Sprint iPad shows in Best Buy listings, may not get sold
updated 07:15 pm EST, Fri March 9, 2012
Best Buy hints at possible iPad
Sprint's inability to get an iPad might be short-lived if a discovery Friday is an indicator. A full 14 entries for a "Sprint iPad new" are in the inventory database as seen by an Engadget tipster. There aren't any clues as to possible release dates, if it releases at all.
The carrier has publicly stated that it doesn't have any immediate iPad plans, but it has so far been careful to use terms that leave an opening for a future launch.
Its entries could be long-term placeholders or even purely speculative. Sprint's upcoming LTE network won't use the same frequencies as either AT&T or Verizon and casts doubts on Apple wanting to launch a third 4G iPad model just to cater to one network.
A chance still exists that Apple might simply be waiting on Sprint's mid-2012 deployment of its new 4G data before bringing the iPad. The new tablet could run on EVDO 3G today, but both Apple and Sprint would likely want to have 4G to produce fair competition and a consistent experience.
