Go Israel! The Ipad is your enemy!

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Apple’s iPad is proving to be popular everywhere — except Israel. The country’s Communication Ministry is refusing to let people bring the multimedia tablet into the country because it hasn’t tested and approved the Wi-Fi technology

used in the device, according to Haaretz.

Ministry officials commented, “The iPad device sold exclusively today in the United States operates at broadcast power levels [over its WiFi modem] compatible with American standards. As the Israeli regulations in the area of WiFi are similar to European standards, which are different from American standards, which permit broadcasting at lower power, therefore the broadcast levels of the device prevent approving its use in Israel.”

The government seems serious about its iPad import ban. Customs officials have already confiscated ten iPads and told their owners to ship them overseas.

The Communications Ministry has asked iDigital, Apple’s distributor in the country, for technical information on the iPad so that it can work on the approval process.

There’s no word on when to expect an official OK from the Communication Ministry, so for now it looks like all iPads stop at Israel’s border.

http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/isreal_blocks_ipad_imports/

[The_Dude 1,142]

I read about this in PC World. They were saying that the Israeli government was working to try to solve the problem with apple. Furthermore, wouldn't this be a problem with american vs. EU electronics standards as opposed to Israel? Currently, the iPad is only sold in the U.S., so it would be fitting that they are to those standards. I feel a nerd rage from the fanbois coming.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Yeah you are right...apple just has not had a chance to focus on EU standards because of US demand..I'm totally biased against apple. They are just another Microsoft hiding under a pretty exterior.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Yeah you are right...apple just has not had a chance to focus on EU standards because of US demand..I'm totally biased against apple. They are just another Microsoft hiding under a pretty exterior.

They are the hipster version of Microsoft. They are equally ruthless in the marketplace, and twice as controlling.

[scandal 951]

They are the hipster version of Microsoft. They are equally ruthless in the marketplace, and twice as controlling.

Actually, it's Israeli customs agents at TLV who are being controlling here by confiscating the devices out of passengers bags.

Interesting that while the WIFI standard is "incompatible" with Europe/Israel, it's only Israel that is confiscating. No word out of European countries of such a problem though doubtlessly passengers have been flying them into Europe from the US since the product launch.

Rosh katan ba'aretz, as usual.