Following a series of complaints across the world and continued pressure from regulators, Apple has quietly rebranded its new iPad to address concerns, as 9to5Mac first reported. Apple had branded its new iPad as WiFi + 4G, but the device was only capable of connecting to LTE networks in North America. Regulators expressed concerns that Apple's advertising was confusing and misleading buyers in regards to the data speeds the third-generation iPad could achieve.

In response to several accusations and continued pressure, Apple has rebranded its new tablet as the new iPad WiFi + Cellular. Outside of North America, the new iPad only connects to slower 3G networks, but Apple still advertised as WiFi + 4G around the world.

Australia was the first to voice concerns over the issue and actually sued Apple, accusing it of misleading customers with the advertising of the new iPad. Australian consumer rights watchdogs argued that one LTE network operating in the country uses frequency bands that are not compatible with the new iPad's LTE modem, while the other 4G network uses WiMAX, which is not supported either. In response, Apple updated its online store to clarify that its new iPad is not compatible with 4G LTE networks in Australia.

"This product supports very fast cellular networks. It is not compatible with current Australian 4G LTE networks and WiMAX networks," reads an explicit message on the Apple Online Store for Australia. "For service from a wireless carrier, sign up for a simple, month-by-month plan on your iPad and cancel anytime without penalty."

Furthermore, Apple removed references to 4G from its Web site and edited a video detailing 4G LTE connectivity after the UK advertising standards authority expressed concerns as well. The UK Apple store, however, still advertised the new iPad as WiFi + 4G.

Apple had previously ceased its marketing campaigns touting 4G in those countries, but this is the first time the company is actually changing the name of the iPad itself. Apple dropped the "4G" in favor of the more generic "cellular" specification, and added a message indicating what roaming support is available.

Apple has rebranded its third-generation tablet as iPad WiFi + Cellular in many of its online stores, starting with the UK, Australia, the U.S., Canada, UAE, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, New Zealand, Malaysia, Ireland and Hong Kong. Apple is also amending any other mentions of 4G on its product pages for the new iPad. To maintain the consistency of this rebranding, Apple even changed the name of the new iPad in the U.S., where it actually is compatible with LTE networks.

(reported by Alexandra Burlacu, edited by Surojit Chatterjee)