Apple already expanding iPad 2 to Radio Shack on Tuesday
updated 01:50 pm EDT, Mon March 28, 2011
iPad 2 to hit Radio Shack on Tuesday
An internal corporate memo has revealed that Apple is already planning to expand the iPad 2's US retail spread with a deal for Radio Shack. About 500 stores US-wide are due to start carring the tablets Tuesday, March 29. AppleInsider's source lacked unit numbers but said it was a last-minute plan that had only been agreed upon in the "last few days."
The company had a much wider launch with the iPad 2 than in the past, covering not just Apple and Best Buy like last year but including AT&T, Verizon, Target, and Walmart. An expansion so soon is still unusual as Apple often waits until supply shortages have settled down or until closer to the holidays, when the expansion has its maximum effect.
Radio Shack was one of the last to get full iOS support from Apple and only got the iPhone in March 2010, but it has made up for this by being unusually aggressive with price cuts. It has been offering substantial trade-ins and immediate discounts that often haven't shown at any other retailer.
For Apple, retail expansion is important both to drive sales as well as to prevent Android tablets like the Motorola Xoom from having 'safe' zones. The Xoom just Sunday reached Best Buy and other retailers in Wi-Fi form.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2004
what about a "safe-zone" in the 7 form factor
Paperback books were once called pocketbooks were they not?
The "paperback" sized tablet is real, as confirmed with the B&N color nook, which is selling about as fast as the iPad within the U.S. - It's based on Android. Has a 7" screen, and as HSN revealed recently, will soon have an app store and flash support in the web browser, as well as an external, non-browser email program.
The reality is, whether reading books, playing games, or surfing the web the 7" size has more screen real estate than a phone, and is more portable than a "magazine" sized tablet.
Don't give android a safe zone here. If you do, they'll capitalize on it.
And I rant like this from a personal perspective, I'd love to have that 7" apple tab.