Geri B

Well, I did it, I me gifted an iPad.......and I, being a non-computer guru, thought I should just be able to turn it on and away I go.....well it seems not so easy......here is my question: are those iPad user out here using their "smart phone" for wi-fi connection or their cable provider? I thought it was my cable provider, but come to find out, it keeps "falling off" and I guess I am told, I need an upgrade on my "router".......huh, But, then that only connects me at home.....if I take this "thing" outside, there is no connection....with cable anyway, so do I hook up to my phone provider??????? I am almost sorry I spent the money for this thing.....I need a class in it, and of course no hard copy manual.........I better just crawl back into my cave and make a fire with my piece of flint!!!!!!

Tartan

I am tech challenged but my son using his phone that has it's own router when he is away from home with the wi fi. I have wi fi at home for mine but a lot of public places have free wi fi as well. I can play with mine on the games that are not connected to the net but anything connected does need the router. There are lots of tech savvy people and hopefully they can give you better info.

Bevsie

Hi,

I have an iPad and I have an iPhone. The difference is that on an iPhone you pay for a data plan monthly which enables you to connect to the internet outside of your home or wi-fi connection. You can buy wi-fi iPads that require a data plan, mine does not and it sounds like yours doesn't. I puposely bought the one that doesn't as I have wi-fi and data plans are not cheap. But, you are right, without wi-fi you can't surf the web, but you can view your photos, play games, and read on it without.
Routers are not expensive and if that's the fix, go for it! You will love your iPad the more you use it.
My son has wi-fi at his house, I entered his password into my iPad and now when I visit him my iPad automatically connects to his internet. Same with my LQS and a few restaurants that I have previously connected it to.
There are things I don't use my iPad for, like my macine embroidery, but for surfing, checking email, games, etc., it's the quickest darn thing! Love it!
There are some videos out there on useage and you can read the manual online (I hate not having a book too!) and believe me, you won't be sorry!
PM me if you have any questions and if I can help I will!

Bev

EllieGirl

I have had an iPad for about three years. It just takes some practice before you get used to it. I have a router that provides wifi and I connect through that. They really are great to use and easy to sit around the house, surfing, and it's comfortable to hold.

zipit

You can get lots of help at an Apple store if you have on near. They offer classes on different products or you can make an appointment with someone at the genius bar. They have always been helpful when I've needed information. They will also help you via phone.

Peckish

There are two kinds of iPads.

1) You can connect via a cell phone network, in which case you will have to pay additional money each month for a data plan. I'm not sure if you can connect via a "hot spot" or your cell phone, but either way, you're still paying for a data plan.

2) Or, you can connect via wifi, or wireless internet. If you already have wifi in your home, there is not an additional cost. If your connection keeps dropping, it could be that your router is too far from where you're using your iPad, or you need to upgrade your router. I agree with the previous poster who said it's not that expensive. If your router keeps dropping, it's time to replace it anyway because sooner or later it's going to drop completely dead. We go through a router about every 3-5 years.

I have both an iPod and an iPad, and the iPad gets better "reception" than my iPod does.

barking-rabbit

I am self taught on my iPad. I just google my questions and study the results.

Bluelady

My IPad has built in wifi, but when at home I connect through my home internet provider and when at work I use the office wifi. I have a small data plan via Verizon on the IPad itself, it often runs out of data and then I can only connect via other wifi. But yes, I have also used my phone as a hot spot and connected using it. The hot spot connection is by far my least favorite. Slower and it drops off a lot.

Sandygirl

Shame on the person who sold the ipad without asking you some very important questions about your needs and set up at home.
Sandy

Geri B

No one sold it to me....Walmart has a "special" on Thanksgiving night-a gift card of $75 along w/iPad and I broke my own cardinal rule of being one of "those" shoppers and therefore no one to blame but myself...Not knowing what the heck I was doing...thought it was sort of like a radio, just turn it on and viola......learning a hard lesson.

Now I know I will update my cable provider's router-or whatever they call it...look into phone plan, take it to an apple store and see what else I can find out.....for example, I did not know, some have "built-in" wi-fi capability and some don't??????

I did not buy this thing to sit around playing games/looking at pics...I wanted it as a portable type laptop and utilize some of the tutes available on quilting, info when traveling, or just as a sort of memo/minder....guess I was not thinking right. But I do now know, never again get suckered into Black Friday shopping...or as it is now Thanksgiving nite, just stay home and do something constructive.......
I sincerely thank all the info that you all have sent here, and I will hopefully be able to use it and get myself thinking correctly about this "thing".........