The new Apple iPad went on sale in India on Friday minus the
hysteria that had marked the launch of Apple's latest tablet in the United
States and nine other countries in March. There were no consumers lining up
around city streets and no agonising wait for loyal fans waiting to get their
hands on a new Apple device. "We sold around 12 to 15 of the new Apple
iPad s today," said Afzal Ahmed, team leader at an Apple Premium Reseller
in New Delhi's Connaught Place. "Also, there were nearly 40 which were
booked in advance". "There's definitely not the kind of craze we saw
with the earlier Apple iPad s." One reason could be the third-generation Apple
iPad is seen more as an improvement,
with a high-definition "retina" display and a better camera, than a
major innovation. Raman Kumar, a 31-year-old trader walked in around 7 in the
evening in New Delhi's central business district, and bought a white 64GB wi-fi
and 4G version -- at 50,900 rupees the most expensive Apple iPad on offer. But the Apple fan, who already owns
an iPhone and a MacBook, said he may not get to use the device that often.
"This is basically for my kids to play games," he
said. A Reuters photographer at a store in Mumbai's posh Bandra district saw a
teenager and two executives browsing for the new Apple iPad but said there was little evidence it was
going to be a hot-seller. The new Apple iPad went on sale in India more than a month after
the popular tablet computer was available in 10 countries including the United
States. The third iteration of the best-selling device is priced between 30,500
rupees and 50,900 rupees in the Indian market depending on the variant. The Apple
iPad with 16 GB of memory that works
only on wi-fi networks is priced at 30,500 rupees, while the one that can
operate on both wi-fi as well as fourth-generation (4G) mobile networks costs
38,900 rupees. The new Apple iPad is,
however, not compatible with the 4G LTE network currently available in India
and customers will have to make do with the 3G networks. Bharti Airtel launched
India's first 4G network in Kolkata this month and is expanding the high-speed
network to Bangalore, Pune and Chandigarh in the coming months.
But the Indian networks are powered by a different radio
spectrum band than the ones used by the 4G Apple iPad , which is supported only
on the networks of a handful of U.S. and Canadian carriers. The Apple iPad is the clear market leader globally, and the
new version with its faster chips, fourth-generation wireless and a sharper
display is expected to cement Apple's lead. Customers have the option to buy
the new Apple iPad in black or white
with 16, 32, or 64 GB of memory, and can choose a model that works only on
wi-fi or on both wi-fi and 4G. The company will continue to sell the Apple iPad
2 in India but has slashed its prices,
with the 16 GB wi-fi model now available for 24,500 while the 3G version will
cost 32,900 rupees. "The price is a little high, but who cares?" said
Hans Deka, 26, a real estate consultant who had seen the device on a recent
trip to Singapore. "It's an Apple iPad . I am buying one for sure."
Pricing of the new Apple iPad :
Wi-Fi models
16GB - 30,500 rupees
32GB - 36,500 rupees
64GB - 42,500 rupees
Wi-Fi 4G models
16GB - 38,900 rupees
32GB - 44,900 rupees
64GB - 50,900 rupees
Source: Reuters India
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Create CMS Website
With our completely customized website options and systems,
we can present your website exactly the way that you want it. From interactive
shopping, to specialized blogs and subscription services, we don’t want there
to be any barriers between your vision and a great user experience. All of the
extras you want on your website that before were challenges, just became
opportunities.
No comments:
Post a Comment