Apple Accused by Australians of False 4G Claims

[Michael Essany]

On Tuesday, news came to light that Apple will be taken to court by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). According to the few details made public, the folks down under don't appreciate some of Apple's bold claims in ads for the new 4G-ready iPad.

The Australian body will take Apple to court over these "misleading" advertisements that allegedly show Australian iPad users enjoying 4G speeds. You see, in case you're not familiar, the new iPad isn't yet compatible with Australia's 4G network.

For this reason, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission wants Apple to pay for its unfounded and false claims. Specifically, the body is seeking "injunctions, pecuniary penalties, corrective advertising and refunds to consumers affected."

The ACCC alleges that Apple's recent promotion of the new "iPad with WiFi + 4G" is misleading because it represents to Australian consumers that the product "iPad with WiFi + 4G" can, with a SIM card, connect to a 4G mobile data network in Australia, when this is not the case.

Chiefly, however, the ACCC wants Australian customers to be aware of this matter when they purchase an iPad.

The new iPad launched on March 16th in Australia.

Source: ACCC

[vinaygoel2000]

All those people still have option to return the iPad (within 30 days).

[SilverWulfe]

All those people still have option to return the iPad (within 30 days).

Problem with that is they've purchased something that is not exactly as advertised. So if they go to court and win, than there will be some sort of claw back and apple will have to compensate those who own one. Or something.

[tabit]

Down under should be G4

[daytonaviolet]

All those people still have option to return the iPad (within 30 days).

why return it. just sue apple and profit

[Jerry111]

Really? Just because they have a person from Australia, you cant assume he is IN Australia, and why do these people care. They will know if the Australian Ipad has 4g because because when they pay for it the Verizon ppl will tell them. And when a phone doesnt have signal, you dont sue! Some people...

[clive.weller]

Surely, if one buys a product that has been made available in a particular region, one would expect the product to work as advertised in that region. The only get out would be for the manufacturer to state very clearly that a facility might not function correctly in the area in question. Little point having warnings in the small print that is not availble before purchase only to find out after purchase that a function won't work.

[dopeyrat]

Down under should be G4

We do but only from 1 telco provider and at this point in time its only turned on in A) the CBD's of each state and B) only for usb dongles not for phones and calling.

It sucks balls!

[slickric]

We do but only from 1 telco provider and at this point in time its only turned on in A) the CBD's of each state and B) only for usb dongles not for phones and calling.

It sucks balls!

and C) its a pathetic version of 4G that is barely half the speed of what 4G should actually be. The 'telco' is just as bad in this case as its not really 4G but are touting that it is...

[dopeyrat]

and C) its a pathetic version of 4G that is barely half the speed of what 4G should actually be. The 'telco' is just as bad in this case as its not really 4G but are touting that it is...

And the 'telco' in question tryed to the me the other day that the U.S's 4g is AUS 3G and that our 4G is faster??? How pathetic trying to tell an apple fanboy false and misleading info when I know other wise

[ChicagoV]

I know that the popular thing to do around here is to defend Apple as if it's your little sister, going on her first prom... but the issue here is the ORIGINAL wording on Apple's part that more than implied that the new iPad would work on Australian 4G/LTE networks. Unintentional or not, it was misleading. Apple has since changed the "language" on their site. This "lawsuit" wouldn't be the "oh, let's try to get rich off of this" variety that we see and/or celebrate today.

I see this mainly affecting the customers who preordered an iPad, only to find out it isn't compatible. I'm sure they'll be able to get full refunds, if so desired.

Interesting note: I know this is happening in Australia as well, but I bought my iPad in Japan (stationed out here - got the best deal imaginable) and on the box was a sticker that stated, "This product is not compatible with Australian 4G LTE networks, and will only operate at up to 3G speeds in Australia." And yes, I got mine on the 16th.

[miyushi]

Really? Just because they have a person from Australia, you cant assume he is IN Australia, and why do these people care. They will know if the Australian Ipad has 4g because because when they pay for it the Verizon ppl will tell them. And when a phone doesnt have signal, you dont sue! Some people...

Do you realise that we can purchase iPad's in Australia and that we don't have Verizon here. So please explain how a Verizon employee will tell us it doesn't work in Aus when we purchase it in a country where Verizon doesn't exist as a mobile carrier.

Luckily when I bought mine I already knew it doesn't work with our Aus 4G network so just got the wifi one. The Apple employee was not impressed when I told him that the 4G iPad doesn't work with our 4G network.

And yes, I am in Aus and purchased it from an Aus apple store.

[hitman10]

ZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZZzzzzzzzzz..... Sue your mobile company for not being up to date, not apple for creating the future. Geeeeeezzzzz. Waste of time. If you have such an issue then return your product and never return again. But really, why would apple change the insides when its the mobile companies.

[vetyu]

ZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZzZZzzzzzzzzz..... Sue your mobile company for not being up to date, not apple for creating the future. Geeeeeezzzzz. Waste of time. If you have such an issue then return your product and never return again. But really, why would apple change the insides when its the mobile companies.

Yes, but apple still shouldnt advertise new ipad as super fast and 4G in australia when they dont even have the 4G infrastructure setup