CES 2015: AT&T Announces 4G LTE Smartcase With MicroSD Slot for Wi-Fi iPads - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

CES 2015: AT&T Announces 4G LTE Smartcase With MicroSD Slot for Wi-Fi iPads

AT&T today announced the upcoming availability of its new Modio smartcase that will add 4G LTE connectivity to a Wi-Fi-only iPad or iPad mini. The Modio smartcase will be compatible with the iPad Air 2, iPad Air, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 2 and iPad mini.

att_modio_ipad_smartcase
The Modio will allow Wi-Fi iPad owners to connect to AT&T's 4G LTE network using the data available on the customers' Mobile Share plans. Mobile Share allows customers to pay for a monthly data allotment that is shared between smartphones, tablets and other connected devices.

Beyond cellular connectivity, the Modio smartcase also includes its own 4,600 mAh battery to support up to 10 hours of use, along with a microSD card slot that can be used to store up to 32 GB of media and other files. Case owners can install the accompanying AT&T Modio Data application to monitor data usage and manage cellular plan details.

The AT&T Modio smartcase for iPad mini is listed on AT&T's website as coming soon, with a version for larger iPad Air models to follow. Pricing and exact launch dates for the new cases has yet to be announced.

Related Roundups: iPad, iPad mini
Tag: AT&T
Related Forum: iPad

Popular Stories

ipad mini 7 feature red and blue

OLED iPad Mini: Release Date, Pricing, and What to Expect

Tuesday July 14, 2026 5:45 am PDT by
According to the latest rumors, Apple is close to launching its next-generation iPad mini. So what should we expect from the successor to the iPad mini 7 that Apple released over 20 months ago. Read on to find out. Processor and Performance Apple is working on a next-generation version of the iPad mini (codename J510/J511) that features the A19 Pro chip, according to information found in...
iPhone 5c Yellow

Apple Pulls Ability to Restore iPhone 5c, iPad Mini, and More [Updated]

Thursday July 9, 2026 5:31 am PDT by
Apple has stopped signing several older versions of iOS for a group of legacy iPhone and iPad models, cutting off the paths to reinstall or downgrade the affected software. Apple will no longer validate over-the-air (OTA) or direct IPSW installs of the builds in question. Once a version is unsigned, there is no longer a way to restore or install it through Finder or iTunes. The change is...
OLED iPad Mini Feature 2

Upcoming OLED iPad Mini Allegedly Uses 60Hz 8.4-Inch Display Panel

Tuesday July 14, 2026 5:36 am PDT by
Apple is allegedly using a 60Hz 8.4-inch display panel in the upcoming OLED iPad mini, which is expected to be released later this year. The information comes courtesy of a hit-and-miss tipster running the account "yeux1122" on the Korean Naver blog. The leaker claims to have been told by a source in Apple's supply chain that the unreleased iPad mini is equipped with a low-temperature...

Top Rated Comments

151 months ago
Or you can get a hot spot or use your phone as a hot spot. Who wants to carry around that monster? Might as well have a laptop at that point.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
marco114 Avatar
151 months ago
Seems like it could use more functionality, like a keyboard.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
151 months ago
Then they need to do something like what Samsung did for the Tab Pro tablet:

http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/galaxy-tab-accessories/EJ-CT800UAEGUJ

This effectively turns the 10.5" tab pro into a laptop.

Apple has to start actually thinking about what it means to be "productive" and not just assume people want a larger tablet = productivity. Relying on 3rd parties to add the features to increase iPad productivity will result in a mishmash of disjoint add-ons that will cripple iPad's mobility in lieu of Apple simply not designing proper productivity accessories for the iPad.

The fact Apple has not created their own keyboard/case for the iPad speaks volumes of how far off Apple is in terms of understanding what it means to bring productivity to a tablet.

The most clueless post that I've read this week. But you are forgiven. :p

Apple created the MFi program to support a healthy ecosystem of third-party accessories that they then place their stamp of approval on. There's plenty of keyboards available for the iPad if you want one today.

While it would be *nice* for Apple to officially have their own full lineup of every possible accessory, it's unrealistic.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
151 months ago
If Apple is serious about iPad productivity

Then they need to do something like what Samsung did for the Tab Pro tablet:

http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/galaxy-tab-accessories/EJ-CT800UAEGUJ

This effectively turns the 10.5" tab pro into a laptop.

Apple has to start actually thinking about what it means to be "productive" and not just assume people want a larger tablet = productivity. Relying on 3rd parties to add the features to increase iPad productivity will result in a mishmash of disjoint add-ons that will cripple iPad's mobility in lieu of Apple simply not designing proper productivity accessories for the iPad.

The fact Apple has not created their own keyboard/case for the iPad speaks volumes of how far off Apple is in terms of understanding what it means to bring productivity to a tablet.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jlake02 Avatar
151 months ago
it'll probably also cost $10/month for the connection fee.

I was thinking the same thing. Absurd to charge each month to use the data you've already paid for. That's the deal breaker for me. I'll just use my phone's hotspot.


:apple:
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
151 months ago
it'll probably also cost $10/month for the connection fee.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

🔗 Related Apple News & Rumors

Stay updated with the latest Apple ecosystem news and verified rumors