iPad's limitations cloud China scope
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Other shortcomings, such as lack of support for multi-task and Flash, can be fixed easily through software upgrades.
That brings us back to my original question: Is the iPad a wise choice for consumers? It's revolutionary and magical for Apple's business model, but not for the hardware itself. The iPad is expected to be on shelves in China next month. The product description has been published on the Chinese-language Website.
But I think the iPad will attract only a niche group of enthusiasts in China. The company faces challenges of policy, pricing and network conditions to promote the new device.
"(Apple) fans may easily overlook all the shortcomings in their eagerness to own an iPad," said Lei Yun, an analyst of research firm In-Stat. "But most consumers probably won't buy what is really just a bigger iPhone."
Pang Mei, a university student, is among the latter. "The reason is simple," Pang said. "I can't use the functions I want in China. Therefore, it's just a gadget with a beautiful 10-inch screen."
The iTunes Store, like other global popular services like YouTube and Facebook, isn't available in China. The iPhones sold in China are without Wi-Fi functions, which has made Apple's iconic product less attractive in the domestic market, compared with Nokia's flagship N97.
What's worse, Apple doesn't support popular local services like Xunlei (file sharing) and PPS (online video). "Maybe Jobs has forgotten the Chinese market," Pang mused.
In fact, Apple has ambitions to penetrate the Chinese market, the world's No. 1 mobile phone and No. 2 PC market. The US-based consumer giant plans to open two directly operated Apple Stores in Shanghai and one in Beijing this year.
"It's impressive, but is it useful?" asked Wei Zhong, an editor of an IT magazine in Shanghai. "Chinese people are used to getting content and application for free online. Few people will pay US$9.90 for a digital book, film or music (iTunes Store's price). They will choose Xunlei, PPS and Baidu instead."
Even before the debut of the iPad, Chinese makers launched cloned products, Shanzhai versions from Chinese copycats.
A 10.2-inch device called P88, with video playing and reading functions as well as a big-capacity hard disk, debuted in the domestic market last year, according to an article on Shanzhai.com.
The network infrastructure level, a necessary condition of cloud computing, also poses an obstacle in China, where Wi-Fi spots are available only in several major cities like Beijing and Shanghai, and Wi-Fi signals don't even cover the whole urban landscape.
Some people have high expectations for 3G, which debuted in China a year ago.
