Remember just after the iPad was released Israel banned imports of the much anticipated Apple Tablet computer over concerns that the tablet’s wireless signals might interrupt signals on other devices in the country? Well now they’ve lifted that ban.
According to communications ministry spokesman Yechiel Shabi, Israel has lifted the ban after conducting intensive tests on the new tablet computer in a “controlled laboratory”.
“Following the completion of intensive technical scrutiny, Israel Minister of Communications Moshe Kakhlon approved the import of the iPad to Israel” said Shabi in a statement.
It all sounds so serious doesn’t it? I mean no other country banned the iPad from crossing their borders and Israel took it so seriously that they actually confiscated at least 10 of the new gadgets from people trying to enter Israel with one in their possession. These people will now of course be able to get their iPads back.
The move to ban the iPad came about because Israel’s signal standards are similar to those in Europe and the iPads were the same as those used in the US.
I wonder why no European country followed Israel’s lead and ban the iPad before it was released in Europe?
Naturally, a lot of people were angry, particularly Israeli software developers and Apple lovers. The wave of negative publicity didn’t do Israel much good at all.
“Of course, in the mainstream media, it was bad PR and we didn’t like this,” Shabi said.
“But we said we would test it and it took us a week. I think that is very fast.”
There were rumours that it wasn’t other phones and devices that Israel was concerned about, they were worried that the iPad’s signal might interfere with their military equipment. However, they have denied that this is the case.
Shabi also said that they had been in touch with Apple to find out more about their signals to see if the iPad’s would meet their standards.
“We have nothing against Apple products. We like the iPhone here in Israel,” added Shabi.
So you can now take your iPad into Israel but only one per person will be allowed in.
Due to a stronger than anticipated demand for the iPad in the US, international shipments have been delayed. This means that people in other countries probably won’t get their hands on one until the beginning of June now.
Apple will take pre-orders from 10th May and will begin shipping them out at the end of next month.
