AppleInsider StaffThe iPad 2 was supposed to go on sale in Japan on March 25. But on Tuesday, the delay was announced, and a new sale date was not revealed, according to Reuters.
"We are delaying the launch of the iPad 2 in Japan while the country and our teams focus on recovering from the recent disaster," Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris reportedly said.
The iPad 2 is still scheduled to go on sale March 25 in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the U.K. Apple has said that availability for many more countries around the world will occur in the coming months. Further international availability and pricing will be announced at a later date.
As Apple gears up for an international launch, the company has struggled to meet demand in the U.S., where the iPad 2 went on sale last Friday. Apple is believed to be completely sold out of its touchscreen tablet in all of its own retail stores, as well as partners' locations.
In response to the disaster in Japan, Apple over the weekend began accepting Red Cross donations through iTunes. Through a page devoted to the tragedy (iTunes link), users can donate in amounts of $5, $10, $25, $50, $100 and $200. One-hundred percent of contributions will go to the American Red Cross.
An unnamed Apple Store manager also revealed that Apple retail stores in Japan have become a rallying point for citizens following last week's devastating earthquake and tsunami. Crowds have reportedly flocked to Apple's stores to stay connected, gain Internet access, and recharge their smartphones in order to make calls and reach loved ones.
Malcolm Owen
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43 Comments
Makes sense, iPads might not be the priority there. Plus, deliveries and infrastructure could be better used for relief supplies.
never mind
Makes sense, iPads might not be the priority there. Plus, deliveries and infrastructure could be better used for relief supplies.
I completely agree. In this time of tragedy, it is more important to get supplies where they need to be rather to put an extra burden on the infrastructure with iPad deliveries.
There are lines enough as people use the Apple Store for communications, charging their phones, getting news, and apparently even sleeping there (for employees). No need to add to the chaos right now.
With rolling blackouts, gas shortages, food shortages in places, not to mention all of the other stuff happening with the reactors, there's no way that they could have launched I think.
What Apple is doing with the donations through iTunes is fine and all, but I'm surprised that they haven't donated anything themselves yet, like some other big companies have already done. Maybe they could match every donation made through iTunes. Even Charlie Sheen has donated a portion of his ticket sales.