The Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 will go on sale next week in Australia after the Australian High Court denied Apple’s appeal of an earlier decision overturning the ban on the device. We’ve been reporting on developments in this case over the last few weeks. Two weeks ago, the ban was lifted, and Apple appealed, then a high court judge extended the ban through today.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported:
Late last month the full bench of the Federal Court unanimously reversed a ruling that banned the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 in Australia until a full hearing next year. The court had found that the original judge, in granting the temporary ban, didn’t properly weigh up the strength of Apple’s case.
Today’s decision was critical as if Apple was granted special leave to appeal against the decision the Samsung tablet would most likely never see the light of day, as by the resolution of the case it would have been overtaken by newer products.
Samsung Australia vice president of telecommunications, Tyler McGee, said he was pleased with the outcome. “It’s fantastic for us and also for the consumers in Australia who now have the opportunity to play with the Galaxy [Tab 10.1].”
He said Samsung’s tablet should be available “towards the latter part of next week”. The RRP of its 16GB wi-fi Galaxy Tab would be $579 and 3G version $729 – exactly the same price of Apple’s base wi-fi and 3G iPad models. He also said that certain channels should have pre-sales available today. Samsung couldn’t begin sales of the tablet today, as they were banned from importing any stock into the country.
If Samsung’s tablet sales in Australia are anything like the sales have been in the U.S. then the Aussies have a phrase that applies perfectly, “No Worries”.
