Does everybody remember Steve Jobs’ January promise?! I remind that Mr. Jobs announced during the iPad presentation that all 3G models will not be tied to local operators and now, three and a half months later, it emerges that not all.
Last weekend it emerged that the iPad 3G will be sold locked in Japan – it will be tied to operator. Apple formally confirmed this information, the company specified that exclusive cellular operator will be Softbank Mobile, actually, there was no doubt about it.
It stands to reason that Apple did this under the operator’s pressure, tie to operator is, generally speaking, quite normal for the Land of the Rising Sun.
That’s why, if you will have the possibility to purchase Japanese iPad, you should take into account that it is locked and I’m not sure that some day it can be unlocked.