Verizon iPads finally ditch MiFi cards for real connectivity

Heriberto Cazanas checks out the iPads on display at a Verizon store in Coral Gables, Florida
Along with hearing the announcement about the Verizon iPhone Tuesday,
we've learned that Apple's iPad -- which has been marketed by Verizon
for some time -- will now actually be able to connect directly to the
Verizon network.

We realize that connecting the device to the network sounds like a no-brainer.

However, for the past few months, folks with Verizon iPads have had to
buy separate external Verizon MiFi devices in order to connect when
Wi-Fi wasn't available.

Now, as Apple's exclusivity with AT&T comes to a close, the iPad
will be able to connect directly to Verizon's 3G -- and who knows,
perhaps even its 4G LTE -- network.

The latter would bring it to parity with Motorola's Xoom, a new Android-powered tablet recently announced at CES.

iPads with embedded Verizon chips will be coming soon; however, an exact release date hasn't yet been set.

The iPad first came to Verizon in October 2010. Although connecting to
the network when Wi-Fi wasn't present did require a bundled MiFi, costs
were comparable and data plans were better than what AT&T customers
were getting..