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Does anyone really know?
- Thread starter jimbo1mcm
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they said from the very beginning that the 3g versions would be a few weeks behind the wf-fi only version
It's not delayed. Watch the Keynote, Steve said that the 3G would not ship till late April, whereas the Wifi would be available late march.
Slightly different manufacturing process, they probably had to add an extra conveyer at the factory branching off on the main wifi line, and a few dozen people to man that conveyer, to add the 3G chip. That takes ramp up time, not to mention training time for employee's to install the new part. It's even possible that the manufacture didn't know about the 3G model until a few hours before the keynote, as we know how much apple loves keeping people in the dark.
Slightly different manufacturing process, they probably had to add an extra conveyer at the factory branching off on the main wifi line, and a few dozen people to man that conveyer, to add the 3G chip. That takes ramp up time, not to mention training time for employee's to install the new part. It's even possible that the manufacture didn't know about the 3G model until a few hours before the keynote, as we know how much apple loves keeping people in the dark.
wasn't it delayed to allow proper FCC testing and to await for the approval to begin selling the 3G version of the iPad.
Actually Apple did start production of the 3G model without FCC approval, and could do so because they've been down this road before and know that they have a 99% chance of approval in time for their delivery.
They wait until the last horn blows to file for approval for security purposes. Once you release the item to the FCC for approval it enters the public domain and anyone can see it. By waiting until the last minute Apple cuts down on this peeping at their toy.
The FCC approval is needed only on the 3G model because it transmits data as well as receives it over the Cell phone network The WiFi model only receives and transmits data in an extremely limited area. That is why the WiFi only model can be released earlier.
This is a very crude explanation and I'm sure someone will correct the portions of it that need it.
They wait until the last horn blows to file for approval for security purposes. Once you release the item to the FCC for approval it enters the public domain and anyone can see it. By waiting until the last minute Apple cuts down on this peeping at their toy.
The FCC approval is needed only on the 3G model because it transmits data as well as receives it over the Cell phone network The WiFi model only receives and transmits data in an extremely limited area. That is why the WiFi only model can be released earlier.
This is a very crude explanation and I'm sure someone will correct the portions of it that need it.
Actually the company can request that the product be kept out of public view. It's what Apple always does with their products.
3G delay
When I ordered mine (3G 64GB), I asked via CHAT why the delay, and he said it was due to AT&T needing extra time to get their networks ready. Could be BS, but given the impact all these iPads are going to have, it kinda made sense. I also asked if he could promise it would ship by end of April, as I have a trip I need it for, and he said he was confident it would ship end of April, but could not provide an exact date yet.
(my 1st macrumors post - be kind! - I only own a 1st gen iPhone).
When I ordered mine (3G 64GB), I asked via CHAT why the delay, and he said it was due to AT&T needing extra time to get their networks ready. Could be BS, but given the impact all these iPads are going to have, it kinda made sense. I also asked if he could promise it would ship by end of April, as I have a trip I need it for, and he said he was confident it would ship end of April, but could not provide an exact date yet.
(my 1st macrumors post - be kind! - I only own a 1st gen iPhone).
Delay
From a profit perspective, I would have thought they'd have produced the 3G versions first -- not only does the extra antenna not cost Apple $130 to add, but having roving wireless access would improve the experience of their customers and thus word of mouth sales. (Wifi is almost ubiquitous, but there's a fair number of public locations where it's flakey or nonexistent). So I'm inclined to believe the "AT&T Network Upgrade" theory.
From a profit perspective, I would have thought they'd have produced the 3G versions first -- not only does the extra antenna not cost Apple $130 to add, but having roving wireless access would improve the experience of their customers and thus word of mouth sales. (Wifi is almost ubiquitous, but there's a fair number of public locations where it's flakey or nonexistent). So I'm inclined to believe the "AT&T Network Upgrade" theory.
Just a helpful hint for the future:
Posts with such poor non-discriptive titles are often an aggravation factor for a lot of people. I am sure lots of readers would be thankful if you were to choose a title that gave a hint what the topic was about.
/Jim