Apple to redesign iPad for Europe

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Complex European safety regulations have forced Apple to redesign its new handheld device for the UK market

 

Apple has been forced into a last-minute redesign of its ground-breaking iPad for the UK market, after European health and safety tsars claimed that the device posed a risk to young children.

 

A source at the little known Federation Of Online LED Safety told The Times that early versions of the touch-screen device “were too sharp” and might damage young fingers.

 

Apple has already delayed the device's launch in the UK, though first deliveries will take place in the United States this weekend.

 

The delay, it is now clear, has been used by Apple for a hasty redesign into a shape that is considered acceptable on safety grounds within the EU.

 

European spokeswoman Ima Durak confirmed that, after consultation with the authorities, the European version of the iPad will be spherical.

 

The touch-screen will function in the same way as on the American sharp iPad, with the connection ports located on the rear of the device.

 

"After discussions with the Federation, it was clear that we needed to reconfigure the iPad to avoid any sharp edges," Ms Durak confirmed.

 

The new shape, Apple believes, will appeal to the European love of football, and the company plans to launch in time for the World Cup in June.

 

The new shape will allow the device to be rolled from one user to another, though the fragility of the screen means that bouncing is out of the question.

 

In accordance with European accessibility legislation, the Euro-Pad will also feature a specially redesigned interface that responds to the human foot as well as fingers. This, Apple claims, will open up a whole new market for applications developers, and a virtual footrub app is already available on the app store.

 

 

http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/ne...icle7083990.ece

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