Apple Renames 'iPad Wi-Fi + 4G' In Several Countries After International Criticism
by Tommy Ly
May 13, 2012
Yikes! While the new 4G LTE-compatible iPads have been a hit in the U.S., Apple has been facing international criticism over its newest iDevice over the past two months. Specifically, customers in Australia and the U.K. have been upset over Apple's misleading use of "iPad Wi-Fi + 4G" in the iPad's advertising, as the new iPad can only connect to 4G networks in the U.S. and Canada.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) had this to say about the matter:
Apple’s recent promotion of the new ‘iPad with Wi-Fi + 4G’ is misleading because it represents to Australian consumers that the product can, with a SIM card, connect to a 4G mobile data network in Australia, when this is not the case.A lawsuit or two later, and Apple has finally changed the name from iPad Wi-Fi + 4G to a more vague iPad Wi-Fi + Cellular. Apple had this to say on the Apple Online Store for Australia:
This product supports very fast cellular networks. It is not compatible with current Australian 4G LTE networks and WiMAX networks. For service from a wireless carrier, sign up for a simple, month-by-month plan on your iPad and cancel anytime without penalty.To avoid further confusion, the name change is now live in over 12 countries, both online and in Apple retail stores. Do you think Apple should have been more clear when they first launched the new iPad internationally? [via 9to5Mac]
