DailyTech - Apple Offers Aussies Refunds on LTE iPads Due to Misleading Advertising

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Gadgets Apple Offers Aussies Refunds on LTE iPads Due to Misleading Advertising
Shane McGlaun (Blog) - March 28, 2012 10:15 AM

26 comment(s) - last by petrosy.. on Mar 30 at 4:48 PM

New iPad won't connect to Australian 4G networks

Apple has found itself in legal trouble in Australia after the launch of its new iPad. The source of the trouble is that Apple sold the 4G iPad within the country, yet didn't notify the buyers that the iPad can't connect to 4G networks in Australia due to incompatibilities. That means many Australians purchased the 4G iPad only to discover the 4G capabilities were useless.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has taken legal action to force Apple to disclose the fact that the new iPad can't connect to 4G networks within the country. The complaint the ACCC filed with court in Australia claims that Apple advertised, "[The] iPad with WiFi can with a SIM card, connect to a 4G mobile data network in Australia, which it cannot do."

Apple has since agreed to post warnings that state "[The iPad] is not compatible with current Australian 4G LTE networks and WiMAX networks." The warning will be added over the next week.

The case will go to trial on May 2 with a hearing set for April 16. Apple has said that it will e-mail all buyers of the new iPad within Australia and offer them a refund on the tablet. Despite refunds being offered, the court case appears to be moving forward.

Senior counsel for the ACCC Colin Golvan said, "[Apple] seems to accept that there's a lack of compatibility. It's been completely indifferent to the Australian market."

Currently only one 4G LTE network is operating within Australia and is owned by Telstra Corporation. That network operates on a frequency not supported by the iPad. Another Australian firm called Optus is expected to launch second 4G LTE network in Australia this April, but that network will also be incompatible with the new iPad.

The new iPad has been under fire over heat concerns recently, but that hasn't stopped the tablet from selling in droves. Apple sold about 3 million tablets the opening weekend.

Source: Yahoo

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What's missing

By Reclaimer77 on 3/28/12, Rating: 0

RE: What's missing

By Solandri on 3/28/2012 12:44:54 PM , Rating: 4

From what I've read, the 4G only works in the U.S. and Canada, nowhere else. But Apple only mentioned it in the fine print, while the ads had 4G emblazoned on them.

You'd think a company with as much cash as they have would pay for different packaging and marketing materials outside the U.S. and Canada. Ones which don't mention 4G. Or better yet, would actually pay for 4G radios which operate at the frequencies used for 4G in the rest of the world, rather than manufacture one model to sell throughout the world. But I suppose that would mean one less reason for people to buy another iPad when the version with 4G support in their country comes out.

Kudos for doing the right thing and giving out refunds though.

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RE: What's missing

By chrnochime on 3/28/2012 1:34:15 PM , Rating: 2

The news article did not mention that Apple brought this fact up before the CCC got involved...

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RE: What's missing

By Reclaimer77 on 3/28/2012 4:32:59 PM , Rating: 2

Frankly Australia isn't a large enough market to warrant those decisions, that's why. I think the better question is, why did Australia decide to adopt a 4G network that's incompatible with 4G devices? You say "the rest of the world", but that's exactly what Apple IS doing. The iPad complies with international 3G and 4G standards. It's Australia who decided to exclude the "rest of the world" in their 4G network that doesn't comply with INTERNATIONAL standards.

I love bashing Apple as much as the next guy, but on this issue I can't really find them at fault. Mislead Australians? Come on.

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RE: What's missing

By Solandri on 3/28/2012 5:28:10 PM , Rating: 4

quote:
You say "the rest of the world", but that's exactly what Apple IS doing. The iPad complies with international 3G and 4G standards. It's Australia who decided to exclude the "rest of the world" in their 4G network that doesn't comply with INTERNATIONAL standards.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3GPP_Long_Term_Evolut...
Australia's 4G network uses the 1800 MHz band.
Asia uses 1800 and 2600 MHz.
Europe uses 800, 1800, and 2600 MHz.

In other words, Australia's 4G network uses the same band as the rest of the world. Literally.

The U.S. and Canada use 700/800 MHz and 1700/1900 Mhz (bracketing 1800). These are the frequencies the iPad's radio uses for 4G. Except for 800 MHz with a few carriers in Europe, the new iPad's 4G is incompatible with the rest of the world.

Apple really should be installing radios with frequencies compatible with the 4G service of the country the iPad is sold in. But for whatever reason, they're not. They're taking the North American iPad and selling it in other countries. This problem is solely and entirely one of Apple's own making.

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RE: What's missing

By Reclaimer77 on 3/28/12, Rating: -1

By Reclaimer77 on 3/28/2012 6:27:44 PM , Rating: -1

Okay well you just want to go out of your way to make Apple the guilty party here, and frankly I don't love them or even respect them enough to go on and on defending them.

I don't understand how something that works in the majority of the world's landmasses (North America, Asia, Europe) can be called "incompatible with the rest of the world." That makes sense to you? Is the "rest of the world" unable to use the 4G on the iPad? Pretty sure that's not the case.

quote:
Apple really should be installing radios with frequencies compatible with the 4G service of the country the iPad is sold in. But for whatever reason, they're not.

That would increase production and packaging costs. Apple is all about maximizing profits. Argh okay, there goes my bias again. ALL companies want to maximize profits. And, again, Australia is a TINY market Solandri. What company would do something like that for such a miniscule gain?

Apple knows idiots are going to buy their crap no matter what, so why bother?

Again, Australia chose to build a 4G network that only works on one frequency for whatever stupid reason. Using your own examples, nobody else did that. This is Australia's problem. Apple didn't go out of their way to single them out, stop making it sound like that's what happened here.

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RE: What's missing

By Dylan15 on 3/28/2012 10:59:37 PM , Rating: 3

Did you even READ the link posted above. Because if you did and understood english, you would have realised that the US and Canada are the only countries in the world to use that frequency!

Hence this iPad only works in the US and Canada ONLY, not in ANY OTHER COUNTRY.

God you mactards take the cake for the most uninformed/delusional people on the face of the planet!

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RE: What's missing

By Reclaimer77 on 3/28/2012 11:58:10 PM , Rating: 2

I cannot believe you just called ME, Reclaimer77, a "mactard" on Daily Tech. Not a single soul here would agree with that assessment. I'm one of the most vocal "anti mac" people here. Not only have I never owned an Apple product and never will, but I also refuse to use Quicktime, iTunes, and whatever else they've touched.

quote:
Hence this iPad only works in the US and Canada ONLY, not in ANY OTHER COUNTRY.

I'm also one of the most pro-American posters here. In my mind if something "only" works in North America, that's working as intended. It's the rest of the world, including Australia, that is wrong.

Uniformed people? That's not me. The uninformed people were those who purchased this product without doing the research first. They probably camped out in front of stores for the stupid things, oblivious to the technical details.

But you really need to chill out and stop trying to make this personal. If you really care THAT much about a few Australians who got pissed off, your blood pressure must be soaring.

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RE: What's missing

By Reclaimer77 on 3/29/2012 1:52:04 AM , Rating: 2

Oh I guess I'm being a "mactard" again, but this hardly seems like an Apple-exclusive issue. Nor is it unique apparently.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-57355741-266/wor...

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RE: What's missing

By nangryo on 3/29/2012 2:07:01 AM , Rating: 3

quote:
I'm also one of the most pro-American posters here. In my mind if something "only" works in North America, that's working as intended. It's the rest of the world, including Australia, that is wrong.

Really.

Be a pro supporter doesn't meant make you blind to others.

What makes you think North USA/Canada is the center of the world.

Asia+Australia+Europe combined is more user based than North USA, so your assumption that if they not following USA standard is just retarded

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RE: What's missing

By Reclaimer77 on 3/29/2012 8:27:38 AM , Rating: 2

ohhh hit a nerve? LOL lighten up pal. Can't I have any fun around here?

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RE: What's missing

By safcman84 on 3/29/2012 4:53:01 AM , Rating: 1

quote:
It's the rest of the world, including Australia, that is wrong.

And American's wonder why the rest of the world think they are the most arrogant and ignorant people in the world.

If everybody thought like you, then we'd be up shit creek without a paddle

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RE: What's missing

By Reclaimer77 on 3/29/2012 8:29:58 AM , Rating: 2

Please. Arrogant? Have you ever been to France? :)

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RE: What's missing

By safcman84 on 3/29/2012 8:50:45 AM , Rating: 3

Yes, I live there and my wife is French...

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RE: What's missing

By Reclaimer77 on 3/29/2012 9:02:16 AM , Rating: 1

I should have known just from the way you looked down at Americans in your post. Thanks for proving my point :)

Arrogant is kind, by the way. I could just call you a bigot. When you take one statement made by someone over the Internet, and translate that into forming an opinion about an entire country and culture, you become a bigot.

Here is a little piece of advice for you, and maybe some insight. Everyone thinks where they live is the center of their world, not just Americans. The word "home" is one of the most powerful words known to man. It's a basic and fundamental human condition. NOT a cultural one.

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RE: What's missing

By safcman84 on 3/29/2012 10:03:24 AM , Rating: 2

I pointed out that my wife is French, not that I was. I am actually English. By the way, way to go to you for being a bigot and labelling the French as arrogant while saying that I am a bigot for labelling Americans. You seem a bit confused - you can get help for that.

I also did not say it was my opinion that American's are arrogant, just that is the general image that a lot of people see you as. I was having a go at you for your attitude and other American's who have the same - I was not having a go at all Americans. I know and am friends with quite a few of your fellow citizens,not all of them, thankfully, have your attitude.

As I said, I am English. We drive on the opposite side of the road from most countries. I do not go around saying "we are right, everyone else is wrong" as your attitude seems to be. Nothing wrong with being proud of your home country, it is arrogant to say that your country is right about everything, is the center of the world and that you have the right to dictate to others what they should be doing.

Here is some advice for you:

Learn to read and interpret written English, before making a comment - you'll save yourself embarrassment.

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RE: What's missing

By Reclaimer77 on 3/29/2012 12:23:14 PM , Rating: 1

Condescending too, huh? That French wife of yours is rubbing off on you!

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RE: What's missing

By petrosy on 3/30/2012 4:48:19 PM , Rating: 2

America is awesome...the only place in the world where you can get internet access in a trailer park!

PS: You forget the with out the French you would not have independence! So zipit and be thankful for the French.

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RE: What's missing

By glennco on 3/29/2012 5:57:01 PM , Rating: 2

don't feed the trolls

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RE: What's missing

By xytc on 3/28/2012 8:11:16 PM , Rating: 1

I've heard that Apple's strong marketing campaign penetrates pussies, so if you have an Apple product you're nothing but a pussy. LMFAO

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No one cares.

By IronChef75 on 3/28/2012 10:22:18 AM , Rating: 3

It still has the geebees and the wifis.

RE: No one cares.

By chris2618 on 3/28/2012 3:15:57 PM , Rating: 2

Thanks for reminding me about that video. lol

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Tether to your local smartphone

By bupkus on 3/28/2012 12:53:23 PM , Rating: 2

Can't they tether their iPad to their Android smartphone?

<big grin>

RE: Tether to your local smartphone

By elleehswon on 3/28/2012 3:38:34 PM , Rating: 2

oh you :)

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Curious.....

By Cofiwch Dryweryn on 3/28/2012 1:30:22 PM , Rating: 2

The ifixit teardown on one of the first new iPads sold in Australia shows the package had a 4G warning label :-

http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPad-3-4G-Teardown/...

'IMPORTANT NOTE: This product is not compatible with Australian 4G LTE networks, and will only operate at up to 3G speeds in Australia.'

RE: Curious.....

By safcman84 on 3/29/2012 10:26:39 AM , Rating: 2

It was advertised as 4G with no warning on TV. That is why they are being taken to court over false advertising.

Apple know they screwed up, otherwise they wouldn't have offered a refund so quickly.

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"We basically took a look at this situation and said, this is bullshit." -- Newegg Chief Legal Officer Lee Cheng's take on patent troll Soverain