AUSTRALIA: Apple rapped over advertising new iPad as 4G-capable

New iPad

Australia's consumer watchdog has taken Apple to court for what it describes as "false advertising" because the tablet does not work on Australia's 4G network.

There were similar concerns when the device was launched in the UK on March 16th, as it will not work on the UK's proposed 4G network due next year either.

Apple has offered Australian customers a refund if they felt they were misled, and the firm's lawyers say they are willing to publish a clarification.

However, the company does not accept that it misled customers.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) says: "Apple's recent promotion of the new 'iPad with wi-fi + 4G' is misleading because it represents to Australian consumers that the product can, with a sim card, connect to a 4G mobile data network in Australia, when this is not the case."

The watchdog has lodged a complaint at the Federal Court in Melbourne. The matter will go to a full trial on May 2nd.

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Andy Clough

Andy is Global Brand Director of What Hi-Fi? and has been a technology journalist for 30 years. During that time he has covered everything from VHS and Betamax, MiniDisc and DCC to CDi, Laserdisc and 3D TV, and any number of other formats that have come and gone. He loves nothing better than a good old format war. Andy edited several hi-fi and home cinema magazines before relaunching whathifi.com in 2008 and helping turn it into the global success it is today. When not listening to music or watching TV, he spends far too much of his time reading about cars he can't afford to buy.