Today is, of course, Apple iPad day. Orders are in and now we wait. In the meantime we have some additional information available about the data plan and how it will work. The information is such that it will change my decision on which plan to get when the iPad 3G ships, at least initially.

You see, I always assumed that I would sign up for the unlimited plan but the flexibility of the setup, and the ability to easily monitor my data usage, has me rethinking things.

The images on the site show that you can sign up for service right on the iPad. Because there is no contract you can choose to use a data connection all the time or just during those months you need it. Payment is through a credit card rather than adding it to your monthly AT&T bill (assuming you have AT&T) or through iTunes. This actually surprised me as I fully expected that if this was not an AT&T billing add-on Apple would at least want to run the payment through their system. Nope, it is direct payment via credit card.

The only thing I do wish they were offering is the ability to pay through PayPal. Perhaps at some time in the future…

Where things got really interesting to me when looking over the new information was in the ability to easily monitor usage right on the iPad. You can see how much data you are using AND the iPad will warn you when you get within 20% and then 10% of your 250MB cap is that is the plan you are on.

That means two things. First, it means you can initially get the smaller, and less expensive, plan and keep an eye on your usage the first month or two. Using a lot of data? Pay the extra for the unlimited package. Using less data than you expected? Stay on the smaller package and when you get too close to the cap in any one month turn off the 3G radio except when you REALLY need it. Then, at the end of the month, you can decide if you want to more closely manage when you do or don’t use data or simply bump up to the next plan.

In all I have to admit that, for once, Apple and AT&T have taken an approach that is flexible, simple transparent. I was planning on getting the unlimited package but, at least at first, I’ll see how the 250MB plan does for me.