Apple has made its interest in pursuing China to the best of its ability abundantly clear today. At the event to introduce its new models, Apple SVP of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller announced that the iPad Air would be available on launch day in that country, which is a first. Previously, China would get the iPad after weeks or months of wait.
Apple has been making moves to release products more aggressively in more countries early on in the cycle. It’s also aggressively expanding its stores in China. Apple introduced the new iPad Air as a $499 starting price tablet alongside an iPad mini with Retina display for $399.