Euro iPad launch delayed to late May

By Robert Purchese Published 14 April, 2010

US "runaway success" depleted supplies.

Apple has had to delay the European and international launch of the iPad to late May.

The reason, the fruity company said, was "surprisingly strong US demand", which saw over 500,000 iPads fly off shelves in one week, therefore not leaving enough for everybody else.

Greedy.

Pre-orders for European (international) iPads will be taken from Monday, 10th May. We'll find out the localised prices then, too.

"Although we have delivered more than 500,000 iPads during its first week, demand is far higher than we predicted and will likely continue to exceed our supply over the next several weeks as more people see and touch an iPad. We have also taken a large number of pre-orders for iPad 3G models for delivery by the end of April," said Apple.

"Faced with this surprisingly strong US demand, we have made the difficult decision to postpone the international launch of iPad by one month, until the end of May."

"We will announce international pricing and begin taking online pre-orders on Monday, May 10," the company added. "We know that many international customers waiting to buy an iPad will be disappointed by this news, but we hope they will be pleased to learn the reason - the iPad is a runaway success in the US thus far."

The iPad launched at the beginning of April in the US. Apple boss Steve Jobs reckons the device is "a game-changer". Wi-Fi models start from $499 and scale up to $829 for the Wi-Fi + 3G model with 64GB storage.

Picture of Robert.

About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds. @Clert on Twitter.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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Comments (73) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Dolly #1 2 years ago

    Nothing to do with the Wi-fi not working properly then?

  • Deckard1 #2 2 years ago

    people must have money to burn to pay all that money for what is essentially a giant ipod touch. If I want to play games on the go I'll play eye spy. I'm pretty sure I've got travel pass the pigs somewhere as well.

  • Horse #3 2 years ago

    @Deckard

    So you wouldn't buy a PSP or DS either?

  • Mkwone #4 2 years ago

    My parents just came back from america and had a play with one and rearly liked it. Just because you may not want one doesn't mean nobody else does.

  • swissorc #5 2 years ago

    It is an insane amount of money true. But then it is an insane devise in my opinion. Still. If we were all the same the world would be a boring place so each to their own.

  • DavoTheDiv_2010 #6 2 years ago

    Day one purchase for me. Say what you want about apple, but they are always looking to to push things forward and take risks. For me the ipad (though not in its current form) is the start of a computing revolution.

  • lcmnick #7 2 years ago

    Post deleted at 12:48:44 14-04-2012

  • jonsaan #8 2 years ago

    Yeah, yeah. Nothing to do with deliberately creating a high demand then Apple? It's boring frankly. They're all at it.

  • Deckard1 #9 2 years ago

    @horse

    no I wouldn't actually. I'm 28, and would feel like a tool playing games in public. Being a gamer is my secret shame :-(

  • Jackface #10 2 years ago

    If it's not the start of a revolution in it's current form, when will it be and why are you buying one?

    I think it is the start of a computing revolution exactly as it is and will also be buying on day 1. Needs work though, but I'm happy with the limitations for now.

  • bluem4gic #11 2 years ago

    IPAD < IPHONE

  • DavoTheDiv_2010 #12 2 years ago

    @Jackface

    A "proper" OS + always on cloud based storage. All your files/media with you always, and on every device you own.

    Think the tech is fantastic, and in six or so months time, there will be very cool apps. I'm buying because I support the revolution!!
    Edited by DavoTheDiv_2010 at 14/04/10 @ 15:06

  • presh #13 2 years ago

    pants. Was hoping to get one sooner than that...

    @swissorc how's it an insane amount of money? It's half the price of a sim-free iPhone 3GS, which sell for £800-odd... clearly too young to remember when even crappy laptops were more than a grand...

    /eats another werthers original

  • FogHeart #14 2 years ago

    Yes, EU customers should be SO pleased that the reason they don't get their IPad on time is because it sells so well in the USA, it's great that Europeans have to wait a further month rather than Americans wait a couple of weeks. I've got a warm glow just thinking that some American chap is right now playing with the IPad that was once destined to be held in the hairy hands of some Yurro Guy. I'm so happy for him, I'm moist. Go USA!

  • Toothball #15 2 years ago

    @Deckard1

    I thought Pass the Pigs was travel ready as standard, unless you're playing it with actual pigs?

  • davisorle #16 2 years ago

    Post deleted at 20:44:35 16-04-2012

  • DavoTheDiv_2010 #17 2 years ago

    @davisorle

    Yeah, it's a bigger iphone. What's wrong with that? The iphone was limited by it's size, the ipad isn't

  • Spuzzell #18 2 years ago

    @DavoTheAptlyNamedDiv

    Push things forward? It's an giant underpowered iPhone without the phone. If you'd just "push forward" an iPod Touch so it was right next to your eye you'd have the iPad already.

    If the exact same product with the exact same UI was released by Dell it'd sell about 50 units.

    Regardless, I like that Apple are able to convince non-tech sheep people to buy computers (well, sort of computers) as it means the overall market grows when some of the sheep eventually become annoyed with Apple and buy a proper device.

  • GamesConnoisseur #19 2 years ago

    I know better than to fall in love with iPad everytime i see one! Its surely overpriced, overhyped and the newer iterations that will follows the launch model would be far better.

    Still the idea of being able to surf, browse, read comics/books and play at home in armchair and bed seems very tempting. Cross compatibility with iPhone seems useful. I fancy doing Warpgate HD and others on it.

    See how strong my resistance is gonna be comes the end of May.

  • RexRunti #20 2 years ago

    Is the iPad an iPhone without the phone or a tablet PC without the PC?

    The only way the iPad will be a long term success is if the sell it is an eReader, but it's a bit big for that i think.

  • Bealsy #21 2 years ago

    [SHOCKINGTRUTH] It will be a runaway success, because people want it [/SHOCKINGTRUTH]

    It's a fast web experience, pick up your emails, play hi resolution games, listen to music, read books, watch films, even write documents if you want to. Yes it's not a pc, but it's a bloody good entertainment device.

  • jonsaan #22 2 years ago

    @Spuzell
    Sheep don't get annoyed with Apple, they just buy a new apple product and bin the old one.

  • YoungPayters #23 2 years ago

    dont understand the hype, its stupid looking and a general waste of money. give me a iPod classic anyday and i will let my laptop do my surfing and my console to do my gaming, not let me be apple, u are just a fashion accessory.

  • Spuzzell #24 2 years ago

    @johnsaan

    True of most I would imagine, but there will be some who dare to make the jump. It's like, Darwinian evolution or something.

  • Jackface #25 2 years ago

    @Spuzzel

    You've clearly not spent more than 2 minutes looking at pictures of it and evidently haven't bothered to see that 7x the screen real estate leads to vastly better UI systems and user experiences.

    But if you don't like it, that's fine. Not sure why you're so spiteful about something you don't even want! Weird misuse of energy if you ask me.

  • Spuzzell #26 2 years ago

    @Jackface

    Baaaa.

  • MENTAL1ST Verified Senior Software Engineer, Picsel UK Ltd. #27 2 years ago

    This little fella gets it

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9NP-AeKX40

  • Jackface #28 2 years ago

    @Spuzzel

    Is that all you got? Seems more than a little sheep-like of you - spouting all the usual guff about "hold an iPod touch closer to your face and it's the same thing" and no actual intelligent argument or even an opinion based on anything other than spite.

    Ahh, the internet :D

  • Deckard1 #29 2 years ago

    @toothball

    No I have the home version as well. The pigs are actually live guinea pigs, and instead of passing them, you've got to put things inside them. My uncle tom showed me how to play it when I was a kid.

  • soviet_ #30 2 years ago

    Apple marketing machine working overtime. We all know the majority still eat it up.

    Sent from my iPhone

  • Jackface #31 2 years ago

    Oh fuck off SJH, if that's directed at me. There's nothing sheep like about me. I slagged off the iPad when I saw it, vehemently, and then I did my research, unlike pretty much every one that calls the iPad "just a big iPod touch".

  • Murton #32 2 years ago

    "Day one purchase for me. Say what you want about apple, but they are always looking to to push things forward and take risks."

    Pushing things forward, afraid not, the tech is highly derivative of that offered by their competitors. I'll concede that they take risks though, it's a massive risk to use patented tech without a license and hope that you can muscle them out before the case goes before a court. If the legal system worked more quickly the iPod will likely have destroyed Apple rather than making it one of the biggest electronics companies in the world.

    As for the iPad, nice idea but much more style than substance and massively overpriced, like all Apple products.

  • DavoTheDiv_2010 #33 2 years ago

    @jakeface

    Seems to me, the real sheep here are the ones who band together to slag off something they wish they could afford.

    -10 that you set of luddites

  • Arwin #34 2 years ago

    Good for my wallet, as this means it will be even later in my country ... :)

    Was planning to hold off for iPhone OS 4.0 on the iPad anyway, so any help in resisting the templatation is welcome. ;)
    Edited by Arwin at 14/04/10 @ 16:20

  • haruvister #35 2 years ago

    Why not buy a netbook? Why not buy a laptop? Why o why?

  • Doctor_What #36 2 years ago

    It's probably lovely if you like that sort of thing, but I still love USB ports. I can just put data on my machines rather than having to faff with transferring it around networks.

  • ignatiusjreilly #37 2 years ago

    As is often the case, the most interesting thing for me will be the iPad "inspired" products that will follow. I like the idea of a tablet computer/gadget, but the Apple way of approaching things means I'll be looking at some alternatives.

    The HP Slate is a contender for sure, and running Windows 7 it'll be a little less finger friendly but much more capable and customisable than an iPad.

    I think we already realised a few years ago that an LCD screen was no good for reading books, so I'm surprised Apple make such a big deal of the iBook functionality. Something like the Notion Ink Adam, which switches between an e-ink display and an LCD depending on how much light is hitting the screen is an interesting way of addressing that.

    Microsoft Courier is another interesting take on a slate/book device that I really hope sees the light of day, as is Google/HTC's rumoured tablet.

    Really I just love tech like this, and though the iPad is never going to be right for me, it's the beginning of new and exciting times again which is always fun. Even if this isn't the revolution it's painted to be (honestly that seems unlikely) maybe it'll lead to something else that will be.

  • DavoTheDiv_2010 #38 2 years ago

    A very good review - [link url=http://gizmodo.com/5511678/apple-ipad-review
    ]http://gizmodo.com/5511678/apple-ipad-re...[/link]

    Check out the video at the end of the review

  • beastmaster #39 2 years ago

    "The tablet revolution doesn't start until we say it does!"
    Edited by beastmaster at 14/04/10 @ 16:44

  • RexRunti #40 2 years ago

    It's a fast web experience, pick up your emails, play hi resolution games, listen to music, read books, watch films, even write documents if you want to. Yes it's not a pc, but it's a bloody good entertainment device.

    You mean like a tablet PC? The ones that have been around for more than a decade. Does the advantage of having a nice picture of a fruit on the back make up for the fact that you can't do two of those things listed at the same time, visit sites that use Adobe Flash or use it anywhere that you couldn't use a standard laptop.

    Also I doubt we're going to see anywhere near as many aps for the iPad as the iPhone as Apple have done a great job of fucking off developers whenever they get the chance.

  • DrDamn #41 2 years ago

    @RexRunti
    Tablet PCs have sold bugger all though because it's a PC OS crammed into a different sort of device.

    I think you'll find that there will always be more apps available for the iPad than the iPhone ;)

  • UltimateDave_80 #42 2 years ago

    Well, all I know is that I'm going to have one pissed off girlfriend over this! She's a complete iWhore and has been rocking back and forth waiting for the moment she can pre-order one. Knowing it's going to be another month will not go down well!

    I am looking forward to trying the iPad out when she does get one. I hate the lack of Flash but other than that it seems like an ideal device for casual web browsing. I know people hate apple but the just know how to make devices that are a pleasure to use.

  • Onelove1867 #43 2 years ago

    I wonder if the anti-Apple/anti-iPad brigade will get over themselves by "Late May"..?

    Well done on your whole "Wow, I don't like the iPad" thing, though. The rest of us will sleep soundly at night knowing you're not going to buy one.

  • Weezer #44 2 years ago

    I'm a big Mac fan (Mac rather than Apple) and truly wasn't that bothered. And then I got to use one... Yes, it's 'just' a big iPod Touch. Guess what? Turns out a big iPod Touch is a fucking brilliant idea. I'm sold.

    (Oh, and I love how all the Apple haters post their bile on forums like it'll make one shred of difference. Just like it crippled iPhone sales... oh, wait.)
    Edited by Weezer at 14/04/10 @ 17:24

  • cheekyjay #45 2 years ago

    I love the way the iPad looks, and can see how for some it could be a tempting proposition, but surely the fact that you need to dock it with iTunes in order to backup files / copy data to and from it means that it doesn't replace the laptop at all, as you'll need another computer in order to get the best out of it...?
    Edited by cheekyjay at 14/04/10 @ 17:51

  • memeroot #46 2 years ago

    I have an old Sony umpc which does various jobs none of which I bought it for, perhaps the ipod will also .
    I remember my ipaq fondly as with a cf hd it was an ipod touch years before Apple came on the scene.
    Personally I won't be buying as I want an ereader and this isn't that

  • Wyrm #47 2 years ago

    'Yes, it's 'just' a big iPod Touch. Guess what? Turns out a big iPod Touch is a fucking brilliant idea.'

    Indeed, never did get that 'criticism'. But still, some people just have to hate it simply because it's made by Apple.

    Taking sides with or against electronics companies, be it Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft, Apple.... is just idiotic. Grow up and see the good in the things you didn't buy.

  • markyHD #48 2 years ago

    I think it's easily forgotten how many people actually don't do work at home as well.

    I mean, personally i've always got a few OU sciences courses on the go, so there's always the need to type, use equation plugins in pages/word etc, so work wise an iPad wouldn't be a good call.

    A few years ago though, that wasn't the case, and all I used my laptop for was music, internet, email, and all my work was done AT work.

    So for me, as Wyrm and others have been discussing, a device where productivity isn't the focus.......well great, because a hell of a lot of people are not at all productive on their netbooks.

  • Onelove1867 #49 2 years ago

    @Cheekyjay

    That depends on what you use as your "main" computer. Nobody at Apple has actually said this is to replace a laptop. Like alot of things, that particular story seems to have been fashioned out of fat air as loose criticism. You WILL need another computer to sync your iTunes stuff with. If your main computer is a laptop then.. no, the iPad won't replace it. If your main computer is a desktop, then I think it's completely feasible that the iPad could replace a laptop for alot of functions for alot of people. As a way to access the internet, check your mail, perhaps listen to some music/play a game/watch a film (i.e, what the vast majority of laptop users mainly use a laptop for), the iPad might be a lighter, more portable, easy to use and efficient way to do those basic tasks on the go. Not for everybody, obviously, but perhaps for many. Enough at least for 500,000 Americans in 2 weeks..

  • Rack #50 2 years ago

    The iPad is just a big iPod touch. Of course a car is just a big go-kart and a cupboard is just a big cardboard box. The utility of some things is defined by their size. In this case the iPad is a replacement for a computer for a huge proportion of users. This should hopefully cut down the amount of time I spend in amateur tech support so I can hardly wait.

    Of course I'll have to until everyone who just wants the coolest new toy has got theirs. Hopefully by then it will have Flash support, working Wifi and better heat sinks.

  • Les #51 2 years ago

    "people must have money to burn to pay all that money for what is essentially a giant ipod touch."

    Oh please. Even the clowns at arstechnica came around on that initial silly statement: "The iPad isn't a big iPod touch—an iPod touch is a miniature iPad that restricts the full multitouch experience in exchange for offering greater portability. With the iPad, in contrast, you get multitouch the way it was meant to be done."

    Read up, will ya?

    For an intelligent (and non-tech) assessment of the iPad launch, http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/... is a good read.

    "That depends on what you use as your "main" computer. Nobody at Apple has actually said this is to replace a laptop. Like alot of things, that particular story seems to have been fashioned out of fat air as loose criticism."

    Indeed, fashioned by idiots. Of course the iPad isn't meant to replace a laptop as Apple makes a lot of money selling them. Apple targeted the netbooks with the iPad, a product category that Apple doesn't produce as it would eat away at the laptop business in a more significant way than the iPad likely will. And then the silly people think netbook = cheap laptop so that means the iPad will replace the laptop. Which, given they are silly, isn't that surprising.

  • Les #52 2 years ago

    "as Apple have done a great job of fucking off developers whenever they get the chance."

    How? By providing them with a new, complimentary and successful platform that they can actually make money off?!

    Developers shouldn't be such cry babies. Like them, Apple wants to make money. And over 30 years in the tech industry has taught them, the way to do that is giving their users a high quality user experience. That means they want maximum control over their platforms, so no dependency on meta-platforms on top of their own like Flash, .Net, etc. And of course it can (and probably will) also hurt Android, Apple's main competitor, so that Apple will make even more money.

  • dr_faulk #53 2 years ago

    IT'S THE N64 STORY ALL OVER AGAIN!!!

  • Ryze #54 2 years ago

    /waits for front facing camera, tethering via bluetooth, easy access to USB storage...

    Then I'll be toooo tempted...!

    Bluetooth controller plus touch features in the future hopefully... big for mobile gaming!

    Mobile video Skype using my mobile's 3G would be nice...

  • TRUTH #55 2 years ago

    It has no phone and is larger then a Iphone, and actually eats up more power, it can't multitask, run all required programs that we so use to on laptops and more, can't fit in your trouser pockets, the screen smudges very easily, can't be used in the sunlight due to very refective screeb - yet they sell it for almost £500!!!!...If people buy this for gaming (touch screen is very useless in most places for gaming!) - they certainly needs there head checked.
    Edited by TRUTH at 14/04/10 @ 21:45

  • smelly #56 2 years ago

    I just saw a bloke walking down the street while using an ipad.. i kid you not.. Quite possibly the saddest thing i've ever seen (and i know sad - i used to make games)

  • Weezer #57 2 years ago

    In response to…

    I need an e-reader - I've seen e-readers; this is better than ALL of them. The screen is beautiful and the ibook thing is super-slick. Greyscale LCD? No thanks.

    How do you get stuff on it without docking to iTunes - Easy: over WiFi. I shan't ever need to dock mine except for initial set-up. Everything is bought via the app store over WiFi. If you haven't got WiFi in your house, then the iPad is probably not for you anyway. (And it won't get used to play music - that's not what it's for. Photos, yes - then you'd need to dock I think)

    Touch screen is crap for games - No it isn't: play Angry Birds HD and then endeavour to repeat the same sentence without going to hell for lying. Angry Birds would be SHIT with a mouse or joypad. Same goes for all the tower defence titles, or turn-based strategies or puzzle games or all the stuff that's not been invented yet. I won't be buying it to replace my Xbox or PS3! (the Wii... uh, not so much). I can't play Xbox 360 in bed, or in the garden, etc.

    Anyway, each to their own. Go into an Apple store in late May and try one - you might just like it (and yes even I agree that no Flash or USB ports is a real ballache).

  • chrisola #58 2 years ago

    i'd be tempted for the e-reader part to read books and comics, and surf the net while having a poo.

    However, i can do all of those things with my existing laptop and paper copies of my books and comics, so 'm not sure the ££££ is worth the outlay. It's a great idea that i can see potential for when it gets to ipad v4 and Apple finally let us have what they actually planned it to be from the start.

  • MENTAL1ST Verified Senior Software Engineer, Picsel UK Ltd. #59 2 years ago

    "Angry Birds would be SHIT with a mouse or joypad"

    Angry birds would be exactly the same with mouse, and probably just as playable with a joypad, too. Catapult games have been around for far longer than multitouch screens, you know.

  • RexRunti #60 2 years ago

    RexRunti: as Apple have done a great job of fucking off developers whenever they get the chance

    Les: How? By providing them with a new, complimentary and successful platform that they can actually make money off?!

    Until Apple decide to pull your ap from their store without explenation or warning or ban "Applications that link to Documented APIs through an intermediary translation or compatibility layer or tool are prohibited" (aka middleware) to prevent people easily converting their Flash aplications into iPhone aps.

    Also good luck making money now as the market is so saturated that if you release your own ap there's probably at least three aps already on the market that are well known, highly publicised, better and cheaper/free.

    Don't get me wrong the iPhone is a brilliant phone. Almost certainly the best smart phone you can get (unless it's a work phone) and for ease of use and accesibility you can't go wrong with the iPod/iTunes. However the iPhone is a phone, the iPod is a portable music player and the iPad? What's the iPad for? It's not flexible enough for a netbook/laptop, not portable enough for personal a music player/hand held console and it's too heavy to be an eReader even if it didn't have an LCD screen.
    Edited by RexRunti at 15/04/10 @ 00:03

  • ShinMegami08 #61 2 years ago

    If it doesn't have USB, does it at least have SCSI?

  • UncleLou #62 2 years ago

    " It's an giant underpowered iPhone without the phone. If you'd just "push forward" an iPod Touch so it was right next to your eye you'd have the iPad already. "

    " sheep people"

    The irony is delicious. :D

  • Les #63 2 years ago

    @RexRunti

    "Until Apple decide to pull your ap from their store without explenation or warning or ban "Applications that link to Documented APIs through an intermediary translation or compatibility layer or tool are prohibited" (aka middleware) to prevent people easily converting their Flash aplications into iPhone aps."

    I agree the App approval process is a mess.

    But like I said in my post, preventing developers from easily converting Flash apps is a very good thing: it leads to Apps that are designed for the hardware rather than some poor port.

    And TBH, Apple had always advised developers against recommending such tools before it adjusted the policy. It's not like this came from nowhere. Guess Apple felt it had to make its message more clear with Adobe's recent announcement of CS5.

    "Also good luck making money now as the market is so saturated that if you release your own ap there's probably at least three aps already on the market that are well known, highly publicised, better and cheaper/free."

    I don't really get where you want to go with this. Isn't it a good thing that developers will not make money by doing a more expensive, worse version of an App that's already in the store?! Competition must force developers to step up their game to the benefit of the consumer.

  • Beano #64 2 years ago

    "It has no phone and is larger then a Iphone, and actually eats up more power, it can't multitask..."

    It can multitask now for 1st party apps (like iPhone) and in the fall 3rd party apps will be allowed also (like iPhone this summer). Battery life for iPad is also great... 10-12 hours reported by many. Get your facts straight, hater.
    Edited by Beano at 15/04/10 @ 08:34

  • Immaterial #65 2 years ago

    The revolution will not be tabletised.

    I'm waiting for a true 3D version of one of these- get a move on NVidia.

  • Les #66 2 years ago

    "Catapult games have been around for far longer than multitouch screens, you know."

    True but that doesn't mean that multitouch screens can't provide a much more intuitive and enjoyable play experience for the genre.

  • DrDamn #67 2 years ago

    @maggotman
    That looks really good. One of the reasons I'm interested is as an interactive device which is suitable for a small child. My 2 year old plays a few things targeted at his age on my iPhone and really enjoys them, the increased screen size take this to another level and that Alice app is just a hint of what devs will be doing in this area.

    On a general point, just because it doesn't do what *you* want it to it doesn't make it a bad device, it makes it not the device for you. Get over it.

  • DrDamn #68 2 years ago

    @maggotman
    This is an Easter egg in the Elements app ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPUWbVLzVZI ... love the final comment from the reviewer.

  • swissorc #69 2 years ago

    @Presh

    Additionally. Further to my last post yes it its an insane amount of money and if anyone is stupid enough fork over £800 for a sim free iphone you sir have more money than sense. Can remember lap tops costing over a grand. When i was a kid there was no such thing as a laptop.
    Edited by swissorc at 15/04/10 @ 11:47

  • TRUTH #70 2 years ago

    At this price it's just stupid to buy it for gaming and to use as a laptop (as it can't do half the things a laptop can do)...The thing also now seems to have problems if temp goes above 30 degress. The screen is still way to reflective, also smudges way to easily, and the battery life is fairly short compared esp that it can't even run applications that run on PC's - basic battery lif 8-12hrs only if you use for less intensive applications (generally that doesn't use the screen much - FACT!)

    DrDamn - so you gonna spend £400(+) for the starter model, so you can let your 2yr old play some game applications!...You can get a touch screen laptop with free games for all ages (for less and does a hell of a lot more), or Wii, or DS, PSP!.

    Ipad is for the sad fashion victims (there so sad and most people do take the piss out you guys!)
    Edited by TRUTH at 15/04/10 @ 22:51

  • Jackface #71 2 years ago

    Hilarious. :)

    I bet you're popular in the pub with such insights!

  • madjim #72 2 years ago

    Ok... I love my Iphone, it's my secret pleasure. It's biggest disadvantage is the lack of Flash support, but I can live with that (barely) because it's a phone, an amazing phone but still a phone. But if I ever buy Ipad, it wouldn't be to play games on the go or just check my business calendar at any time. I would buy to do more than I do with my Iphone. And in that case, Ipad don't deliver. What's the use of a portable computer if I can't use it to manage, edit and check my flash website for example? Or visit some many important sites that require flash? Or check some Vimeo videos regarding my line of work (Vimeo converts videos to Ipad compatible only of those users who have Premium account).

    I know that Apple wants to exclude Flash for reasons of making more money through the Appstore. Ok, I understand that. But please, don't tell us about a unique experience, when my 140 Euro Netbook does a lot more when I am connected.

    In a few words: No Flash, no purchase.
    Edited by madjim at 18/04/10 @ 10:17

  • Les #73 2 years ago

    "I know that Apple wants to exclude Flash for reasons of making more money through the Appstore. Ok, I understand that."

    Yeah that rumour goes around a lot on the internet because it's something that idiots can easily grab.

    But it is of course not true. Analysts estimate that Apple hardly makes any money at all with the AppStore. And $1 dollar ports of silly Flash games of which 30 cents would go to Apple will not make much of a difference.

    For Apple, the AppStore is primarily a very important means to sell more hardware and on the hardware sales it makes the money.

    Apple doesn't like Flash because it's something they can't control while it can have a big impact on the user experience of its customers. It's as simple as that.

    Why people moan so much about it is a mystery to me TBH. Flash is a dying, proprietary technology that basically doesn't add any value to the internet experience. Rather the contrary, as there are open technologies that can do what it does. What people should moan about is the websites that keep using that crap...