AT&T to Sell iPads, Push Out Netbooks?

[Paul Daniel Ash]

According to unconfirmed reports from inside AT&T, the carrier is planning to sell Apple iPads directly in its corporate retail stores - and will also give the new device significant floor space. A tipster from AT&T told Boy Genius Report that most stores will take out one or more of their existing netbook demo spaces in favor of what is being called a "pretty substantial" iPad floor display.

“We’re told the general plan is to convert one or two existing netbook display sections in each corporate AT&T location into a pretty substantial iPad display area,” said Boy Genius Report's source, which was only identified as being “down South.” Apple has not yet made any announcement of how the iPad will be retailed, but it's assumed that the device will be sold by AT&T directly as well as by Apple, and possibly in retail consumer electronics stores that currently have Apple Retail areas, such as Best Buy.

Though AT&T has been aggressively promoting netbooks with 3G cards - prominently marketing "mini-laptops" from Dell, Acer, Lenovo and HP - it could be looking ahead to fulfilling customer excitement about the forthcoming handheld device with 3G data plans. Additionally, the carrier has historically given Apple what it's asked for in terms of display space when it releases a new product. Reportedly, the carrier rescheduled the original BlackBerry Bold's release date to avoid conflicting with the iPhone 3GS launch.

[mobilexile]

Dang am I looking forward to this!

[mikerlx]

I am buying this ipad and I will admit this will be the first brand new apple device for me everything else has been second hand ebay items. I am very excited!

[LSZ33]

this makes perfect sense seeing as how they'll be supporting the iPad from launch.

[lolcats1]

wow i just realized something moderately amazing. remember during the iphone 3gs launch they had the giant iphones set up in the at&t stores?

i just realized what those were. those were the ipad displays! xD

[RonHC]

man, if i had the money i would buy one but the only reason i would buy one is for iSteamy

[JayWheelz]

man, if i had the money i would buy one but the only reason i would buy one is for iSteamy

Man you made me spit my tea on my screen lol

[plcrules]

lol i just noticed that in all ipad previews there is never a calculator app
THERE IS NO CALCULATOR ON THE IPAD NOOOOO

[awesomeSlayer]

I gonna look forward to this.

[rhekt]

much easier for me. AT&t is much closer than my local Apple store

[Pitbull2o08]

whatever... stupid ipad.

[NCMacMan]

Here's a question:
If I purchase an iPad and then develop for it, is my iPad purchase tax deductible? I think so!!!

iPad, here I come!

[eg6motion]

it's likely the ATT ones will be 3G-required though, instead of the wif-ipads

[tudtran]

At&T is been living off Apple.

[xattica]

lol i just noticed that in all ipad previews there is never a calculator app
THERE IS NO CALCULATOR ON THE IPAD NOOOOO

No Calculator??? That’s my excuse to purchase one!

[pyromcr]

the ipad is good and all, but i would take a netbook any day over it...