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iPads banned from Yankee Stadium

By | May 24, 2010, 8:18am PDT

Summary: The iPad is now being banned from Yankee Stadium due to security concerns, as the tablet computer falls under the “no laptop” rule.

The iPad is turning out to be quite the unwelcome guest in many locations. The latest one is Yankee Stadium, which has banned the flashy 9.7-inch tablet computer from the venue.

First, you couldn’t bring or ship an iPad to Israel, although that ban was lifted later. Then universities around the U.S. started prohibiting the iPad presence on campuses.

Now, Yankee Stadium has joined in, asserting that it falls under their “no laptop” rule due to security concerns. Even though TSA doesn’t have a problem with iPads on planes, they are allowed to make their own rules. Yet, apparently Boston Red Sox and San Francisco Giants fans can still bring their iPads into the game, so who knows what’s the real deal with the forces behind Yankee Stadium.

However, if you’re at a baseball game, you should really be focused on the game rather than browsing the web. So why bother bringing the iPad in the first place?

A lot of the bans have pointed towards security concerns, but it’s rare that so many decrees refer to the same gadget. Is this all just a bunch of iPad-hate?

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Apple iPad, Tablets, Productivity, Notebooks, Hardware, Notebooks & Tablets, Rachel King

Rachel King is a staff writer for ZDNet based in San Francisco.

Disclosure

Rachel King

Rachel King has no business relationships, affiliations, investments, or other potential conflicts of interest relating to the content posted in this blog.

Biography

Rachel King

Rachel King is a staff writer for CBS Interactive in San Francisco. Before serving as a contributing editor at ZDNet in New York City for two years, she previously worked for The Business Insider, FastCompany.com, CNN's San Francisco bureau and the U.S. Department of State. Rachel has also written for MainStreet.com, Irish America Magazine and the New York Daily News, among others. Rachel has a B.A. in Mass Communications and History from the University of California, Berkeley and a M.S. in Journalism from Columbia University, where she served as art director for the student magazine, Plated.

Talkback Most Recent of 33 Talkback(s)

  • Just Curious....
    Does the ban also include the iPod Touch and iPhone? Other than screen size, they have a lot in common in terms of capability. And what about other smart phones?
    ZDNet Gravatar
    Badgered
    24th May 2010
  • Why have an iPad at a baseball game ?
    1. Pitching Changes
    2. Mound Conferences
    3. TV commercials between half-innings.

    There is a lot of time at a baseball game when no one is playing ball.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    prw3505
    24th May 2010
  • Wrong Again! Can't you ever get it right!
    This is a Q&A from George Washington University. Get you facts right & stop reporting Carp


    The Apple iPad and Network Connectivity at The George Washington University

    Q&A

    Q: Has the University banned the Apple iPad?

    No, the University has not banned the iPad.

    Q: What is the current status of iPad usability on campus?

    Currently, the iPads cannot use our existing wireless network because the iPad cannot pass GW security standards to access our network. We believe iPads will work on our wireless network this summer.

    Q: How is the University currently handling connectivity issues with the iPad?

    We have two on-going pilots that can support the iPad -- one using a Cisco VPN security access software that comes with the iPhone and a second pilot that we are testing now with the iPads. We are building the new system to address the increasing use of mobile computing devices on campus while enhancing network security measures. The new system will provide a much better experience for the user.

    Q: How long will it take before the new system is fully functional?

    Full functionality will support a range of platforms beyond the iPad and enhanced security measures for on-campus users. We are continuing with this rollout because our initial feedback from users is that our current system, which requires logging into a web page for access, is not the best solution for the mobile user. We expect to have the iPad and iPhone functional this summer and to be at full functionality by spring 2011.

    Q: Currently, how compatible is the GW network with other Apple products including the iPhone or Mac computers?

    The George Washington University wireless system has proven to work well with a variety of computer systems from many manufacturers including Apple.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    MacNewton
    24th May 2010
  • RE: iPads banned from Yankee Stadium
    @MacNewton - I agree with you. This story sounds fishy - we should stop reporting Carp!
    ZDNet Gravatar
    photokid1970
    24th May 2010
  • RE: iPads banned from Yankee Stadium
    @MacNewton Its also been reported that the Israel ban was to protect the largest Apple vendor in the country from losing local sales. http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2363039,00.asp
    ZDNet Gravatar
    tymiles
    24th May 2010
  • BUT..........
    Getting it right doesn't get many page views!

    DUH!
    ZDNet Gravatar
    rikku9999
    24th May 2010
  • RE: iPads banned from Yankee Stadium
    Boy MacNewton, a little touchy aren't we. Where does it say that GWU is one of the university's that is banning the ipad?
    ZDNet Gravatar
    jgale94043
    24th May 2010
  • RE: iPads banned from Yankee Stadium
    @jgale94043 Where does it say that GWU is one of the university's that is banning the ipad?

    If you click the link at "universities" it will take you to the story that mentions GWU.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    Badgered
    24th May 2010
  • RE: iPads banned from Yankee Stadium
    He thought it was GWB, maybe? That's as close as I can get to Yankee Stadium, right?
    ZDNet Gravatar
    luiscordero
    24th May 2010
  • RE: iPads banned from Yankee Stadium
    Badgered, It was the WSJ that reported over a month ago that GW, Princeton, and Cornell had banned iPads.
    The news was then re-reported in numerous other news sites, and blogs etc.

    The problem was that it is just not true.
    One of them had disabled a few that were conflicting with the network, one had a VPN setup that iPads were not able to get onto yet, but they are working on that. The other had never had a problem, and sells iPads in the campus store.

    The continued misreporting of the bad original WSJ story is annoying, bad journalism, and just wrong.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    srogers3
    24th May 2010
  • RE: iPads banned from Yankee Stadium
    @srogers3

    Agreed. Bad Journalism is just wrong. Unfortunately, journalism with a motive seems to be a goal of the media cartels. Find a story that goes against something you don't like, make sure it has enough spin in favor of your position, and publish it. If ya get caught, blame the specific reporter as it is THEIR fault, and not the fault of the cartel that encouraged it.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    DaemonSlayer
    24th May 2010
  • Would the large glossy surface work as a mirror?
    When I first was reading this article the thing that popped into my head was that it would make a pretty good mirror, thereby capable of distracting play. Nevermind security, bad form to blind the players wink
    ZDNet Gravatar
    paul_wagner@...
    24th May 2010
  • RE: iPads banned from Yankee Stadium
    @paul_wagner@...

    And a darn nice weapon...
    ZDNet Gravatar
    Rick Caringer
    24th May 2010
  • RE: iPads banned from Yankee Stadium
    Well if I go to a game, I want to be part of it all, the game, the breaks in between the innings, the social networking between those who went with you and those you don't know. Seems like nobody cares to conversate no longer. As long as they don't ban phones & cameras that is all right with me. Play Ball!!!! Let me get a beer and hot dog now.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    luiscordero
    24th May 2010
  • Ipads banned from Yankee Stadium, why not texting.. !
    All I know is wherever I go all I see is HS and college age girlies texting.. or talking non stop on their cells. most have those going everywhere> in the coffee line. in the movie theater, in the hospital. everywhere. A guy I know said he caught his lover texting while making love. I say kick her to the curb.. same goes for the dumb guys too. strike texting out for good...!
    JW in PDX.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    jimwatersosf@...
    24th May 2010
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