The launch of the new iPad earlier this year has resulted in Apple getting hit with a big fine in Australia over the iOS tablet"s 4G speed claims. AFP.com reports that Justice Mordy Bromberg of the country"s Federal Court slammed Apple with a fine that totaled $2.25 million Australia dollars ($2.29 million in US dollars).
Apple previously claimed that the new iPad, released in March, had 4G speeds when it was advertised in Australia. However, the truth was that the iPad cannot actually connect to the only 4G wireless network in that country because the network operates on a frequency of 1800MHz; the new iPad"s LTE 4G hardware works on frequencies of 700MHz and 2100MHz.
Previously, Apple said it would email all iPad owners in Australia and offer them refunds if they felt they were mislead by the 4G speed claims. It has also changed the branding of the iPad to show it is "Wi-Fi + Cellular", rather than 4G. However, in his ruling today, Justice Bromberg said, "The conduct concerned was deliberate and very serious. It exposed a significant proportion of Australian consumers of tablet devices to a misleading representation."
In addition to the fine, Bromberg also ruled that Apple must pay an additional $300,000 in Australian dollars to deal with court costs.
Source: AFP.com