14 DAY TRIAL // Apple has indirectly confirmed that the iPad won’t necessarily ship in the European and international markets at the same time as it reaches the US. The same goes for iBooks, which only seems to become available in the US, in tandem with the tablet’s debut. It may just be that Apple is still in talks with book publishers worldwide over licensing deals, according to a report.
As far as pricing is concerned, internationally, it is still unknown. Apple has confirmed that US customers will be able to buy the iPad starting at $499 with Wi-Fi and at $629 for Wi-Fi + 3G (both models with 16GB of storage capacity). “International pricing and worldwide availability will be announced at a later date,” the company said soon after introducing the product.
The list of bad news surrounding the iPad’s public launch doesn’t stop here. Apparently, the 3G model may not ship on schedule. According to Apple, again, “This device has not yet been authorized as required by the rules of the Federal Communications Commission.” “This device is not, and may not be, offered for sale or lease, or sold or leased, until authorization is obtained,” Apple’s main iPad page informs in the small print.
The iPad, introduced on January 27 by Apple’s CEO at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, is touted as a revolutionary device for browsing the web, reading and sending emails, enjoying photos, watching videos, listening to music, playing games, reading e-books, and more. It boasts a very responsive, high-resolution Multi-Touch display similar to that of the iPhone and iPod touch. Thanks to the big screen, users can physically interact with applications and content on a greater level. It’s just 0.5 inches thick and weighs in at around 1.5 pounds. Apple claims it’s thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook, although the iPad doesn’t fall in any of the two categories. It aims to offer the same functionality, though, plus more. The tablet is scheduled to become available in late March starting at $499.