You are getting that message because as the iPad is not supposed to be sold outside of US, they disabled access to other region iTunes store on the device. However as Edoras mentioned, you can still use the iTunes store on your PC/Mac and purchase stuff then sync it over This should tide you over until they have the international launch which I hope even if it did not include MY will allow us to access the MY store.

For Apple released Apps like Pages, Numbers and Keynotes you have to use the US iTunes account. For most of the games you can use the MY iTunes account but of course there will be a game or two that will only be available in the US account, never figured out why this is the case. For US iTunes you have to get the iTunes Gift Card to add credit in unless you have a US credit card.

That's the price of being an early adopter. I think if you work out the TCO based on the 16GB version it would work out something like:

16GB iPad - RM 2400 (*average figure used based on what I see in the forums)
iPad dock? - RM 170? (*not everyone will want it)
iPad VGA Adapter? - RM 170? (*not everyone will want it)
Apps - Numbers, Keynote and Pages Total to USD 30 so roughly put it as RM 100

You can see how the initial cost of ownership will be. This is a rough estimate for early adopters until we get our own launch here

This post has been edited by mAxPC: Apr 19 2010, 09:05 PM

Early adopters like me are just purely "crazy" to buy at that price... haha..

Purely 'rich' to do so...

How much different is it from an Iphone??
It must suck w/out multi tasking now?

Not always so, different people have different priorities so some tend to "invest" more into technology oriented areas but skimp on others. As for me I think I am the "cannot resist it, must have it" camp No matter what I told myself, I broke down and got myself one lol

Wouldn't say it sucks without multitasking now, would be good to have it when the update arrives but at the moment it is pretty usable albeit with some little constraints here and there and waiting for developers to come out with better iPhone apps, not only games.

I don't even realize if I really need "multi-tasking" now...

lol post it up i'll put into my ipad and wave at him when he lurk around at machines

hey endoras ...where u bought ur ipad case?? online?

Just got confirmation from a friend from US he got for me from Best Buy and hope fully can get it by end of this month. Hehehe

thanks for the reply. useful figures there

well i was thinking of getting one for the house, but if it's gonna cost more than an iphone the smart thing to do would be to wait it out. a 32gb wifi one would be good for me

Today is a very productive and fruitful day!

Thanks to "B" (you know who you are), I managed to get s super-finely wrapped iPad back, as well as turn my iPad into what is essentially a 3G iPad. Hear me out.

"B" managed to hook me up with his contact who sells this:-
Novatel Wireless MiFi 2352 - Intelligent Mobile Hotspot for HSPA Network (Europe)



What does this credit card size device does?



What does all this mean, you ask? I am now basically a "walking mobile hotspot". With the Celcom 3G Broadband simcard inside, my iPad can now log into the SSID generated by the MiFi and surf wirelessly by the 3G connection from my Celcom data plan subscribed (which is unlimited, BTW). Not just that, with the GPS enabled/assisted 3G positioning, I can finally use the Google Map application on the iPad as it is intended to be, mobile and on the go! Weather HD now ACCURATELY detects positioning and displays weather forecast INDEPENDENT of Wifi position or the need to be at a fixed hotspot, and what is even more liberating, AppStore download cruises like nobody's business, I had downloaded the free Toy Story picture book app using the MiFi mobile hotspot, with the line zipping by at HSDPA speed fed to the mobile hotspot!

The device self-installs on both Mac OS X AND Windows (installation packages are smartly extracted from the built-in storage memory, and installed without the need of looking for drivers), and once installed, you can set up secured SSID and assigned channels so that your iPAd can use is as a mobile hotspot. Once you have set the SSID name, and chosen a security encryption level and password, you can simply disconnect it from the computer and it runs practically on itself using its removable rechargable Li-Ion battery. What is even crazier is that, you don't even need to slot the battery in if you plug it into a powered USB slot, the MiFI draws power from the USB slot and runs it like any other normal USB 3G modem! Want something much crazier? It comes with built-in MicroSD slot to turn it into a USB Mass Storage device with a MicroSD card up to 16GB!

Security encryption offered is up to WPA2-PSK level, and up to 5 different devices can log in wirelessly at one time. Tried it just now at Gamers Solution (they just moved there for the new store opening, hence no Internet connection ATM), and were happily downloading and surfing on 3 different machines (2 iPads and one desktop computer) while the connection remained steady violet (Violet = HSDPA up to 7.2Mbps, Blue = 3G, Green =GPRS). We even tried it while driving, and along the way from Pertama Complex to Wangsa Maju, till my house in Keramat, the line remained steady violet, and speedtest app on the iPad (done while DRIVING on the road to these location!) constantly gives between 1.5Mbps to 3.5Mbps! The iPad never felt so alive with the internet connection feeding it, and I was personally downloading free apps like Adobe Ideas and Background HD while we were going between these places. Simply amazing!

I believe this device, or iteration of this device has been rebranded/rebadged by Sprint as Sprint MiFi, pictured below:-



but bear in mind, Sprint runs on the EVDO frequency channel, which is not compatible with our 3G GSM network.

"B" then later hooked me up with his favourite wrapping shop in Lowyat to wrap the back of the iPad, and trust me, I am skeptical as hell about all this wrapping business. I was sufficiently convinced after seeing the work done on his own iPad, and after the service was applied to my own iPad, my worries were really not necessary. Great looking and well-protected application of the wrap, and all it needs now is the front screen protector, which again, "B" is helping me getting along with his, and my iPad will be naked and thinly protected!

What a great day it was! iPAd sufficiently protected and essentially turned into a 3G iPad with the help of the Novatel Wireless MiFi 2352. Very very pleased with the outcome today!

This post has been edited by stringfellow: Apr 20 2010, 12:53 AM

wow...... next time if i see u, then i know i will get free wifi ( as long as i stay beside u)

LOL bro, anytime! Friends help one another.

How much does it cost?

Speaking of which, sorry to report, no clear cases available in the 5th Ave AppleStore. None of the Apple case either - which is the one that I wanted...

Wooo a mobile walking hotspot awesome thing to have around. Can't wait to try the wrapping service

Omg, i need another one, my father just love this thing.

Thought as much. Thanks for trying, bro.

Bro,

How much did u pay for Novotel Wireless MIFI?

Click my previous spoiler. Then highlight the spoilered area.

The sticker price shock may be apparent at first, but think about it, you're getting a USB 3G modem, a wireless router, and a USB storage device all in a package no larger than your credit card.