Sweden, UK may also investigate Apple's '4G' marketing for new iPad

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  • Reply 41 of 159
    drdoppiodrdoppio Posts: 1,132member
    Just curious, can international customers choose whether they get a Verizon or AT&T new iPad? It is not clear which model one would get by default, considering that none would work as 4G on the local network...
  • Reply 42 of 159
    gatorguygatorguy Posts: 24,176member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by SolipsismX View Post


    It all seems above board to me.
    World ready. And very well connected.

    You use your iPad a lot, so you want it with you wherever you go. The new iPad offers the most comprehensive support for networks around the world. It?s designed with mobile antennas that access a larger frequency spectrum. That means you can get online almost anywhere you are. You can even pop in a local SIM card to get a connection when you?re travelling. Learn more about iPad with Wi-Fi + 4G



    Really really fast is your only option.

    The new iPad supports fast mobile networks the world over ? up to 4G LTE*. So you can browse the web, stream content or download a film at incredibly fast speeds. It also works on GSM/UMTS worldwide network technologies, including HSPA, HSPA+ and DC-HSDPA ? the fastest 3G networks out there. You?ll see downlink speeds up to 42 Mbps with DC-HSDPA and up to 21.1 Mbps with HSPA+**.
    It even shows a new icon.




    Built with the latest in wireless technology, the new iPad lets you connect to fast data networks around the world.*
    * 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.



    ** Based on theoretical peak speeds. Actual speeds will be lower.



    Solip, is that info posted on the pages where a customer orders the new iPad, or some other pages on the site, for instance if a customer wanted more information? I know on the Aussie product order page it never said anywhere that the iPad 4G wasn't compatible with any Australian 4G services.
  • Reply 43 of 159
    freerangefreerange Posts: 1,597member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by paxman View Post


    Launching a product world wide and advertising its 4g capability when in fact it only has this capability in north America seems like shooting yourself in the foot. Did Apple really use 4g as a selling point internationally?



    Bullshit! Here's the reality. THERE ARE NO TRUE 4G NETWORKS ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD!!!! NONE!!! The new iPad is as much 4G as those claiming "4G LTE", even when there is no compatible LTE access, when you factor in its HPSA+ band exceeds the lower end of the Australian so called "4G LTE" technical spec as Apple has been delivering 10+ Mbps. This whole issue is a sham as the fact is that the carriers themselves have been totally misleading consumers. Further, it is well known that it is Samsung that has been complaining and stirring the pot.
  • Reply 44 of 159
    pendergastpendergast Posts: 1,358member
    HSPA+ is 4G, as determined by the group that decides such things. Do these countries not have HSPA+?
  • Reply 45 of 159
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by FreeRange View Post


    Bullshit! Here's the reality. THERE ARE NO TRUE 4G NETWORKS ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD!!!! NONE!!! The new iPad is as much 4G as those claiming "4G LTE", even when there is no compatible LTE access, when you factor in its HPSA+ band exceeds the lower end of the Australian so called "4G LTE" technical spec as Apple has been delivering 10+ Mbps. This whole issue is a sham as the fact is that the carriers themselves have been totally misleading consumers. Further, it is well known that it is Samsung that has been complaining and stirring the pot.



    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_LTE_networks
  • Reply 46 of 159
    paxmanpaxman Posts: 4,729member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by island hermit View Post


    Huh? From the same link, 1st page:



    Ultra-fast 4G. Full speed ahead.

    Designed with next-generation wireless technology, the new iPad with Wi-Fi + 4G connects to fast data networks around the world. So you can download content, stream video and browse the web at amazing speeds. Learn more



    Why should people have to read fine print every time they buy a product. A feature like this should have a description in plain sight.



    And if you click on that you get -



    'Really really fast is your only option.

    The new iPad supports fast mobile networks the world over ? up to 4G LTE.2 So you can browse the web, stream content or download a film at incredibly fast speeds. It also works on GSM/UMTS worldwide network technologies, including HSPA, HSPA+ and DC-HSDPA ? the fastest 3G networks out there. You?ll see downlink speeds up to 42 Mbps with DC-HSDPA and up to 21.1 Mbps with HSPA+.3'



    It's hard to argue that this is not very misleading. The fine print argument is rubbish, and everybody knows that.



    Quote:
    Originally Posted by SolipsismX View Post


    Maybe Apple creates these small, silly upsets on purpose to get free publicity. Oh shit, did I create gategate?!



    But I have to admit it has crossed my mind. But really, I don't think so. All publicity arguably is good publicity but bad publicity is a real pain and reduces customers trust.



    I really think this was known to Apple (they aren't technically lying) and was settled with a shrug. But its a sleaze ball kind of tactic and much as I love Apple they should be taken to task for it.
  • Reply 47 of 159
    freerangefreerange Posts: 1,597member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Jonteponte View Post


    To be fair I think Apple f****d pretty badly here in Sweden with the iPad New launch regarding the "4G" thing. The operators did not seem to have a clue that the new iPad would not work on their 4G network even after the announcement was made by Apple. Our largest operator (and Apples original and exclusive launch partner) could not even answer questions about it several days after people started asking questions about it here and they even referred to blog posts on enthusiast sites clearing things up before they even seemed to get hold of an Apple representative to verify that it was in fact the case.



    And they still sell it as "4G" obviously, even though they have a disclaimer in small print on the same page. 4G here is LTE and nothing else. Now the new iPad is very fast on upgraded 3G networks and has been verified to be up to four times faster on a good 3G network compared to iPad 2 so people will probably be happy anyway.



    But! Since TeliaSonera is heavily pushing their 4G (LTE) network as they where the first operator in the world to launch LTE a couple of years back, and really want people to sign up to more expensive service plans it's probably a *huge* dissapointment to them that the new iPad is not going to help them do that. And it is beyond embarrasing that they did not seem to know this even after the announcement...



    So. Apple really need to start working on their communication skills when it comes to stuff like this or the operators might go from being pushed around to feeling downright ignored.



    Personally I fully understand the tradeoffs here and why support of the additional bands where not included but it still reflects really badly on Apple that they haven't been crystal clear in this from the get go.



    Clueless!!!! This is such bullshit! It is the carriers that are misleading consumers! There are no true 4G LTE networks AMYWHERE on the world! They all fall way short of true LTE speeds of 100 Mbps! And in fact, as you point out, with the wireless technology included with the new iPad (HSPA+) it EXCEEDS the lower technical spec range claimed by so called 4G LTE networks. People are being duped by the carriers themselves!!!
  • Reply 48 of 159
    paxmanpaxman Posts: 4,729member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by FreeRange View Post


    Bullshit! Here's the reality. THERE ARE NO TRUE 4G NETWORKS ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD!!!! NONE!!! The new iPad is as much 4G as those claiming "4G LTE", even when there is no compatible LTE access, when you factor in its HPSA+ band exceeds the lower end of the Australian so called "4G LTE" technical spec as Apple has been delivering 10+ Mbps. This whole issue is a sham as the fact is that the carriers themselves have been totally misleading consumers. Further, it is well known that it is Samsung that has been complaining and stirring the pot.



    Bullshit to you. This is techno gobbledegook and is a weak argument. Apple isn't technically lying but they are misleading. For some companies that works, for Apple it is a cheap shot and I suspect really ill advised.
  • Reply 49 of 159
    jragostajragosta Posts: 10,473member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Gatorguy View Post


    Couldn't Apple make all those points moot with a simple straightforward statement on the order page that 4G services aren't available to your country? They have country-specific pages making it any easy thing for them to do...

    unless thy have marketing reasons not to do so.



    This is probably the fairest comment I've seen yet on the issue:

    "I think, the best a company can do in such a situation, is to be very clear about the capabilities by using the terms for technical capabilities that are usually used in the respective country. And by "very clear" I do not necessarily mean a footnote in small print in light grey on white background. It's a matter of showing that you respect your (potential) customers."

    http://forums.appleinsider.com/showp...4&postcount=68



    Apple did make a simple and straightforward statement. They said that LTE was available in the US and Canada and that 'up to 4G' was available elsewhere. Since HSPA+ is classified as 4G, that's not an incorrect statement.



    Quote:
    Originally Posted by island hermit View Post


    Huh? From the same link, 1st page:



    Ultra-fast 4G. Full speed ahead.

    Designed with next-generation wireless technology, the new iPad with Wi-Fi + 4G connects to fast data networks around the world. So you can download content, stream video and browse the web at amazing speeds. Learn more



    Why should people have to read fine print every time they buy a product. A feature like this should have a description in plain sight.



    Read post #40.



    It's not really fine print - it's very clearly spelled out. But, yes, if you buy things without understanding what they're capable of, you may get burned.
  • Reply 50 of 159
    paxmanpaxman Posts: 4,729member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by NasserAE View Post


    All I see is Ultra-fast Wireless. Are you sure you are at the UK page?







    Are you kidding or just hard of seeing?
  • Reply 51 of 159
    jfc1138jfc1138 Posts: 3,090member
    I'm more and more getting the feeling the next big Apple-Gate will be a class action lawsuit pointing out Apple does not have labels on the iPad informing people which side to watch.



    Just think of all the sad people out their sitting confused and disappointed by turning on their expensive electronics and staring fixedly at an illuminated APPLE logo not knowing what to do next?



    Leading, of course, to the entire replay of anttena-gate: "You're holding it wrong" for the haters. I mean why should the user have to adapt to the thing only having ONE "correct" way (according to Apple's failure of a design) to have the thing face?



  • Reply 52 of 159
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by SolipsismX View Post


    Oh shit, did I create gategate?!



    +1

  • Reply 53 of 159
    toruktoruk Posts: 38member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by RichL View Post


    The ASA will definitely get involved in the UK. They've ruled against Apple, and even God, in the past.



    The ASA at its best.



    Quote:
    Originally Posted by jragosta View Post


    The fact is that it IS a 4G LTE device. Let's say that I live in a cave where regular cell service is not accessible. I buy an iPhone 4S. I can not plausibly claim that it's not a 3G phone because I live in a cave and can't get service. It remains a 3G phone even if I can't get service where I am. It doesn't magically stop being a 3G phone when I carry it into a cave. Similarly, a LTE device does not stop being an LTE device if I take it a location where LTE isn't available.



    The issue is not whether the iPad is a 4G LTE device. The dispute is pertained to whether Apple is using the term '4G' to market the service or the technology.



    Additionally, your analogy refers to the limitations of a particular area. However, the complaints are broader and are dispersed within a country.
  • Reply 54 of 159
    solipsismxsolipsismx Posts: 19,566member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by FreeRange View Post


    They all fall way short of true LTE speeds of 100 Mbps!



    1) LTE isn't a moniker given to a particular network speed. It's the underlying technology.



    2) If you meant to write 4G instead of LTE, as is common with people claiming that 4G is 100 Mb/s that is also false. Even if we take the outdated ITU-R definition of 4G a tech isn't 4G simply because it can achieve 100 Mb/s on the download. There are many other metrics that have to achieve a minimum performance level. Latency and upload speed are most notable.
  • Reply 55 of 159
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by jragosta View Post


    1. According to the ITU (which sets the standards), HSPA+ is 4G. So Apple is well within its rights to call it a 4G device. One could possibly make an exception in countries where the local law uses a different definition (like Australia), but even that argument would be weak.



    2. The fact is that it IS a 4G LTE device. Let's say that I live in a cave where regular cell service is not accessible. I buy an iPhone 4S. I can not plausibly claim that it's not a 3G phone because I live in a cave and can't get service. It remains a 3G phone even if I can't get service where I am. It doesn't magically stop being a 3G phone when I carry it into a cave. Similarly, a LTE device does not stop being an LTE device if I take it a location where LTE isn't available.



    3. Apple's advertising is quite clear as to which countries can use the iPad via LTE. No deception.



    4. Now, it's entirely possible that one might be able to make a claim against the carrier who sold you an iPad if they tell you that it will use LTE in your country and it doesn't. But that's not Apple's fault.



    This is really pretty much all there's to it.
  • Reply 56 of 159
    orlandoorlando Posts: 601member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by tinman0 View Post


    Anyway, run it past me again: we were all buying HD Ready tvs and there was no HD signal?



    Maybe Apple should have said the new iPad was "4G Ready"



    :-)
  • Reply 57 of 159
    alienzedalienzed Posts: 393member
    How about ANY of the carriers meeting real 4G specified speeds?
  • Reply 58 of 159
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by SolipsismX View Post




    What's funny is that at first people were complaining because it didn't have LTE that worked in their country... yet now those same people are saying Apple lied to them about LTE working in their country.



    My guess:



    You have zero evidence for this statement of "fact".
  • Reply 59 of 159
    paxmanpaxman Posts: 4,729member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Orlando View Post


    Maybe Apple should have said the new iPad was "4G Ready"



    :-)



    Apple should have been specific. Most people approach technology on a very simplistic level. 4G is 4G. Who the fuck knows about all these different protocols? In simple terms (and Apple likes simplicity, right?) the iPad works with 4G in North America. Period. No need to present the the 4G moniker all over the world if it is useless.
  • Reply 60 of 159
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Orlando View Post


    Maybe Apple should have said the new iPad was "4G Ready"



    :-)



    That would have been a better way to do things.



    Good enough? I dunno.
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