The wait for the new iPad 3 pretty much began, for most people, a day after they got their iPad 2. Sure, most everyone who bought their iPad 2 liked it just fine, but there's always something that asks, what's the next one going to offer?
And indeed, Apple stepped up and filled the gap with Retina Display capability and a whole lot more. But one of the biggest features was the ability to share a data connection with other devices by way of a mobile hotspot. Though that feature won't be available just everywhere...at least, not yet.
Verizon put out the word that they have “every intention of supporting Mobile Hotspot on the new iPad”, and even better, Verizon also put out the word that their tablet data plans all include Mobile Hotspot, which will let them use the service without the need to pay additional fees.
Meanwhile, AT&T is set to lag behind, saying that they're “working with Apple to enable this feature in the future, but (they) currently do not provide it.”
This came following reports that neither company was looking to allow the hotspot capability to see the light of day. So now, those wanting hotspot capability right out of the box are pretty much bound to go to Verizon, whilst those who don't care will have their choice of either major provider.
But that's the part that makes little sense. Why would AT&T allow Verizon to get such an edge in the market? Admittedly, it's not a big edge, and certainly the pool of new iPad buyers is sufficiently large that both companies will probably sell all they want and then some.
But still, why allow Verizon a foothold that AT&T doesn't have and doesn't seem terribly interested in getting? Some have suggested that it's an issue of getting customers more interested in mobile data use, where Verizon can recover costs, but why wouldn't AT&T have that same interest?
It's an interesting question, and one that will no doubt make itself clear as the initial sales numbers start coming in for each tablet.
Edited by
Jennifer Russell 
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