It may not be the Verizon/Apple news that everyone is hoping for, but we're getting closer.  Today the two companies announced that Verizon Wireless will begin selling all three WiFi iPad models in the carrier's stores on October 28th.  The iPads will come bundled with a MiFi Mobile Hotspot and will be priced at $629.99, $729.99, and $829.99 for the 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB models, respectively.  Plan options are slim, with only one option available: 1GB of data for $20.  The upside?  There's no contracts to be found.  If you're not interested in picking up a MiFi and plan to stick to WiFi networks only, Verizon will also be selling stand-alone iPads.  AT&T will also begin selling the iPad on October 28th, although they'll be offering the WiFi+3G models for the same $629, $729, and $829 prices found from Apple.  You can check out the full press releases below.

While you're paying a bit of a premium for Verizon's MiFi and iPad bundle compared to a normal WiFi-only iPad, the monthly data pricing is pretty awesome.  Keep in mind that you can connect up to five devices to the MiFi at once, and normal data options for the mobile hotspot are either $40 for 250MB or $60 for 5GB.  Plus, I believe that this news bodes well for the rumored Verizon iPhone in January.  It shows that the two companies are working together, and you know that releasing the iPhone on VZW has to have come up in those meetings.  I haven't really been a believer of the "Verizon iPhone in January" rumors in the past, but it definitely seems as though things are beginning to fall into place.

UPDATE: More details on Verizon's data plan options for the MiFi+iPad combo have come out: along with 1GB for $20, customers can also choose either $35 for 3GB or $50 for 5GB.  Overages are charged by the gigabyte and will run users either $20, $10, or $10, respectively.

Verizon Wireless Offers iPad at Stores Nationwide on October 28

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. & CUPERTINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Verizon Wireless and Apple® today announced that iPad™ will be available at over 2,000 Verizon Wireless Stores nationwide beginning Thursday, October 28. Verizon Wireless will offer three bundles, all featuring an iPad Wi-Fi model and a Verizon MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot, for a suggested retail price of $629.99 for iPad Wi-Fi 16GB + MiFi, $729.99 for iPad Wi-Fi 32GB + MiFi and $829.99 for iPad Wi-Fi 64GB + MiFi. Verizon Wireless is offering a monthly access plan to iPad customers of up to 1GB of data for just $20 a month. In addition, Verizon Wireless will also offer all three iPad Wi-Fi models on a stand-alone basis.

"This is the perfect pairing for holiday travels," said John Stratton, chief operating officer for Verizon Wireless. "iPad together with the nation's largest and most reliable 3G data network allows customers to easily connect on the go wherever they are."

"We're thrilled to be working with Verizon Wireless to get iPad into the hands of even more customers this holiday season," said Tim Cook, Apple's COO. "iPad allows users to connect with their apps and content in a more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before, and together with Verizon Wireless we're offering an easy way to stay connected wherever you go."

iPad allows users to browse the web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch HD videos, listen to music, play games, read ebooks and much more, all using iPad's revolutionary Multi-Touch™ user interface. iPad Wi-Fi models are just 0.5 inches thick and weigh just 1.5 pounds-thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook-and deliver up to 10 hours of battery life.*

Apple's App Store? offers iPad users access to the world's largest catalog of apps with over 280,000 apps and more than 30,000 iPad specific apps in 20 categories, including games, business, news, sports, health, reference and travel. With Apple's iBookstore?, the best way to browse, buy and read books on a mobile device, iPad users have access to more than 100,000 books from major and independent publishers.

MiFi 2200 is small enough to fit in a pocket and allows customers to create a personal Wi-Fi cloud capable of sharing the high-speed Internet connectivity of the Verizon Wireless 3G Mobile Broadband network with up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices. The MiFi 2200's rechargeable battery provides up to four hours of active use and 40 hours of standby time on a single charge.

Customers can sign up for more information on Apple's iPad together with Verizon Wireless' MiFi 2200 at www.verizonwireless.com/iPad, at any Verizon Wireless Communications Store or by calling 1-800-2 JOIN IN.

*Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary.

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable and largest wireless voice and 3G data network, serving more than 92 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 79,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, NASDAQ: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com.

Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork, and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple is reinventing the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced its magical iPad which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices.

Apple's iPad Coming to AT&T Stores on October 28

DALLAS and CUPERTINO, California-October 14, 2010-AT&T* and Apple® today announced that all three iPad™ Wi-Fi + 3G models will be available at more than 2,200 AT&T Stores starting Thursday, October 28. AT&T will offer customers 3G pre-paid data plans for iPad, complete with Apple's easy on-device activation and management. All iPad data plans are available without a term contract and include unlimited access to AT&T's 23,000+ domestic Wi-Fi Hot Spots.

"We can't wait to showcase the amazing features of iPad Wi-Fi + 3G in our stores across the country just in time for the holidays," said Glenn Lurie, AT&T President of Emerging Devices, Resale and Partnerships, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "With our breakthrough iPad data plans starting at just $14.99 and access to AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots around the country at no extra cost, our customers will have the best of both worlds."

"We look forward to expanding the reach of iPad, allowing even more customers to experience the magic of iPad for themselves," said Tim Cook, Apple's COO. "As we approach the holiday season, we are very happy that customers will now be able to buy iPad Wi-Fi + 3G at AT&T Stores."

iPad allows users to connect with their apps and content in a more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before. Users can browse the web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch HD videos, listen to music, play games, read ebooks and much more, all using iPad's revolutionary Multi-Touch™ user interface. iPad Wi-Fi + 3G models are just 0.5 inches thick and weigh just 1.6 pounds-thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook-and deliver up to 10 hours of battery life for surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching videos or listening to music, and up to nine hours of surfing the web using a 3G data network.**

Apple's App Store? offers iPad users access to the world's largest catalog of apps with over 280,000 apps, and more than 30,000 iPad specific apps in 20 categories including games, business, news, sports, health, reference and travel. With Apple's iBookstore?, the best way to browse, buy and read books on a mobile device, iPad users have access to more than 100,000 books from major and independent publishers.

Pricing and Availability
All iPad Wi-Fi + 3G models will be available beginning Thursday, October 28 in AT&T Stores across the US for a suggested retail price of $629 for 16GB, $729 for 32GB and $829 for 64GB. Domestic data plans for iPad are priced at $14.99 per month for 250MB and $25 per month for 2GB with no term contract. Both plans include unlimited access to AT&T's 23,000+ domestic Wi-Fi Hot Spots.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

**Battery life depends on device settings, usage and other factors. Actual results vary.

Via iLounge