Can I make phone call with iPad2?

Macaby, Skype works quite well over 3G. My husband and I travel quite a lot and many times one or the other does not have wifi available. We use 3G all the time although if we are using it a lot we don't use the video part in order to keep the data useage down but video works well too.

steeleblue wrote:

Macaby, Skype works quite well over 3G.

Thanks for the update. I only use Skype a few times a year (mainly in Europe). And of course, to use it there would require a int'l data plan which jacks up the cost a tad. Without a plan, I'm guessing it would be cheaper to just make a cell phone call with the add-on roaming data charge factored in to the total cost.

When my wife and I get separated overseas, we usually text our locations to get back together again. I think the cost of an int'l text message is 50 cents everywhere in the world. ATT does have an int'l text plan, but we don't text enough to break even on it.

Of course, all of the above is based on using my IP. To do the same with an iPad overseas would REQUIRE either access to a wifi signal or a int'l data plan since the iPad is NOT A PHONE!!! (for the OP).

Your basically right about the data charges. But last July I was here in the states and my husband was overseas. He had wifi but I didn't. I used my 3G connection but used audio only. We talked for 20 - 40 mins every day for 6 days and I browsed some. I used less than 400 MB. Wifi is always preferable but in a pinch without the video Skype isn't bad.

You seem to be up to speed on Skype, but for others who wander into this thread, my post above was not clear about Skype from overseas. Without a doubt, wifi is the way to go from that end.

In your response, you said you used 400MB of cellular data (I assume it was all during the 6 days). If your husband was on the int'l data plan clock, 275MB would have been $99. Still, that might have been cheaper than the time you spent on the phone if you were using ATT int'l dailing charges. Pack on some video and now we're talking a Luxury Car monthly payment using int'l data without a plan.

Note the next step up is for 800MB for $199. I don't know if you can combine int'l data plans (say starting out with a 275MB plan and when that is used up, switching to say a 50MB plan ($25) instead of going on the straight clock after using up a data plan.

The ipad, iphone and ipod touch are basically the same product. Apple forces you to have two to do the same thing, when each could do the same in one package. I undestand they are not marketed that way, but when will you realise you are being manipulated into using more than one device to do the functions each one is capable of doing by itself. It is a sham and a ripoff of your money.

clayfrommosinee wrote:

The ipad, iphone and ipod touch are basically the same product.

How in the world did you come to this conclusion?

Apple forces you to have two to do the same thing, when each could do the same in one package.

Well, I happen to have all 3, but I only use my IP and iPad. I had the IP 3G, 3GS, IP4 and IP4 S. I just received my iPad2 as a gift a few days before I got my IP4 S. I wasn't forced to buy the iPad and probably wouldn't have it if it wasn't gifted to me.

And I haven't clue as to why you think you're being manipulated? Your last post sounds like it came directly from Occupy Apple (if there is such a group).

Since there isn't any charge for surfing with wifi, I can only assume your rant is that you are paying for 3G service with your IP and therefore, should coast on any 3G service with your iPad. Under that logic, since I'm paying insurance on my first car, my second one should be free. Hey, if you can convince the insurance industry to go with that idea, you will then have my support for free 3G on all my secondary Apple devices. Don't hold your breath.

Re: cell data

My husband was on wifi and I was on 3G. Since I was in the states I used 400 mb or so of my 2GB plan. You're right about it being expensive if you have an international data plan but it is more manageable if you get a local sim. Although we try to use wifi whenever possible sometimes it's just not available. 3G is for those times.

Clay, I guess I just don't get exactly what your post has to do with the conversation. I don't have an iPhone or an iPod so I don't understand what 'forces you to have 2' means. Do you want a 10" phone? Or a 3-4" tablet? Guess I'm just dense.

Funny, I care less about the phone capabilty on my iPad.

(there is skype for that)

At least they make a 3g model 🙂

There is an app to use ipad just like iphone.

To clarify, I have my iPad set-up as a phone, and I use it exclusively as my phone, I have no other phone AND I'VE PAID NOTHING.

set-up a Google Voice account - it's free. Then download the talkatone app (also free, $.99 to remove the adds). Set-up your google voice account with talkatone and choose googletalk in the "make calls from" option. Any phone, cell or landline, can call you and you can call it. It takes about 5 minutes to set-up.

No fees, no charges unless you're calling outside the U.S. I guess if you're international its another story. But it's totally possible and easy in america to use your iPad as phone.

It's not such a stupid question "can I use iPad as a phone?".

Why?

I'm going to buy one tomorrow and am wondering whether to get a wi-fi or 3G model. The only reason I'd get 3G is because I could insert my or my wife's microSim from our iPhones in the event we don't have access to wi-fi away from home but need to use the iPad. This would be perfect IF the iPad functioned as a phone because obviously the SIM cards we would use are our regular phone SIMs and the ones that everyone uses to call us.

I'd only expect speaker-style function given the size of the thing but anything would be better than nothing.

So, if it cannot function as a phone we either save money and get wi-fi only or worry about missed calls while using the SIM in the iPad.

So for us at least, this is a serious question - at least in terms of deciding which model to buy.

I should add that we live in Europe not the USA and so the availability of cheap SIMs just for internet use and also the availability of wi-fi everywhere you go is probably not what you guys are used to.

scatts wrote:

The only reason I'd get 3G is because I could insert my or my wife's microSim from our iPhones in the event we don't have access to wi-fi away from home but need to use the iPad. This would be perfect IF the iPad functioned as a phone because obviously the SIM cards we would use are our regular phone SIMs and the ones that everyone uses to call us.

Unfortunately, that won't work. There's no phone software in the iPad. Sorry.

Gigantic buggeration, Batman!

Meg. Thanks for your swift response because that makes it a REAL easy decision for me tomorrow. I can save money and get a wi-fi only model - perfect for home use and only taken out when I know there will be wi-fi access.

Cheers and Happy new Year!

Depending on what sort of phone you have, you may be able to use the phone as a mobile hotspot on those occasions when you don't have WiFi access. Most iPhones and Android phones can do that, depending on your carrier.

Happy New Year!