Apple has made a change to how it markets the new third-generation iPad around the world following complaints from an Australian competition regulator. The ACCC took Apple to court in the land down under over the latest iPad’s “4G” branding. Apple marketed the tablet in Australia as being capable of 4G data speeds despite the fact that the new iPad cannot currently use a 4G network in the country.
Without any public statement or announcement Apple has quietly changed the new iPad’s “Wi-Fi + 4G” label to “WiFi + Cellular.”
The change was spotted earlier today, but it looks like Apple started making the change to its online stores around the world over the last couple days. Apple’s online stores in Australia, the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and more now all show the new label.
In Australia specifically Apple makes it clear that “This product supports very fast cellular networks. It is not compatible with current Australian 4G LTE networks and WiMAX networks.”
The new “Wi-Fi + Cellular” branding should keep Apple out of hot water in other countries where the new iPad can’t actually take advantage of 4G data speeds, like the United Kingdom. After this weekend the new iPad will be available in 90 countries.
Apple’s new iPad can technically only use a total of 5 4G networks in the United States and Canada. At the third-gen iPad event in March Apple said that it was working to add more 4G partners around the world.
Via: 9to5Mac
Alex Heath is a journalist who works for Tech Insider. He’s the former co-host of The CultCast. He has been quoted by the likes of the BBC, KRON 4 News, and books like “ICONIC: A Photographic Tribute to Apple Innovation.” He lives in Lexington, Kentucky. If you want to pitch a story, share a tip, or just get in touch, additional contact information is available on his personal site. Follow him on Twitter.
16 responses to “Apple Drops “4G” Branding From New iPad Following International Complaints”
The ACCC should just get the hell over this. It’s a 4G device period. And from what I understand Australian’s classifications of 4G is more true 4G then what you have in the states. It will be very interesting what will happen when the iPhone 5 is announced as 4G.
Apple need to stop selling products over there.
If the company is successful. That’s not allowed. Clearly
I find the comments so far somewhat funny and pitiful. I wonder how you would react if you buy a device that is advertised with 4G capabilities, just to find out you can’t use it in the US. Try to see the things from other peoples perspectives. This ruling is a good thing for the consumers.
You can sue someone because your country sucks? I wish I knew that earlier.
There are places in the US where you cannot use 4G. Luckily, those towns weren’t stupid enough to sue a device manufacturer because of their lack of cellular infrastructure.
the ACCC didn’t sue Apple. the ACCC made Apple change it’s advertising because it was false. doesn’t matter if you are a Apple fan boy or Apple hater no company should be advertising something that cannot achieve.
I don’t respond to you directly since the fact that you need to use improper language to adress me, tells me that you are likely unable to get my point. Your comparison also shows that you do not know what the 4G concern actually is about.
No, the ACCC is a body set up by the government to protect the consumer and uphold Australian consumer law. Australian consumer law states, no product may be sold that does not work as advertised, and that the advertisements are to be true and factual in their claims. Apples 4G iPad chipset won’t work ANYWHERE out side of Nth America. You can’t call it a 4G iPad when the 4G is totally ineffectual in that country. That is clearly misleading. If Apple weren’t wrong, then why are they changing their advertising? Is it so hard for them to add a compliant 4G chip into each country specific device? Samsung does it. I think you need to grow the hell up and show some respect for the laws of the land of other countries, or is that something Americans just don’t understand, or care to understand?
What’s GUGGENHEIM???
If that were the case, the US would have been sued out of existence decades ago, along with you.
I’m sorry, what part of corporate responsibility excuses Apple from breaking consumer laws in other countries?
Um, what part of the advertising of the iPad 4G is correct? iPad, yes it’s an iPad. 4G, no its not 4G anywhere outside of the US. Why else did they remove the 4G line out of the advertising. If I advertise a Ford 4×4, but only runs on rear wheel drive, am I not making a false claim? Why can’t you yanks just accept it? Apple did.
And you wonder why the world sees your lot as arrogant and laughable. The world loathes you. As for the most important market, you obviously forget the 1 billion that live in China that Apple are salivating at, and the fact that Apple makes more money from international sales than US sales. Remember us, the rest of the world? Sorry I forgot, the world doesn’t exist outside your little world Apple backed down, as they should, but you can’t accept that. So STFU and take your medicine. We here in the real world will get on with business and leave you yanks gazing at your self importance in that mirror. Just keep pumping out those super hero movies to boost your egos and keep telling yourself how wonderful you are. (face palm) P.S. The rest of the world is sick of fighting your idiotic wars!!!!
There’s no official rule for what 4G is, but in my definition 4G can only be LTE
actually on Apple’s side here.. look at the disclaimer: