[Hawkeye_a]

Few questions:

1. iPad 3G, will the U.S. release be 'locked' to AT&T in any way ?

2. Will i be able to pop in a compatible SIM from any carrier around the world ?

3. The black strip on the back of the pad, where the 3G antennas are (i presume)..... what is the material ? Is it rubber ? or is it a hard material ? essentially, i do not want dust sticking to it.

4. Do iPads come with international warranty ? I know iPods and portable Macs do, but i dont know about the iPad specifically.

Cheers

[Simon]

1. 2. Yes.
2. 1. No.
3. Not known yet.
4. Not known yet.

[Edit: That's what I get for not quoting. I had mixed up your first two questions. Sorry 'bout that.]

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye_a 

Few questions:

1. iPad 3G, will the U.S. release be 'locked' to AT&T in any way ?

2. Will i be able to pop in a compatible SIM from any carrier around the world ?

3. The black strip on the back of the pad, where the 3G antennas are (i presume)..... what is the material ? Is it rubber ? or is it a hard material ? essentially, i do not want dust sticking to it.

4. Do iPads come with international warranty ? I know iPods and portable Macs do, but i dont know about the iPad specifically.

Cheers

1. No. It comes with an easy activation process for two AT&T data contracts, but it is not locked to any carrier.
2. Yes.
3. Not known yet, but probably plastic (as on the first iPhone).
4. Probably, but not known yet.

[mduell]

Originally Posted by Simon 

1. Yes.
2. No.
3. Not known yet.
4. Not known yet.

Ignore his first two answers, they're completely wrong. All 3G iPads are unlocked so you can pop in a microSIM from any carrier. Note the iPad only supports the 850, 1900, 2100 MHz bands for 3G so you can't use Tmobile USA 3G service (since it's on the 1700Mhz band), but you can use their 2.mumbleG EDGE service (since the iPad supports 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz for EDGE).