Apple has sold more than two million iPads since its launch almost two months ago. After becoming available in the US on April 3, the much-hyped tablet device took just 28 days to pass 1m sales, which was around half the time it took the iPhone. The firm began its Asia and Europe launch of […]
Apple has sold more than two million iPads since its launch almost two months ago. After becoming available in the US on April 3, the much-hyped tablet device took just 28 days to pass 1m sales, which was around half the time it took the iPhone. The firm began its Asia and Europe launch of the much-hyped tablet computer last Friday. It will be made available in nine more countries in July, with additional markets to be added later in the year.
There had already been a month’s delay in the launch in the UK after supplies were diverted to the U.S. to meet unprecedented demand there. “Customers around the world are experiencing the magic of iPad, and seem to be loving it as much as we do,” said Apple chief executive Steve Jobs. Thousands of people queued overnight on May 27 at Apple’s flagship London store on Regent Street to be the first to purchase the iPad on Friday morning.
01/06/2010
The iPad, which has a 9.7 inch touchscreen for surfing the web, watching videos and using apps, is also being sold at Dixons Stores Group (DSG) outlets, including Currys and PC World.
Speaking last Friday, DSG category director Jeremy Fenell said that reaction to the iPad going on sale has already been “phenomenal”.
“Queues started building at many of our stores around the country from the early hours of [Friday] morning. We had several hundred people through the doors of our London Tottenham Court Road store when we opened at 8am,” he said.
Prices for the iPad start at £429 for the 16GB WiFi-only version, but increase to £699 for the premium 64GB model supporting both WiFi and 3G.
Pre-orders for the device started being taken at the beginning of May, but Apple recently warned that strong demand has meant that the shipping date could slip to June 7.
Speaking about customers still waiting to receive their iPad, Jobs added: “We appreciate their patience, and are working hard to build enough iPads for everyone.”
Also on Friday, Sky launched its Sky Mobile TV app on the iPad, enabling users to watch live Premier League football on the tablet computer.
