Subsidised iPads for Christmas? Probably not

It now seems like everyone is in the race to get a subsidised iPad out before Christmas, or are they? The releases on the subsidised iPads all point to subsidised iPads in the New Year, not pre-Christmas.

In the running and in “negotiations” with Apple about delivering a subsidised iPad with a contract data plan are, Three, Vodafone, and the original Everything Everywhere combo of  Orange and T-Mobile.

The plan by the four operators is to make iPads available for the pre-Christmas sales period, although unless they come out early next week it’s going to be pushing things. If this is the case, then it also begs the question that perhaps Apple aren’t selling quite as many iPads as they thought they would. A subsidised tablet campaign by the four networks is going to need a lot of iPads in production, and it’s doubtful if Apple could ramp up that quickly, especially at a time – the holiday season – where they should be selling as many as they can possible make.

However, careful studying of the releases reveals that the plan is to make the devices available “in the coming months” which would indicate that this is not going to happen any time soon. The release on the Three website and the Orange site are exactly the same – word for word- which makes us think that this is all Apple’s doing. There’s nothing like a bit of clarity, and this is nothing like a bit of clarity. Thanks Apple

Spot the difference!

The Three press release

Three UK today announced it will offer new purchase options for iPad users, including more affordable prices when purchased with a data service plan, for iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G models in the coming months. iPad allows users to connect with their apps and content in a more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before. Users can browse the web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch HD videos, listen to music, play games, read ebooks and much more, all using iPad’s revolutionary Multi-Touch user interface. For more information about iPad please visit www.apple.com/ipad/

The Orange press release

Orange UK today announced it will offer new purchase options for iPad users, including more affordable prices when purchased with a data service plan, for iPad with Wi-Fi + 3G models in the coming months. iPad allows users to connect with their apps and content in a more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before. Users can browse the web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch HD videos, listen to music, play games, read ebooks and much more, all using iPad’s revolutionary Multi-Touch user interface. For more information about iPad please visit www.apple.com/ipad/

As yet the only network to have not announced anything is the ironically the network that first brought us the iPhone, O2. And it looks unlikely that they will be entering the market, as according to an unnamed spokesperson for  O2 on Mobile News,  “We will not be selling the iPad with subsidy, O2 micro-SIMs with our great value iPad tariffs are still available for customers who have purchased the device elsewhere.”

[ad name=”Google Text half banner advert “]

  1 comment for “Subsidised iPads for Christmas? Probably not

Comments are closed.