As a huge Apple enthusiast and long time user, I am greatly disappointed. This tactic smacks of bullying and very bad judgement.
Apple used to be a better, classier operation, than to do something like this.
If Apple were struggling to survive, and this was a make or break issue then it might be different.
Left alone to sell their product freely, Samsung is still trailing Apple by a distance so far they are no threat at all, and we all know that.
For Apple to pull a stunt like this is to send the world a message that there is no stopping the dictatorial menacing bully.
Apple wants everyone marching in lock step to their anthem. A cadre of drones.
Why Apple has to pull this crap is beyond me! It's as if they know that eventually Android will kick their ass, tablet-wise and they're trying to prevent it from happening.
Don't get me wrong, the iPad is a pretty good device but I don't like the fact by the time I finally save up enough money to buy one, a newer version will be out within a year of the last one, which is why I'm going to wait until the end of next year when I get to go to Singapore and buy one over there as it will be way cheaper there than in the UK, even after paying import duty and VAT.
I'd rather be a person who can decide for myself what I want to buy, device-wise than be a Apple Sheeple who read from the Gospel of St Steve of Jobs, Patron Saint of Hypocrisy and who believe that everything he says must be true, even if it turns out to be all lies!
Look at it this way, Apple are burning up goodwill like Gordon Gekko loves to burn $1000 bills just because he can!