Apple is about to complete an important part of the puzzle for the new iPad’s world rollout: it just confirmed that its Retina display-packing tablet will reach mainland China on July 20th. The company isn’t specific about local pricing, but it’s promising both WiFi and cellular versions at its own stores and through resellers. The company is keen to avoid some of the mobs and scalping it’s seen in the past and will open reservations for pickup starting on July 19th — although the company is unusually limiting the reservation window to just three hours each day, between 9AM and noon. No matter how it shakes out, the official Chinese expansion is likely to keep the number of slingshot-delivered imports to a minimum.

Update: As some commenters have noted, the Chinese launch is helped mostly by the truce with Proview. The current iPad design has been certified since March; Apple isn’t about to mention Proview by name in the release, but it likely wasn’t keen on risking another store ban when it could just avoid the battle altogether.

Continue reading Apple launches new iPad in China on July 20th (update: here’s why)

Filed under: Tablet PCs

Apple launches new iPad in China on July 20th (update: here’s why) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Jul 2012 08:47:00 EST.