Apple has changed the branding on its new iPad, dropping the “4G” designation. Instead, the company is calling the updated tablet “WiFi + Cellular,” after facing some criticism that its iPad runs only on what U.S. networks call “4G,” as opposed to what falls under that designation in the rest of the world.
The technology firm even faced a legal challenge from Australia’s consumer watchdog organization, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, over the name. Apple later offered refunds to Australian consumers who felt misled by the labeling, though it argued that it was within its rights to call its iPad a 4G-capable device because of the way it works with U.S. networks.
Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the branding change, but reportedly told the Sydney Morning Herald that it made the change for simplicity. According to the statement, Apple explained that companies “do not all refer to their high-speed networks with the same terminology.”
The name change, first noticed in Apple’s online stores in Australia and Britain, is now up on the U.S. and Canadian online stores. The Australian store, however, has a very explicit disclaimer about what the new iPad can do: “This product supports very fast cellular networks. It is not compatible with current Australian 4G LTE networks and WiMAX networks.”
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Apple offers iPad refunds to Australian customers, report says
Apple faces Australian legal challenge over 4G label
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