Americans are no doubt used to having a bottle of shampoo or sharp grooming tools confiscated at the airport, but what if you had your $500+ iPad taken away from you with a dubious promise to get it back later? That's exactly what Israeli authorities are doing after a new regulation passed in the country this week, and nearly a dozen passengers have had to surrender their shiny new toys.
The reason, according to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, is that American Wi-Fi gadgetry is allowed to broadcast at a higher signal than is allowed in Israel and Europe. The iPad, then, could interfere with the wireless operation of other devices in the country.
Travelers aren't the only ones feeling the pain, either. Israeli software developers eager to make the move to the iPad have had to practically smuggle the unit in, according to the Huffington Post:
Amnon, a software developer who legally brought an iPad into Israel but asked that his last name be withheld to avoid potential government repercussions, said he and other high-tech businessmen need the iPad to develop new applications for the device.
"There are several hundred people in Israel who make their livelihood developing apps... and there are going to be companies that suffer, because they can't deliver the services they're supposed to be delivering," he said.
It's thought the the European version of the iPad will meet Israel's standard and therefore be allowed into the country.
Travelers aren't the only ones feeling the pain, either. Israeli software developers eager to make the move to the iPad have had to practically smuggle the unit in, according to the Huffington Post:
Amnon, a software developer who legally brought an iPad into Israel but asked that his last name be withheld to avoid potential government repercussions, said he and other high-tech businessmen need the iPad to develop new applications for the device.
"There are several hundred people in Israel who make their livelihood developing apps... and there are going to be companies that suffer, because they can't deliver the services they're supposed to be delivering," he said.
It's thought the the European version of the iPad will meet Israel's standard and therefore be allowed into the country.
Posts
