I'm really hoping apple will try to become an ISP and revamp our infrastructure.
Getting into the cellular game seems like a mistake, but investing in wi-fi "towers" to side-step cellular companies seems like a win.
The iPad is close to perfection, the next iterations surely will improve but only slightly and in maybe 3 or 4 years most people won't need the newest device anymore.
The same will be for smartphones in a couple of years, the limitations will be in the speed the carrier provides.
I don't mean that as a negative comment - they are about making shiny easy to use products and an ISP is not that.