VOA标准英语2012--Long Lines, Protests Greet Apple Launch of New iPad

Long Lines, Protests Greet Apple Launch of New iPad

Now on sale in 10 countries, hundreds of people lined up at stores around the world - some camping overnight - to be among the first to own a third generation iPad.

And amid the hype that's become typical of Apple's product launches - those with the stamina¹ and patience to be first - were treated like rock stars.

With prices starting at about $500 - Apples's newest tablet computer sports a faster processor, sharper graphics² and an improved camera. Experts say it's not a big departure from the original, but Hong Kong professor Gino Yu said it represents the future.

"I think it will be very popular. For a large part of the population, it's kind of replaced their normal laptop computers and its really a media consumption device," said Yu.

But not everyone is enamored by Apple's latest offering.

Apple customers use umbrellas as they wait in line at an Apple store on the first day of the launch of the new iPad, in San Francisco, March 16, 2012. 

In Washington and New York, protesters voiced concern for the workers who assemble Apple's products.

"We in the U.S. buy products without thinking about the workers that make them. And for just a few dollars more, Apple could be much more responsible to their workers in China," said one man.

The Fair Labor³ Association has been investigating the working conditions at Apple assembly plants in China, following reports of plant explosions, poor pay and worker suicides.

Apple manufacturer Foxconn says it is boosting wages as much as 25 percent, but workers there claim management also increased fees for dormitory rooms and food. 

Protesters have gathered more than 250,000 signatures, encouraging Apple to take action. 

"Apple says they think different. We want them to think ethical⁴. They're a market leader and if they took a step to have an internal worker protection strategy, it would really push the rest of the market to be part of that. That's what we, that's all we want them to do. We want them to be the leader that they say they are," said one woman.

But most consumers remain oblivious⁵. Early buyers told reporters the wait for the new iPad was worthwhile. And most couldn't wait to take them home.

Apple currently dominates the tablet personal computer market - selling more than 55 million units since 2010. Some analysts⁶ predict Apple could sell as many as 60 million of the new iPads this year.

1 stamina   

n.体力；精力；耐力

参考例句：

• I lacked the stamina to run the whole length of the race.我没有跑完全程的耐力。
• Giving up smoking had a magical effect on his stamina.戒烟神奇地增强了他的体力。

2 graphics   

n.制图法，制图学；图形显示

参考例句：

• You've leveraged your graphics experience into the video area.你们把图形设计业务的经验运用到录像业务中去。
• Improved graphics took computer games into a new era.经改进的制图技术将电脑游戏带进了一个新时代。

3 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

4 ethical   

adj.伦理的，道德的，合乎道德的

参考例句：

• It is necessary to get the youth to have a high ethical concept.必须使青年具有高度的道德观念。
• It was a debate which aroused fervent ethical arguments.那是一场引发强烈的伦理道德争论的辩论。

5 oblivious   

adj.易忘的，遗忘的，忘却的，健忘的

参考例句：

• Mother has become quite oblivious after the illness.这次病后，妈妈变得特别健忘。
• He was quite oblivious of the danger.他完全没有察觉到危险。

6 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。