iPad Wi-Fi + 3G: What exactly will 'unlocked' mean for roaming consumers?

According to Engadget and a variety of souces reporting on the matter, the iPad Wi-Fi + 3G model will come completely unlocked giving consumers the ability to choose the data provider of their liking

In the US, this means an AT&T pre-paid non-contract service, for now. Hopefully, others will follow.

Meanwhile, what does this mean for other markets? Japan for example, has always strictly held to a stance of locking consumers into their devices for multi-year contracts. Will Softbank, who currently operates the iPhone, or NTT Docomo, Japan's largest provider which is rumored to be eyeing this iPad opportunity, follow the AT&T's lead and allow a pay as you go non-contract, or at least non-locking plan for the iPad?

The latest rumors in Japan, more focused on general mobile phone use and unrelated to the iPad, shockingly point to yes. Rumors are that the major Japanese carriers are considering changing the business model to include unlocked phones allowing consumers to compete for their services, rather than the phones they provide. Though one Japanese article mentioned that these companies are feeling pressure from lost business as traditional users are attracted away toward the iPhone, which currently means only Softbank.

Now back to iPad. What I'd really like to know is, as an international traveler, will I be able to buy my iPad Wi-Fi+3G in the US and use it in Japan with a 3G data plan? Or conversely, can I buy my iPad in Japan and use it with a plan from AT&T? Since I'm not really willing to be the guineapig, I guess only time will tell.

Though ultimately, in my opinion, the best option would simply be to allow tethering with the iPhone. Why pay for two plans that do roughly the same thing..

No you can't haz Free iPads

Here's another little phishing scam to watch out for...

Hello ,

Your contact "_____@gmail.com" invited you to join our TestitandKeepit program.

At this time we are actively searching for people who will be willing to test the new Apple iPad. The testing period will take only two months, after which you may keep it as compensation.

To see more details and register to our program, follow the link below:

http://www.testitandkeepit.com/1

Thanks,

The TestitandKeepit Team

___



TestitandKeepit.com, 98 Springgate rd, Toronto, ON, Canada

I know, at first glance you think... 'What? Serious? I can haz free iPadz?' But then common sense kicks in and reminds you that you rarely can haz free anything on the Internet and this is most probably a scam.

Yet somehow you're still curious. Because, the thought of a free iPad does sound enticing. After all, with the initial disappointment with the announcement of the iPad, you were probably thinking that while the iPad is awesome, you wouldn't want to pay for it. But for free? Hellz yeah!

So if its not completely obvious, how does one get cued off that this is a scam? Let's look for some subtle and not so subtle clues.

1) Who is ____@gmail.com? (address removed for privacy)
Never heard of him. No mail ever received from him.
correction: This is most likely someone you know or at least has you in their address book.


2) What is testitandkeepit.com?
Google search.. results... complaints about scams and phishing

I think that makes it pretty clear, but let's go on...

3) Whois testitandkeepit.com?
From any 'whois' site, no mention of registration to 98 Springgate rd, Toronto, ON, Canada, which is listed in their mail.

4) Where is 98 Springgate rd, Toronto, ON, Canada?
Google Maps.... It doesn't exist. The closest relation is 98 Spring Gate Bld, and its very rediential. Probably not a legit company, though technical I suppose you could fit 50,000 iPads in a garage... They are compact.

5) What if I were to reply to the mail? (Bad Idea!) Let's check the mail headers:
Return-Path:
That doesn't sound good.

6) What is jumponmedia.com?
Google it. Page looks legit, but what are they offering? Free cash for spamming your Facebook friends? Yeah right... But let's check the Company link. Oh, it doesn't work.

And deeper inspection shows that both jumponmedia.com and testitandkeep.com were suspiciously registered (owner details withheld) to the same location in Westchester, CA.

Further search of the full address results in a long history of complaints about scams, spam, and phishing related to this address. I'm probably not getting a free iPad, am I...

Remember: Always use common sense. The Internet is both your enemy and your friend. Use it against itself when in doubt.