iPad copy already hits Chinese stores

Apple currently has no launch date for the iPad in China in fear that the market will be unprofitable. A copy of the iPad which is called the iRobot has already been seen in one of Shanghai’s top computing outlets. They are selling the iRobot as the iPad’s identical twin.


The iRobot is on shelves in the Shanghai store, surrounded by other “Apple” products including three iPhones (?).

The iRobot is selling for $400 where as the cheapest iPad is $500. Although the iRobot has attributes of a typical fake product including cheap plastic and non-Apple features such as memory card slots and USB ports.

Piracy and cheap alternatives an ongoing problem for large Western firms struggling to compete in the China market. However, with high quality and a superior product Apple should be able to enter the market successfully just as it did with the iPhone.

I haven’t got an iPad or iRobot yet, but for an extra $100 I think it’s worth the extra spend for a high quality product. Now if only they were both a little cheaper?

Check out this video to have a look at the iRobot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YgVFWNh078

For more information visit: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64R1HH20100528