14 DAY TRIAL // Multiple reports reveal that two filings for the iPad have appeared in the Federal Communications Commission database. Spotted one day after Apple made pre-orders available for the iPad, the filings are for the Wi-Fi (A1219) and the Wi-Fi + 3G (A1337) models of the iPad.
Discovered by tech-site Engadget, the filings evidently reveal few details, with Apple requesting 180 days of confidentiality on external photos, internal photos, test setup photos and the user manual for the device. Reports reveal, however, that both the WiFi and WiFi+3G models have been tested for 802.11a/b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.0. Particularly, the Wi-Fi + 3G model has been tested for GSM 850/1900 and UMTS 850/1900, according to the same source.
In related news, Ookla has updated the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Broadband Test application for iPhone and iPod touch. The software, sure to be compatible with the iPad once the device becomes available, provides consumers with information about the quality and speed of their mobile data connection.
According to the app’s description, users can test their upload and download speed, as well as the latency of their mobile broadband connection. Ultimately, the result can be shared with a simple email export, and can even be used to analyze the quality and coverage of mobile broadband connections across the United States. The move is tied to a larger effort by the FCC as it aims to pinpoint areas with insufficient or nonexistent access to broadband, according to Ookla. The developer also notes that said test results may vary based on several factors. Those include location, end-user hardware, network congestion, and even time of day.
The FCC Mobile Broadband Test app currently requires an iPhone or iPod touch with iPhone OS 3.0 or later installed. The current version, 1.0.2, contains visual updates and fixes for bugs found in the previous installment.
