Apple finally launched the new iPad in China Friday.

Unlike previous iPad launches in China, the release was low-key with little fanfare and far less frenzied compared to previous launches. 

New iPad customers lined up in an orderly fashion in Shanghai and Beijing, different from those prior which were marked by overnight waits for retail stores to open their doors. The new iPad launched worldwide in March of 2012, however China was initially not included among the launch countries due to an ongoing lawsuit involving the use of the iPad brand name.

That hurdle disappeared several weeks ago when Apple reached a $60 million settlement with Proview over the iPad name.

China has long been considered the fastest growing market for Apple, and the release of the new iPad in China will certainly lead to greater profits and sales for Apple. Sales in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan are combined at $7.9 billion as of the end of Apple’s fiscal second quarter.

According to Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook, Apple has merely “scratched the surface” in terms of sales potential.

 

[Reuters]

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