LG: 'Apple may have to delay launches of the iPad for some countries'
By Sean Hollister 
posted July 25th 2010 2:23PM
posted July 25th 2010 2:23PM
posted July 25th 2010 2:23PM
A look back on popular stories from today in a specific year.
Now that we've thrown 'em off the trail, use the form below to get in touch with the people at Engadget. Please fill in all of the required fields because they're required.
Haha. Victim of their own success.
@gdisaac07 I wouldn't mind being that type of victim.
@gdisaac07
Dear Apple,
welcome to the mass market
@gdisaac07
This just goes to show how successful the iPad is.
I had one for a month, then sold it. Even after putting Frash on it, I still couldn't justify owning a $500 iPod touch, albeit with a bigger screen. In essence, no matter how much you want to defend your purchase, an iPad is an iPod touch with a bigger screen, no ifs ands or buts about it.
@hq Because they hadn't had mass market products before? iPod/iPhone?
@Teerim
I fully agree with you, but, apparently there are enough people who think that's something worth owning. These people usually also already have a MacBook and iPhone at a minimum as well. Whatever, it's not my money.
@Teerim And a swimming pool is just a large outdoor bath.
@Teerim The only thing I like about the iPad os ABC's app to view videos.
@Teerim Really? I use mine every day, to all intents and purpose, it's replaced my laptop. I find the criticism of it being a big iPod Touch a very odd one. That's like saying a 17" laptop is just a big 13" laptop. They both do the same job but due to the larger screen, one is more useful than the other. The iPad is a far more enjoyable media consumption device than the iPod. Sometimes you sacrifice usability for portability, but the iPad is certainly better for say browsing the web than the touch.
@gdisaac07
You think that's funny? You'll laugh even more when all the other tablet makers won't be able to get displays either and all your fAndroid tablet fantasies go down the toilet. Having high demand for a product is infinitely better than having no demand for a product such as the HP Slate or the myriad of vaporware Android tablets. Apple has the money to pay as much as necessary to get first dibs on the best displays.
Apple still has Samsung building iPad displays, so a slowdown in supply is better than having no supply at all. Laugh it up, dude.
@Teerim
iPod Touch doesn't have dedicated apps that make use of the large screen. iPod Touch doesn't have 3G.
@gdisaac07
Fake news. It's just MARKETING!
Go buy it now! WHILE YOU CAN FIND IT!!
@d0mth0ma5 You're right, but what you can do with a large swimming pool is different than what you can do in a bath. That's really not the case with the iPad. Think of the water in the pools as the OS. The OS on the iPad adds little extra functionality compared to the iPod touch. Maybe people just haven't made enough apps for it yet or something, but to be honest, almost everything you can do on the iPad you can do on an iPod touch. The only thing that drew me in on buying the iPad was the screen. But it sucked having to hold the iPad to watch shows/movies.
@d0mth0ma5
LOVE IT!!!!!!
Put that on a t-shirt baby!!!!!
Love your response!
mmmmmmmmmmmmmwha!!!!
@barac Problem is you can't.
@wilvo That's all I basically used mine for: browsing the web. And I definitely don't like having to go back to the iPod touch, or in my case iPhone, for web browsing because I do a lot more panning around. But touch is really limited in web-site interaction. Even if you add flash to the iPad, there's little you can do besides some media consumption. And definitely, the iPad is a better media player solely because of the screen.
And you say the criticism is odd when you admit it's true. It's a fact because there really isn't any extra functionality besides a bigger screen. And with laptops, a bigger screen normally translates into faster/larger/hotter components as well.
I really liked the iPad, but in my opinion, the 16gb wifi should be priced at the price of the 64gb touch.
@gdisaac07
Don't you have a test to study for?
@d0mth0ma5
Spot on dude! iHaters are wolves - they hate everything Apple no matter what!
@d0mth0ma5
No, those are actually two separate things, by definition. The iPad is identical to the touch. It just has a larger screen. Don't get me wrong, it's cool as hell, It's just the same thing. If I didn't have an iPhone already, I'd own one hands down.
@Teerim
Why would you buy a $500 device without having a use for it, and if you think it is 'just a big iPod touch' (which I kind of agree with, except that I don't see that as a problem at all, actually that's the whole point of it). It's not like the feature set and limitations were unclear or unknown at launch.
Personally I love my iPad, and I use it all the time now for the stuff I'd previously use my laptop for, which covers about 90% of my computer time at home: browsing and emailing. That alone already justifies having one for me, since it's simply much nicer doing that on an iPad.
@MosesusedaniPad
I own one? Lol. Relax buddy.
@GadgetFunkie
Yes!! But who are you?!?!
@paul34
Well, it is a very good device for some people. Take my Aunt for instance, she worked at AT&T for 40 years and just recently retired, in this time they supplied her with a laptop to use. After leaving they obviously took it back, and she simply didn't want to invest in a $600 laptop, plus a wireless router and a monthly high speed internet service just so she could check her email. I told her that she should get an iPhone but she didn't want the high bill and she claimed the screen was too small. So when the iPad was announced she jumped right at it, it was perfect for her. With the iPad she could have the simplicity and versatility of an iPhone but with a larger screen, not to mention she didn't have to buy a router and sign up for internet service since she can just use 3G. It's a great device for what she needs it for.
@d0mth0ma5 that people will get sick off cleaning in 2 years and then will fill in and turn in to lawn. Big business here in Australia for filling in outdoor pools, I can see lots of people realising that at the end of the day an iPAD is a toy and the sales numbers going flat (think netbooks but people getting bored with them faster).
@wilvo By no means can a iPad replace a laptop. But I see what you're saying. It is better than a touch but I don't see much justice in buying one right now at this price. It's pretty much a big gaming device.
@Teerim -- "the 16gb wifi should be priced at the price of the 64gb touch."
If the 16GB wifi iPad was $349 or $399... they definitely couldn't keep it in stock. But even at $499, they aren't having any trouble selling the iPad. I'd love to see it eventually drop to a lower price... kinda like they kept a cheaper last generation iPhone when the newer iPhones came out.
I don't see anything wrong with 16GB... it's the only iPad I would probably need. $400 sounds about right for me to jump in.
If they had an iPad for $400... it would probably crush the competition... when the competition ever comes out :)
@Teerim The larger screen on the ipad makes it a much more enjoyable and usable experience than the iPod touch
@Almo
iPod Touch with 3G = iPhone
@Peter F When I want to see highest ranked I use my iPad becuase the iPhone app doesn't show me. Booya! Different devices!
@Teerim
Some have $500 to spend on a new gadget. You didn't. Tough shit, eh
@wilvo
It has many uses, but the device was definitely not designed to "replace" a laptop for real work: it's an entertainment machine, not a productivity machine. A quick look at the on-screen keyboard will tell you that much. It's impossible to touch-type on it. Not because it isn't QWERTY, but because there is, in effect, no home row--it's one key short. There isn't a key for your right pinky to rest on. In other words, it's meant for people who either can't type, or won't be typing on it. In that respect, it much more resembles the iPod Touch than a laptop.
@Teerim
Does an iPod Touch have a GPS chip or 3G capability? Does it have apps like Netflix and iWorks.
After owning an iPad 64 3G iPad I've pretty much stopped using my iPod Touch or 3G Sony Vaio X.
The iPad is perfect for our home use - myself, wife and 3 year old daughter. Great apps and fantastic UI.
@Teerim I did the same for similar reasons, but might pick up another one after iOS 4 hits. Lack of multitasking just killed it for me.
@MrLinux Those are probably people who can't afford a pool because of the upkeep costs.
@Teerim
Two devices diverged on a yellow table,
And sorry I could not take both
And be one purchaser, long I stood
And looked at both as long as I could
To where they lay on the table;
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two devices diverged on a table, and I--
I took the largest one,
And that has made all the difference
@MosesusedaniPad The reason why there's such a shortage is because IPS displays are relatively low-volume displays. Since most other tablets use cheaper TN LCDs they're unlikely to encounter a shortage.
@gdisaac07
At least that's better for me. Since it launched I've seen so many presumptuous idiots showing me their iPads. It launched officially in Mexico a few days ago so if there will be less idiotic people OK by me.
@TechNick I agree the iPad is good for old senile people and very small children. It's just not for adults or people with full use of their facilities.
@barac That's right. Another apple conspiracy for global domination. Apple started the first world war and assassinated JFK too
Get a fuckin life buddy
@m66 yes ill agree the keyboard built in is bad, but if ur a student like then just use a bluetooth keyboard. it'll last all day, has apps for office and apples version, games for breaks, movies, email, perfect for a student to use. only bad thing is that our IT teacher hates me cause i like apple and hes all microsoft so hed never let that into his room. but my spanish teacher has one so dats good :p
@d0mth0ma5 except a swimming pool isn't for taking baths
@MosesusedaniPad such a homo I hope you and your kind go extinct
@suicidebob
I clearly said I bought it and sold it because it didn't do enough for the price.
I also praised the iPad for what it did well, yet I still got downranked for pointing out its real flaws. I own a MacBook Pro and an iPhone, I'm no Apple fanboy but when an item is overpriced for what it CAN do, I'll point it out.
iPad is nice, and there's definitely a wow factor when using one, but damn that wow factor wore off after a month for me. I'll probably pick one up on craigslist after the new generation comes out.
@wilvo I don't necessarily think that "big iPod Touch" is a criticism so much as it is an "accurate description". In just 3 words it encapsulates both the devices strengths and weaknesses.
The bigger screen plays a roll in enhancing media consumption. It's better for comic books, better for movies, better for ebooks -- but when it comes time for serious work, it's still awkward as hell. You can do the same level of "real work" on both an iPhone and ipad and in both instances its awkward as hell.
In other words, if you fall into the narrow category of people who only use your laptop over your smartphone because you don't like the eye-strain associated with using a smartphone, then you can indeed replace your laptop with your iPad. But if you can't replace your laptop with your smartphone because "smartphones can't do that" then you're still not replacing your laptop.
For everyone else, it's just a neat little toy to use while curled up on the couch. For me, it's just too expensive for what it can do for me. I don't know exactly how many people feel the same way and are waiting for an iPad that can do more or costs less, but it was interseting for me to note that 20% of all the iPads sold world-wide at this point were sold in California. Seems almost like a regional fad atm, which explains why I haven't ever seen one in the wild.
@TechNick
You can use 3G even on desktops. Just sign up for a right plan and the modem is often included.
@gdisaac07 I thought this delay would be because of a bezel shortage...
@gdisaac07 The thing is... Korea has LG making the screens and Samsung providing the Chips.... but no iPad release in Korea yet. irony?
@Teerim Acually I was thinking more of a portable home theatre
@m66
Well it can if you buy the actual keyboard attachment. I think it's a great device for what it was designed for. It definitely made it's niche in the market. However, I will hold out on getting one until it has an hdmi connection.
@m66 You can use your existing Apple or Microsoft Bluetooth keyboard or get the external keyboard made for the iPad. You are not limited.