“The 3G iPad 2 has so far met with an extremely poor response in mainland China, at least at retail, reports say,” MacNN reports.
“Apple Stores in Beijing and Shanghai are said to have been totally devoid of crowds during the Wednesday launch, even though guards and fencing were brought out in anticipation of long lineups,” MacNN reports. “Photos show the Nanjing Apple Store with staunchions snaking around the exterior, but no one at all in line.”
MacNN reports, “The non-existent turnout is being blamed on several factors, most notably price, since in mainland China even the cheapest 3G iPad 2 costs the equivalent of $735, over $100 more than in the US. 3G tablets have also been available through the Hong Kong gray market for some time. China Unicom has yet to offer any custom-tailored iPad plans, despite being Apple’s only official carrier partner in the country.”
More in the full article, including photos of non-existent lines, here.
MacDailyNews Take: Apple misread the tea leaves.