iPad development and not living in the USA
Apple announced the release date for the iPad today. It will be available for sale on April 3d. That is, if you live in the United States. If, like me, you live in Canada, it will be available by the end of April.
Considering the secrecy surrounding the iPad and the geographical distribution of Apple retail outlets, I can understand why the initial release is only done on home soil. It also makes sense in terms of supply and demand. Apple wants to have enough iPads for everybody.
As a consumer, I don’t have a problem with apple releasing in the USA only. As a registered developer, it frustrates me profoundly.
Like many others developers, I am working on an iPad app. Like many others, I am stuck testing it on the tools available to me at the moment. Some privileged top tier developers already have access to the physical device and will be able to have their apps available on April 3rd. I’m fine with that. I understand that Apple wants to hand-pick a few top notch developers for their 0-day offerings. Really, I’m fine with that.
What I’m not fine with is that every developer outside of the United States will not have access to the iPad until approximately three weeks after american developers. That means that our submissions will be artificially delayed by three weeks as well. It basically translates into an unfair advantage for american developers and lost opportunities for the rest of us.
There are already two classes of developers: those who get to sign the secret NDAs and get invited to Cupertino, and those who don’t — please don’t create a third.
To fix this, Apple needs to make iPads available to all their developers come April third. This could be done via the online stores, or even from the retail locations which are located outside the US. If Apple is able to invent a magical and revolutionary product like the iPad, surely they can find a way to put one in our hands as well.
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