- Carriers, Cameras, Lawsuits
Apple’s latest product was the subject of countless rumors on the Web, and the beast is not quite dead.
Apple has released its software development kit (SDK) for the iPad; sent out a specifications sheet to various press and developers; and begun shipping spare and replacement parts to a handful of shops, creating a variety of new rumors and questions about what the iPad will feature at its launch.
The first thing that should concern a bit is that the iPad hasn’t officially been authorized by the Federal Communications Commission. According to Apple, "availability and pricing are subject to change. This device has not yet been authorized as required by the rules of the Federal Communications Commission. This device is not, and may not be, offered for sale or lease, or sold or leased, until authorization is obtained."
The only concern that the pending approval could cause would be the FCC forcing Apple to sell the device to all of the US’ wireless carriers. This is mostly speculation.
Photos, Videos and a Camera Slot
Now that the SDK has been made available, many are expecting the iPad to ship with a camera similar to those on the MacBook line. The "Contacts" application contains a user interface for taking photos, which means, at least during its development, a camera was being considered.
According to Engadget, the latest iPhone OS 3.2 contains references to functions for video conferencing, mirror-imaging a video feed (useful for webcams), and running a video call full-screen or within a pop-over view. These are believed to be applicable for the iPad due to screen dimensions and other notes, but they could easily not be applied to the iPad just as they won’t be for the iPod Touch.
A handful of repair shops are supposedly getting their first sets of replacement parts for the iPad. Taking apart the case is said to reveal a slot for a camera toward the top of the device. The slot fits existing laptop cameras used by Apple, but the company is officially saying nothing on the issue.
The UK Disconnection
Apple’s UK Web site has gone live with its iPad information, giving hopeful buyers a mixed bag of news.
One spot of good news is that the device will be shipping in the UK by mid-April; the non-3G version has rumors of a late March launch. Apple hasn’t said anything about carriage partners outside the US, but the rumor mill doesn’t mind and is saying O2 and Orange are the two networks likely initially involved.
The downside here is the iBooks setup. Apple’s UK page doesn’t say a thing about books, the e-library or publisher partners. The site mentions apps and videos, but it’s currently impossible to tell if Apple will be delivering books to the UK and the details are just getting finalized or if the international iPad will end up being illiterate.
Domo Arigato NTT Docomo
Japan’s NTT Docomo is considering a change in policy and may sell SIM cards for Apple’s new iPad leisure device, a move that would make it among the first major domestic operator to sell SIM cards separately from handsets in that country.
Japan would then see the beginning of a market paradigm shift as it joins other countries where SIM cards can be switched freely between different phones from the same carrier. In Japan, SIM cards don’t work on mobiles sold by other carriers, while many other countries have no such limitations — or at least very few restrictions. Oddly, Apple’s iPhone carries one of those big restrictions in a handful of countries.
While the move marks a big policy shift, users aren’t going to be able to run out and buy phones from other carriers as soon as the iPad hits the market. The iPad uses a SIM card that’s about one-half the size of Japan’s mobile phone SIM cards.
NTT Docomo is likely considering these sales, so it’ll get a slice of the pie if users change their minds or eventually move to a 3G version bought directly from Apple.
What’s in a Name?
Ever since it was announced, Apple’s iPad has seen a slew of questions and some not-so-friendly Internet mockery about its name, but when the device hits the market, some are wondering if it’ll still bear that burden because of a potential lawsuit from Fujitsu.
In 2002, Fujitsu released a portable inventory management device called the "iPAD." The device had its last iteration and update in 2006. According to the company, the current iPAD is still around and features things like a "PXA 270 processor with Microsoft Windows CE .NET 5.0, together with an 802.11 b/g radio and Bluetooth v1.2," according to The New York Times, and it’s still being advertised and sold by resellers.
Fujitsu appears to have confirmed to The Times that it will sue but declined to officially confirm that report.
There is one hitch in this potential legal action: Fujitsu’s trademark of the iPAD has stalled because of another trademark filed by Mag-Tech, according to PC Magazine. Fujitsu’s application lapsed but has since been revived.
Apple is asking for time to fight the patent application, and Mag-Tech is so far staying out of the fray. |
