Next round of iPad 2 releases spurn India

By Molly McHugh March 23, 2011

Apple will launch the iPad 2 in 25 more countries this week, and India will not be among them. It didn’t even make the third round, where Hong Kong, South Korea, and Singapore will get the tablet in April. And India isn’t taking the news lightly: Consumers are so disgruntled by the rejection that many say they won’t purchase the original iPad at sale price and might switch their OS of choice all together.

Business consultant K. Purushottam tells IDG News that by failing to include India in its iPad 2 sales, Apple will lose his business. “If Apple delays with its iPad 2, we will consider buying a tablet PC from another vendor,” he says.

So why is India being left out? Analysts point to a few reasons. For starters, the Japanese earthquake and its resulting destruction have created production holdups for many electronics manufacturers, including Apple. It has slowed development of the iPad 2 and iPhone 5 due to the now-limited access to three-cell li-ion batteries and NAND flash memory, respectively. And it’s possible that this means India simple had to be crossed off Apple’s list in the short run.

There’s also the fact that India’s cellular infrastructure is less sophisticated that the other countries getting first (and second…and third…) dibs on the iPad 2. India is largely unable to support the 3G version of the iPad 2. In a recent study from self-described eTech group IMRB found that while 3G has been introduced to the country, it has yet to saturate the market.

Even still, if Indian consumers do indeed ban together to blacklist Apple products or even just the iPad and (once it makes its way to the country) iPad 2, Apple could be looking at losing a significant amount of customers.

This isn’t the first time the international community has gotten the shaft on an Apple tablet. When the original iPad was released last year, its worldwide launch was delayed an entire month. The reason? “The iPad is a runaway success in the US thus far,” Apple said at the time.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Before coming to Digital Trends, Molly worked as a freelance writer, occasional photographer, and general technical lackey…

Mobile

Two popular iPad models just got pretty steep price cuts — from $250

A YouTube video playing on the iPad (2022).

The current and previous model of the entry-level Apple iPad have both received significant price cuts from Best Buy, so if you're on the hunt for cheap iPad deals, these are the offers that you wouldn't want to miss. The Wi-Fi, 64GB model of the ninth-generation Apple iPad is down to $250 from $330 for savings of $80, while the Wi-Fi, 64GB model of the 10th-generation Apple iPad is on sale for $349 following a $100 discount on its original price of $449. We're not sure how long stocks will last for these tablets, so if you're interested in taking advantage of either of these offers, you need to hurry with your purchase. If you don't act fast, you may miss out on the savings.
Apple iPad 9th Gen (Wi-Fi, 64GB) -- $250, was $330

The ninth-generation Apple iPad was released in 2021, but it maintains a spot in our list of the best iPads as the best iPad on a budget. It's still a very reliable and solid choice if you want an Apple tablet, with a 10.2-inch Retina display that's bright and beautiful, and smooth performance despite the relatively old A13 Bionic chip that was introduced in the iPhone 11 because it can be upgraded to the latest iPadOS 17. The device also features an 8MP Wide back camera, a 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage technology, the Touch ID fingerprint recognition system for security, and battery life of up to 10 hours on a single charge.

Mobile

The 6 best tablets for watching movies in 2024

Two iPad Pro tablets next to each other against a black background. Both have Apple's Magic Keyboard case.

Tablets are incredibly versatile devices, allowing you to surf the web, check your emails, or play games without the need for a larger (and clunkier) laptop. But one of the most popular ways to use a tablet is as a screen for your favorite movies and TV shows. Since they're slim enough to pack into a backpack and light enough to prop up while laying in bed or on the couch, tablets are a great way to catch up on your favorite shows.

However, not all tablets are great for watching movies and TV shows. Some are built with lackluster displays that can't capture the nuances of important scenes, while others are cheap and unreliable – making them a poor long-term investment. That can make it difficult to shop for the best tablets for watching movies, as there are hundreds of products vying for your attention. But if you know where to look, it's easy to find a premium tablet that'll serve you well for years.

Mobile

How to set up a VPN on an iPhone or iPad

iPhone 15 Pro Max showing the YouTube Music app.

Introducing a virtual private network (VPN) to your everyday web browsing is a smart move for a few reasons. For starters, it’s a great way to safeguard your user data when you’re surfing the internet. Because VPNs switch you to a different network and IP address, they’re terrific for accessing region-specific content. Have you been wanting to watch a series or two that’s only available for streaming in certain countries? A VPN will let you watch these movies and shows! And one of the best parts of the VPN experience is it’s not just limited to your PC.

In fact, you’ll even be able to use one on your iPhone. Back when iOS 15 rolled out, Apple also introduced a feature called Private Relay, which can be used alongside a VPN for an even bigger boost in web security.