New iPad Launches in China to Short Lines and No Riots

Apple's launch of the new iPad in China has gone smoothly thanks to a new reservation system put in place.

Apple was 'taken by surprise' at the violence that broke out during its iPhone 4S launch in Beijing. Scalpers became upset at the long lines, slow pace, and possibility that they wouldn't get an iPhone. Fights broke out and local police ordered Apple to close the Beijing store after determining that the situation wasn't safe.

For the new iPad launch a new system has been put into place. Reservation requests are accepted daily from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. beginning Thursday, July 19 for pick up the following day.


TNW describes the scene: Apple's flagship Chinese store -- in Beijing's Sanlitun district -- actually opened at 8:00 am, two hours earlier than scheduled. Half an hour later, the queue outside was just 10 people long, although it began to pick up subsequently. Nonetheless, security gates have been set up while a number of security guards are enforcing the albeit short line – though there is no suggestion that Beijing police will be summoned, as had been the case when events flew out of control when the iPhone 4S debuted.

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