The iPad has recorded massive success around the world. With the help of the user friendly tablet Apple has also managed to secure a third spot on the top 10 portable device manufacturers list in the US. People everywhere seem to be completely satisfied with their new iPad. But Apple, like many other US companies, seems to be having trouble with governments from the Middle East, who didn’t have a great opinion – initially- about the iPad. In April the Israel Communications Ministry announced that it would be imposing a ban on the import of Apple’s recently released tablet computer, the iPad. Several iPads were confiscated by customs officials at Ben-Gurion Airport. Israel’s government feared the tablet computers could interfere with other wireless devices. The ban remained in place until they made sure that the device met the European standards for wireless use of communications frequencies.
The result was a lot of anger from users who weren’t previously informed that the government would place a ban on Apple’s device. While arriving at the Ben-Gurion airport many users had to give up their iPad to the customs agents. The ban which was caused by concerns regarding the interference of the tablet computer with other electronics lasted for two weeks. Several thorough tests proved that the iPad was functioning properly and didn’t have any impact on other wireless devices. As a result the ban was lifted and all confiscated iPads returned to their owners. According to a Reuters report : “The tests proved the device identifies the Wi-fi access point in its surroundings and adjusts itself automatically, enabling the iPad to be operated without interfering with other wireless devices, the ministry said.”
Today the Israeli importer of Apple products announced that it would begin selling iPads in the country in a few weeks, although an exact date hasn’t been provided. Four months have now passed since the ban was lifted. While people will keep waiting for the iPad’s release at the official importer, an Israeli electronics chain will start selling iPads later this week. Israeli newspapers claim that Apple’s tablet will have a price tag of 3,800 which translates into $1000. In the US the iPad’s start price is of $500.
What’s for sure is that people in Israel have been waiting a long long time to get their hands on an iPad, despite the fact that Israel is a technically advanced country. Fortunately, since Apple’s tablet has been recording success after success and massive sales ever since its release, it’s probably one of the few devices worth the wait.11