Does this mean only available with contract? and delayed launch for UK and others?

[decson]

Hi all

Ok, think I have checked all threads but can't find anyone else commenting on these articles.

Firstly will the tablet only be available in US at launch? Similar to how they introduced the iPhone, based on only a US event so far, with no other country events.
http://www.9to5mac.com/apple_tablet_us_only
I can understand it in terms of possible news paper subscriptions, but I would of hoped Apple would of been out speaking to all papers, not just the US! Sorry US... As well as book firms..

Hopefully not, but I wouldn't be surprised. A contradiction to this was I found on the UK stuff.tv site where they have said they have an invite to the event.. Any other countries reporting the same?
http://stuff.tv/News/Apple-event-confirmed-for-27-January/13913/

Then part 2, which is more worrying, will the i****** only be available with a contract? Recent article from guardian, which again makes sense, however I have an iPhone, broadband at home, I don't want another contract! A bolt on or additional fee possibly, even tethering (we can in the UK) is pref to this! Also, wasn't AT&T supposed to of enabled tethering by end of 2009? Co-incidince perhaps???
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/jan/19/apple-islate-mobile-phone-subsidies
Any other countries reporting this?

So what are your views?
Cheers!

 

[GoCubsGo]

It's really hard to tell as it doesn't exist yet.

 

[decson]

Sorry thought this was a rumor site to discuss news, rumors et al....

It's really hard to tell as it doesn't exist yet.

 

[OllyW]

Apple is a very US-centric company so it wouldn't be a big surprise if it was initially available only in the home market.

 

[talkingfuture]

I thought the reason for US only event might be because it isn't shipping on the same day so they don't need the journalists at Apple UK or wherever to demo the device after.

 

[decson]

I can wish

I thought the reason for US only event might be because it isn't shipping on the same day so they don't need the journalists at Apple UK or wherever to demo the device after.

However, isn't it supposed to not start shipping to March/April time?

 

[t0mat0]

Firstly will the tablet only be available in US at launch? Similar to how they introduced the iPhone, based on only a US event so far, with no other country events.


http://www.9to5mac.com/apple_tablet_us_only
I can understand it in terms of possible news paper subscriptions, but I would of hoped Apple would of been out speaking to all papers, not just the US! Sorry US... As well as book firms..

Hopefully not, but I wouldn't be surprised. A contradiction to this was I found on the UK stuff.tv site where they have said they have an invite to the event.. Any other countries reporting the same?
http://stuff.tv/News/Apple-event-confirmed-for-27-January/13913/

Then part 2, which is more worrying, will the i****** only be available with a contract? Recent article from guardian, which again makes sense, however I have an iPhone, broadband at home, I don't want another contract! A bolt on or additional fee possibly, even tethering (we can in the UK) is pref to this! Also, wasn't AT&T supposed to of enabled tethering by end of 2009? Co-incidince perhaps???
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/jan/19/apple-islate-mobile-phone-subsidies
Any other countries reporting this?

So what are your views?
Cheers!

- We could see the Touch/iphone situation with the Tablet - one with, one without 3G/ phone capabilities.
- Launch likely to be US first, some other countries may follow - it seems Richard at the Guardian got a tip off on this point but we've only got a week to go.
- Apple doesn't have to do all the ground work - this is just the announcement. They haven't even put the OS out to developers to work on!
More will sign up, if there's a negative cost of not being on the Tablet.
See HarperCollins for example - that's News Corp, Murdoch country. The greedy soandso he is, if Apple could show the publishers etc could make more profit through Apple's way, they will.
(a book is bound to it's digital right's owner who purchased it and 4-5 others who are logged into the same account). It cuts down borrowing, lending, loaning(which is big!!! Apple is saying to the book industry there's a way to turn library loans instead into book purchases).

The papers will come to them. e.g. I'd expect The Guardian to come to it quickly (see their paid Guardian app on the App Store).
As per contracts, this has been brought up elsewhere - Gizmodo did an article on the pain of multiple contracts. I'd imagine there will be contract free tablets.
Tethering on AT&T? Ain't co-incidence - AT&T just can't cope, so have been backpedalling for months. The tablet will be more of a bandwidth hog than the iPhone! (ALso - it'll be one damn cool TV device - UK viewers will likely be able to use TV Catchup at home!)

Apple hasn't got it all ready. This is just an announcement. Look at when Vodaphone negotiated a contract with Apple in the UK - last minute. Look at the length of time and secrecy O2 had to have with Apple for their initial contract for the iPhone...

 

[talkingfuture]

However, isn't it supposed to not start shipping to March/April time?

Thats exactly what I mean. If it isn't shipping for a while and its just an announcement the journalists who don't go to the keynote can cover it from internet and the press release.

I heard somewhere that the most important european outlets like the BBC have been invited to the keynote in SF.