iPad hacked with Verizon MiFi innards
Here's a mod for everyone crying into their Rice Krispies because the iPad isn't on Verizon. Someone at the Dish Network Store has taken apart a Verizon MiFi and crammed its brain into a 3G iPad (after removing the AT&T parts, of course). The result is a Verizon-powered iPad that's also a mobile hotspot called the "iPiFi."The MiFi's innards are narrower than the iPad's AT&T parts, but also taller. Getting it in place meant removing a portion of the iPad's speaker assembly. The modder claims that the effect on sound quality was minimal, and we can only take his word on it.
Those of you with a MiFi know that it shuts itself off after 30 minutes of inactivity. How would or soldering superhero deal with that? Why, install a simple switch from Radio Shack and poke it through the slot meant for a SIM card, of course. Now the iPiFi's connectivity can be restarted with the flick of a fingernail.
Still, two problems remained. One was the MiFi's blinding green power indicator light, which was visible through the display. That was easily removed with needlenose pliers. Finally, the MiFi was connected to the iPad's internal antenna which provides plenty of reach.
That's all cool, but what has he lost? His warranties, for one. GPS is also out the window. But those are small prices to pay for such a cool mod. An iPad that provides Wi-Fi connectivity for itself and four other devices? Yes, please.
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Here's a mod for everyone crying into their Rice Krispies because the iPad isn't on Verizon. Someone at the Dish Network Store has taken...
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Creative dude. This hack will give you a better cost/benefit ratio. Unfortunately, you get this at the cost of a working GPS and some slightly low sound quality from the speakers but for some, it's a pretty fair deal.
http://www.cdmacellulars.com/
"Those of you with a MiFi know that it shuts itself off after 30 minutes of inactivity."
Isn't there a setting to have it stay on?
why not just use a wifi version iPad? and save $130
June 18 2010 at 10:53 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyIt'd be nice if TUAW would cite their sources... http://dishtvhdstore.com/ipad-mifi-conversion-for-verizon/
And to all those saying it'd be better to just leave the iPad as it is and carry the MiFi around... well now, he has one less thing to worry about forgetting. Not to mention that it's way cooler to tell people he has a Verizon iPad, raising eyebrows all around the Starbucks coffee table. The GPS radio is attached to the 3G board, which is why he lost his GPS. Battery life will probably be better since the MiFi turns itself off after 30 minutes. On the original article, the author has pictures at the beginning of him holding up the iPad all put back together.
Thank you! I was looking for a link to the source.
June 18 2010 at 8:30 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyBesides, I didn't know the baseband and GPS chipset are delivered by AT&T and so I am really surprised they on T-Mobile Germany here ... Wow, what a well researched and phrased plus informative article !
Thanks a lot !
A.
Honestly the stupidest thing I've seen in awhile. Just buy the wifi iPad and have your Verizon MiFi with you. Works great for me.
Oh, and the fact that the Verizon MiFi costs $60/month and you just soldered it to your iPad? I can't even believe people think this is a good idea.
Hell, This mod rocks.
Now if he would have done this with a non-GPS model, that would take the cake... buy mifi + wifi iPad = myWiFiPad.
Not sure why he modded the 3G iPad when he could have modded the cheaper one instead.
I don't understand why he lost the GPS. I would actually try this if I could keep my GPS working as that is the whole reason I bought the 3G model.
June 17 2010 at 7:14 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyThat's an awesome mod - regardless of whatever functionality he's losing.
June 17 2010 at 5:01 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyAgreed. I'd love to look at it more, and see if it could be fit easier.
June 17 2010 at 6:12 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Replytrain wreck in paragraph 3 :D
How would or soldering superhero deal with that? Why, instal a simple switch from Radio Shack and poke it through the slot meant for a SIM card, of course.
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TUAW (or The Unofficial Apple Weblog) is a website devoted to tips, reviews, news, analysis and opinion on everything Apple.
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