Apple's shocking news - iPad 3 abandoned

Apple is one of the most secretive companies around and despite the well publicised leaks about the iPad Mini, there was a lot more new kit at the Apple event than anyone had imagined. There were surprises and shocks today.

The big problem I have with Apple's secrecy is that it screws customers. No-one expected the iPad 4 to be launched and the iPad 3 went on sale just a few months ago. Looking at the Apple store now, it is simply not there. The iPad 4 replaces it at the same price. Just imagine how those people feel that bought an iPad 3 last week. Apart from their iPad being abandoned by Apple, they could have had one twice as fast (with the A6X processor and other tweaks)  next week.

If only Apple had not been so secretive. Firstly, it should have warned people that there's a new model coming out. Secondly, they should have discounted the old model. Then customers could have had a choice - buy the iPad 3 with a discount or wait a week or so and order an iPad 4 at full price.

Customers have been well and truly screwed by Apple. Of course we expect  hardware to be upgraded and no doubt the iPad 5 will be even better than today's iPad 4, but to sell someone an iPad 3 just a week or two ago without warning them that they could get one twice as good for the same money if they waited a bit is shocking. They've been ripped off. I'd be mad if I'd bought an iPad 3 recently. Is there a law against this? Selling someone something with the full knowledge that next week there will be a replacement that is twice as good for the same money. If there isn't there ought to be.

Rules for purchasing hardware and software:

1. Never buy version 1 of anything.
2. Don't upgrade to the next version, skip a generation and buy alternate generations.
3. Always queue up and buy it on launch day. Wait six months and you could end up buying something that will be replaced very shortly.