via Ars Technica
Attention, rock-dwellers: Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) launched a new iPad today. It supports 4G-LTE networks, features a 2048×1536 pixel retina display and a faster processor, a new camera (the camera from the iPhone 4S, basically) and a new voice dictation system — think Siri without, uh, everything about Siri except the ability to dictate. This shiny new toy will launch in Japan, Singapore, and Hong Kong (among other places) on March 16, with preorders beginning today. Unsurprisingly, there’s no word on when we might see the thing in China.
But that’s OK because there doesn’t seem to be anything about the new iPad that’s aimed at Chinese consumers. Tim Cook announced today that Siri now supports Japanese, and so will the new iPad’s voice dictation system when it comes out. But where’s support for Chinese? If it’s coming anytime soon to the iPhone or iPad, no one mentioned it today.
The 4G-LTE support is also unlikely to impress Chinese consumers, since there is no 4G network on which to use it. We’ve written previously about China Mobile’s struggles to bring its 4G-LTE network to the masses, and it’s very unlikely that 4G will be available by the time this iPad comes out in China (even though that’s probably at least three months away).
Of course, Apple can’t control whether or not China has 4G, or when its device will be cleared for launch here. But with the company making so much money in China, it’s getting harder for me to understand why it doesn’t seem to be particularly interested in offering Chinese-language voice support of any kind. What the heck, Apple?
Apple also announced a new and improved Apple TV today, which supports 1080p and looks very shiny. But it’s hard to imagine this having much impact in China, as iTunes doesn’t offer much in the way of Chinese-language video content. Plus, the Apple TV is a device that never leaves your home, meaning it you can’t show it off in public as a status symbol. Scoff if you will, but that’s important to many Apple users here.
I’m sure we’ll learn more about Apple’s new products in the days to come, and perhaps there are some good things we missed along the way, but it certainly seems like Apple could have done a lot more to make this iPad cool for Chinese consumers. Not that that will stop anyone here from buying it, though. I’m sure Taobao sellers are licking their lips and booking tickets to Hong Kong right this minute.