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iPad still pending FCC approval, not a problem

by Mike Schramm Jan 28th 2010 at 3:00PM

A few of our readers have pointed out this interesting little blurb currently found down at the bottom of the iPad's specs page:
This device has not yet been authorized as required by the rules of the Federal Communications Commission. This device is not, and may not be, offered for sale or lease, or sold or leased, until authorization is obtained.
Did Apple just announce a "magical and revolutionary product" that they can't yet sell? Yes and no. Yes, given that the 3G iPads will connect to the cell phone network, the FCC will have to approve them. But will that be a problem? Probably not. As our own Mike Rose would say, Apple prefers to announce their products themselves, and they'd rather not have them leaked by a government filing (since any applications filed with the FCC would find their way out to, well, this very Unofficial Apple Weblog).

So it's no surprise Apple has waited until after their announcement to secure FCC approval, and it's very likely that they'll get that approval long before the 90 days until the 3G iPad's release are up. That notice on the page is a formality, and even if the FCC has an issue with the iPad, Apple has plenty of time to fix it.

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A few of our readers have pointed out this interesting little blurb currently found down at the bottom of the iPad's specs page: This...
 

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Mona

Not only FCC approval, but Apple does not yet hold the trademark to "iPad" in North America.

January 28 2010 at 7:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Mona's comment
raymcara

I don't think the name is a issue, worse case senerio they will change the name maybe to applepad.
Do you really need a camera on a ipad?

February 05 2010 at 2:56 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ron Green

So does anyone know if Apple has submitted the iPad for approval?

January 28 2010 at 7:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
howie

We saw this same thing 3 years ago when the iPhone was announced. It too needed FCC approval.

January 28 2010 at 6:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
duncan

Probably why they aren't even taking orders for them yet then. (can't make devices not approved available for sale...)

January 28 2010 at 5:52 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Drew

I remember the audible moans in the keynote for the iPhone when Jobs said it wouldn't be available until June. I was actually expecting as long of a wait for this one too.

January 28 2010 at 4:39 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Sebastian

Another non-article.

Next on TUAW: iPad shipments delayed due to lack of boxes to place them in.

January 28 2010 at 4:24 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
solarpos

Let's see, two column please.
1. People who have ACTUALLY handled it and said persons responses.
2. People who have not handles one and their conjectures.

The # 2 list is FULL of poo pooing the iPad and the #1 list is mixed.

January 28 2010 at 4:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mitchell Scott

This happens to every single product Apple unveils that doesn't ship immediately. iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, etc.

January 28 2010 at 4:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Shirli

I don't get the avalanche of negativity over a device (any device). To all of those naysayers I say respectfully (and politely) perhaps this isn't the device for you. I however am so excited and I can't wait to get one (or two---1 WiFi only and 1 3G).

January 28 2010 at 3:52 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
oz_paulb

@Michael Rose: Pretty much all electronic devices require FCC approval for EMI, "class B computing device", etc.

It isn't just for devices that are designed to be generating radio/cellular signals - it's to ensure that others don't emit them (from clock generator chips, high-speed buses, etc on the motherboard) as well.

January 28 2010 at 3:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to oz_paulb's comment
Michael Rose

Granted, but those don't generally trigger public filings.

January 28 2010 at 6:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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