it with buying stuff, password entry etc.
Previous two you have control over whom is on (you set your own passwords etc) more private, where as the real free, are open to public and all.

Lifeforms

as an extra. The tethering is dependent on your provider giving a good signal where you're trying to surf/email on the ipad.
But having done both with the tethering and mifi, I found the mifi better, as I used a provider which wasn't great where I was at home (my own wifi/network kicked in better then) but was better than my provider when I was out and about.

googler

Loobeylou wrote: »

So I now have my new toy ... I went for the 32GB non cellular version.

It's really no big thing, but I've now realised that this is the reason I'm not able to send and receive messages although I've managed to set up my email just fine.

You should be able to send and receive messages (assuming you mean the green messages app w the speech bubble), when in range of WiFi - I certainly can.....

Loobeylou

Many thanks Lifeforms and googler. I need to get my non-techie brain around that lot. We are in the process of upgrading our package with Plusnet, to get the super-duper fibre broadband (it's presently bog standard) along with house phone calls, and so the router is being upgraded to an N router I believe. Not sure if this has any bearing on this whole thing or not.

Yes I do do mean the messages which come via the green icon with the bubble. Presently I can write a message in the box but the send button won't highlight and is therefore non responsive.