After almost a year of its launch, technology giant Apple's iPad has finally hit the Indian market, with the gadget officially launched in the country on Friday. iPad enthusiasts, till now, had to depend on the grey market or go abroad to but the device. However, with the official launch, iPad will now be available in India starting at Rs 27,900 (Wi-Fi, 16 Gb) and going up to Rs 44,900 (Wi-Fi+3G, 64 Gb), according to information available on Apple's website.
In all, six versions of the iPad would be available in Apple stores across the country, with 16 Gb, 32 Gb and 64 Gb memory space in Wi-fi and Wi-Fi plus 3G versions. “There are more than five tablets being launched in India, and many more in the coming year, but iPad is still the most sought tablet in the Indian market, as Apple is followed as a religion globally,” Gartner Principal Analyst Vishal Tripathi said.
Apple will now be able to tap the market of new consumers, a segment it was earlier losing out to competitors, Tripathi said. Asked if the pricing could be a concern, Tripathi said, “Prices of other similar devices could pose a competition. But, we must remember that Apple has never targeted the mass market and highly price-conscious consumers, so that should not worry the company.”
State-run telecom operator BSNL has announced dedicated 3G plans for the iPad at Rs 999 (unlimited monthly usage), Rs 599 (6 Gb free per month, 1p/10 Kb after free usage) and Rs 99 (unlimited daily usage). Other telcos are also expected to launch rate plans specifically for the iPad.
Apple had announced the launch of the iPad in the US about a year ago (January 27), though it went on sale in April 2011. In India, the iPad will compete with Samsung's Galaxy Tab and the Olivepad, among others. Apple's current porfolio in India includes its Macbooks, iPhone and iPod.