iPad gets streaming video; global launch delayed

Traci Patterson

Live streaming video and video-on-demand streaming is coming to Apple’s iPad, thanks to Dilithium and its Dilithium Content Adapter (DCA).

Now service and content providers can provide their customers with access to live or on-demand video content, including Adobe Flash video, through the standard iPad Safari browser, the company said.

The DCA supports all popular video formats and performs on-the-fly and on-demand media formatting and codec adaptation. iPad users do not need to install any special applications to stream video to their device, which may be connected over wireless networks.

“The iPad has a larger screen, which requires special adaptation and bit rate configurations to meet customer’s viewing expectations in varying wireless network conditions,” said Marwan Jabri, founder and CTO of Dilithium Networks. “As with the iPhone, the iPad does not support Adobe Flash video. The Dilithium DCA iPad solution solves these challenges with its patented technology, which has already been proven in a major large scale worldwide deployment that solved many of these challenges for the iPhone.”

Meanwhile, U.S. buyers have been snapping up the iPad so quickly that Apple is delaying the tablet computer's overseas debut a second time.

Apple said it will now start taking orders for the iPad from international buyers on May 10.

In January, it said the iPad would be sold worldwide in late March. After analysts reported production delays would limit the number of units available, Apple postponed the U.S. launch to April 3 and delayed plans for the international launch until late in April.

Word of the second delay didn't faze Apple investors, who are eager to see signs the iPad is selling well. Apple shares rose $2.39, or 1 percent, to $244.82 in morning trading.

"We know that many international customers waiting to buy an iPad will be disappointed by this news, but we hope they will be pleased to learn the reason – the iPad is a runaway success in the U.S. thus far," Apple said.

Apple said it has delivered more than 500,000 iPads in the U.S. and has taken "a large number" of orders for the coming models that can go online over cellular broadband rather than solely where Wi-Fi is available. Those versions cost $629, $729 or $829, depending on the storage capacity.

The Wi-Fi-only iPads available now are $499, $599 or $699.

– The Associated Press contributed to this report

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