New iPad expected to hit China in late July
Staff Reporter 2012-07-07 14:25 (GMT+8)
The Chinese release of Apple's newest iPad has been hindered by a trademark dispute in the country. (File photo/Xinhua)
The most recent generation of Apple's iPad is expected to be officially launched in China July 27, after the American gadget maker closed a dispute over the "Ipad" trademark with the Shenzhen branch of Taiwan's Proview Technology, reports Chinese internet portal Tencent.
Apple and Chinese retailers that will sell the iPad have yet not confirmed that date as yet, but the latter have said the release is slated for the end of the month.
The first batch of iPads will be Wi-Fi-only models — as opposed to those equipped with 3G — as it is still unclear whether tablets with mobile data connectivity will be sold in China. It is possible that they could in the future given that Apple was given a network license from Chinese authorities in May, according to Chinese IT website MyDrivers.
The price of the gadget in China will be similar to that of the previous generation, the website added.
The new iPad's China launch has been stalled for some time due to a trademark dispute with Taiwan-based Proview, which filed the patent for "Ipad," another product the firm was developing in China.
The two companies ended the dispute on June 25 with a US$60-million payment from Apple to Proview for securing the rights of the mark, according to the Higher People's Court of Guangdong province.
Apple's revenue in Greater China came to US$7.9 billion, accounting for 20% of its global total, according to a financial report released March 31. China has become the second-largest market for Apple, with 55 million iPads sold in the country.