As we slide closer to the iPad Launch on the 3rd of April, Apple started displaying iPad promo materials in Apple Stores when the pre-orders began 2 days ago.
As we slide closer to the iPad Launch on the 3rd of April, Apple started displaying iPad promo materials in Apple Stores when the pre-orders began 2 days ago.
It turns out that the rumors of Best Buy to sell the iPad at launch were true after all. It was last week when Best Buy’s internal inventory system was leaked showing alleged iPad dummy SKUs.
At the Goldman Sachs annual tech conference in San Francisco today, Tim Cook, Apple’s COO revealed that besides directly from Apple Stores, one can get an iPad from selected retailers such as “Best Buy” and possibly AT&T. Internationally, Apple Premium Resellers will also carry the iPad in stores.
“Over time it will expand.” But “Initially it will be around places with really great assisted sales,” said Tim cook.
It was also revealed that the Apple executive personally had an iPad for about 6 months now.
[via Apple Insider]
According to a report on the Wall Street Journey, Apple management will be “nimble” on iPad pricing, possibly issuing a price cut on the iPad if initial sales do not meet Apple’s expectations. This sounds like what happened when Apple released the original iPhone back in 2007, about 2 months after the launch, the original $599 price was down to $399. Which Apple offered a $100 Apple store credit to all the early iPhone adaptors. Could this be happening all over again with the iPad?
Although the iPad is already at a very competitive pricing, we wouldn’t mind saving some bucks.
According to Berthold Thoma, CEO of Hutchison Austria, The carrier will be offering the iPad for folks in Austria. Purchasers willing to be bond to a 2-year data contract (29.90 Euro, 5GB/Month) will get a 333 Euro/$455 discount. Frankly we still don’t know international pricing for the iPad, so the final price after the discount is a mystery.
In addition, given that the initial shipment of iPads are Wi-Fi only, the carrier is throwing in the Huawei i-Mo 3G modem to the deal, a wireless wifi router.
[via Tams|Jungle]
According to Steve Chuang from Cens, the imminent launch of the Apple iPad is set to be around February of 2010 and priced at $799-$999, which sounds just about right from the other rumors so far. Steve also got the scoop on a couple of Taiwanese suppliers that will be responsible for supplying parts for the Apple iPad.
First off, DynaPack International Technology Corp. will be supplying up to 300,000 of these supposedly long lasting batteries for the Apple iPad per month. Where as Wanshih Electronic Co., Ltd. will be supplying the mini coaxial cables for the iPad. And lastly, both Layers Scientific-Technics Co., Ltd. and Wintek Corp. will be supplying the Power Chokes and the lovely 9.7 incher Touch Panel.
