What is actually ridiculous, is that Apple is not using a chip that is compatible with European networks. Most countries here already have available networks and they are real 4G and not what some Americans call 4G...I'm sick of being left behind just because we live outside of the US...
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Apple Offers iPad Refunds to Australian Customers Misled about 4G
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at&t and tmobile LTE phones *may* work on each other.
verizon, and sprint will use whole different frequency. so really it's the same thing as it is currently. verizon phones won't work on sprint (vice-versa).
us cell phone scene is quite miserable, especially for consumers.
Amen to that. I hope Apple reports how many returns they get specifically relating to this issue.
It was going to be an easy-money-making situation for some. Good thing Apple acted quickly.
I saw the ads, and don't seem misleading to me. If there's no 4G in my country, well... a 4G phone is not going to make miracles and create a 4G network by itself.
The iPhone 4s is 4G, and works with any 4G network and previous standards.
Shows the people need to get educated before they buy a product so they wouldn't complain and moan later.
T-Mobile's CEO said a while ago that their new LTE network will in fact be compatible. This is the reason why I'm still waiting.
By using 'exclusive' frequencies, they 'protect' themselves... I just don't know from what! If your service is good, there's no reason to worry about users switching to the competition. But in this country things have been working the opposite: Carriers will hook you on a 2-Year Plan to make it very difficult to switch even when their service becomes horrible.
I was hooked on a Sprint Plan once (good thing it was just a 1-year Plan, there were no 2-Year Plans back then), and all I had was dropped calls every time the signal strength decreased a little. I had to live with that for a whole year and left as soon as I could.
Now T-Mobile is starting to copy this behavior. I've been trying to change my current Plan (I've been Contract free for about 2 years now), but if I do, I would have to commit to a 2-Year Plan. Also, were I live now, the signal strength is terrible, so I asked them for a booster, and they will only give it to me if I commit to a 2-Year Plan. I'm definitely not doing this!
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People don't like to read the fine print, even when it's written in a large font in bold letters. If it's less than 18 points, they can read it!
Wirelessly posted
This is the best response. If you are upset about this, give us the iPad back and go fly a kite.
This is the best response. If you are upset about this, give us the iPad back and go fly a kite.
That's not really what it's about though. If there's no 4G in your country you know this. The complaints are about the situation where there is 4G in the country, the iPad is marketed as a 4G device, but it's not compatible with the country's 4G network and this is only made clear in the fine print.
The 4s is only considered 4G in certain places, obviously not in the places where only LTE is considered 4G
Agree. 1800 MHZ is apparently used in Australia, Europe and Asia - these are pretty big markets - I expect the next iPad to be more friendly to these markets - of course they may be waiting to see which way China jumps.
WiFi and whatever G iPad buyers probably won't return their iPads since they still get on the go connectivity.
If they have plans with Optus, Vodafone or any other carrier that does not use 4G then I would suggest that the 4G 'capability' was pretty low on their list of features.
That said, whatever you may think of the level of knowledge of the consumer that fact is that the new iPad's 4G specific capability in Australia is non-existent and so should not be promoted in any country specific advertising or promotion material (such as they Aussie Apple website) and their should be obvious warnings for the unwary.
I personally wonder what the people selling the new iPad through the Telstra shops were telling customers...
Thanks for clarifying that.
Well, when Apple released the iPhone 3G, I knew that it wouldn't work under T-Mobile's 3G Network, only AT&T.
If Apple is selling the iPhone 4S on a specific network, people should already know what this network supports... oh well.. I see your point. In a way, you are correct.
The "regulators" (that is, bodies which who would have the force of government authority to compel compliance with their requirements) don't have any definition of anyG.
Several voluntary industry associations (such as the ITU) have very loose definitions of what "4G" ought to be. But in the current revision of their recommendations, they really don't impose any compulsory technological requirements. They have basically said that they'd prefer if "4G" was used to refer only to technologies that show a clear move in the direction of being a forerunner to the "IMT-Advanced" specifications, but that ultimately "4G" only means whatever the specific vendor wants it to mean.
A phone company could deploy a huge 802.11g network throughout their entire service area, and sell "phones" that exclusively use that 802.11g connection for 100% of their communication all the time, and arguably such a service could easily qualify as "4G" under the current understanding based upon the effective user experiences.
The fact of the matter is that the device CAN do 4G -- what people in Australia do or can't do is up to those carriers. The device is a 4G device and people living in certain areas need to be aware of the limitations in their country or area.
I lived in area that for several years only had EDGE. I could not use a 3G iPhone so I never upgraded. I never even considered suing Apple or AT&T because I didn't have 3G. I knew the limitations of AT&T, my provider.
Bottomline, when Apple sales a device, it knows not where that iPad will end up. It could end up on the other side of the world. Apple is an international company and the iPad is an international device.
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I would certainly imagine that customers were advised over the limitation when the bought theirs. There's a lot of dialogue between customer and salesman with advice and instruction happening during the purchasing. I know when I went in to buy two iPads the day after iPads when on sale, the salesman was nothing but helpful, answering all of my questions and offering suggestions and advice. I was with him for about 15 minutes even though it was a straight forward purchase.
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The funny thing is that, even with customers being able to return the things, I would bet that most will not do it. They love the new iPad and most knew what Telstra could and couldn't do -- why? Because most already have cell phones and know firsthand of the limits. But even with Apple emailing and offering refunds, the government will stay in a tizzy and eventually fine Apple big money over this. Apple can't win.
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Here is what Apple small print says right now on the Aussie Apple website:
Here's a page specifically about Internet service: http://www.apple.com/au/ipad/4g/
I lived in area that for several years only had EDGE. I could not use a 3G iPhone so I never upgraded. I never even considered suing Apple or AT&T because I didn't have 3G. I knew the limitations of AT&T, my provider.
Bottomline, when Apple sales a device, it knows not where that iPad will end up. It could end up on the other side of the world. Apple is an international company and the iPad is an international device.
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I would certainly imagine that customers were advised over the limitation when the bought theirs. There's a lot of dialogue between customer and salesman with advice and instruction happening during the purchasing. I know when I went in to buy two iPads the day after iPads when on sale, the salesman was nothing but helpful, answering all of my questions and offering suggestions and advice. I was with him for about 15 minutes even though it was a straight forward purchase.
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The funny thing is that, even with customers being able to return the things, I would bet that most will not do it. They love the new iPad and most knew what Telstra could and couldn't do -- why? Because most already have cell phones and know firsthand of the limits. But even with Apple emailing and offering refunds, the government will stay in a tizzy and eventually fine Apple big money over this. Apple can't win.
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Here is what Apple small print says right now on the Aussie Apple website:
2. 4G LTE is supported only on AT&T and Verizon networks in the US; and on Bell, Rogers and Telus networks in Canada. Data plans sold separately. See your carrier for details.
Here's a page specifically about Internet service: http://www.apple.com/au/ipad/4g/
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Silly
This is silly. Apple specifically put stickers on the box saying, "IMPORTANT NOTE: This product is not compatible with Australian 4G LTE networks, and will only operate at up to 3G speeds in Australia." (see photo: http://guide-images.ifixit.net/igi/Kdi1XOouIp1VDAoN.large)
This is silly. Apple specifically put stickers on the box saying, "IMPORTANT NOTE: This product is not compatible with Australian 4G LTE networks, and will only operate at up to 3G speeds in Australia." (see photo: http://guide-images.ifixit.net/igi/Kdi1XOouIp1VDAoN.large)
Apple WERE doing everything right...I am surrounded by their products here , started in 2001 ....but now ....not the same ethic or business , IMHO .
They have a huge base of well shod sheep, who are dedicated followers of fashion, and are treated as such . Sorry, I am not a "Cool Dude" I use my macs for work, and my ipod for pleasure, and they used to work well....until the new ethic of ..."Don't use our products you paid big bucks for ... upgrade and buy everything again " took hold .
My pockets don't support a company worth more than Poland (BBC News)
What's silly is that they keep using it as a selling point if they know it's incompatible, asuming it was even Apple that put them there and not the carrier. Also, that sticker doesn't help much since it's seen right before or even after the purchase.
I didnt say 4G was bad, douche, until the carriers allow higher data amounts for cheaper its never going to be used to its potential.
Apple have screwed up with marketing as a 4G model worldwide, it was inevitable as soon as I knew the specs for the LTE radio frequencies. I'm surprised its took this long for trade regulators outside the americas to start throwing the brown stuff on the fan. Factually they are bang to rights as far as the uk's trade descriptions act and local trading standards agencies will be concerned.
Maybe they will have to end up giving a partial discount which I will happily take while also enjoying the speed bump to 3.5G with HSPA+ on the three network. I'll put that discount down on the 4th generation model which will have a true multiband LTE radio and by that time we should have a 4G network working here!
Maybe they will have to end up giving a partial discount which I will happily take while also enjoying the speed bump to 3.5G with HSPA+ on the three network. I'll put that discount down on the 4th generation model which will have a true multiband LTE radio and by that time we should have a 4G network working here!
Because America exists.
Proof?
S.I. units.
Q.E.D.
Anyways, hopefully Apple will start using a universal wide band receiver soon, that can transmit and receive at any commonly used frequency. Easiest way to fix the problem. Maybe with the "NEW New iPad". Or the "New iPad 2".