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Apple confirms tablet delay; iPad to hit US stores on April 3
by Jaspreet Virk - March 6, 2010 - comments
With the device scheduled to be released in April, the customers in the nation can pre-order the iPad at Apple online store from March 12 onwards.
Putting to rest all speculations, Apple has confirmed the launch date of its upcoming tablet computer. As anticipated, iPad will not be released in March.
Retracting the earlier announcement made by company Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs, Apple has issued a statement saying that the iPad’s Wi-Fi only model will hit U.S. stores on April 3, while the Wi-Fi and 3G model will be released later that month.
Other countries like Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK will have to wait until late April to buy all the models of iPad.
Production problems responsible for delay
The confirmation about the launch delay has not come as a surprise as Peter Misek, analyst at Canaccord Adams, had predicted earlier this week that Apple might delay the release or restrict the launch to United States only.
Misek had linked the delay to manufacturing bottlenecks at Apple’s manufacturing unit, Hon Hai Precision.
He also added that the Cupertino, California-based company might have to limit the number of units sold initially to 300,000, as against one million units initially hoped to be built by Apple.
Pre-order options and pricing details
With the device scheduled to be released starting April, the customers in the nation can pre-order the iPad at Apple online store from March 12 onwards.
Though the company has tied up with AT&T for the 3G wireless service, iPad will not be sold through AT&T’s stores. The sale will be restricted to Apple’s online store, its retail store, and selected authorized dealers.
The tablet will be available at a price of $499 for 16GB Wi-Fi model, $599 for 32GB, and $699 for 64GB.
Further, Wi-Fi and 3G models, hitting the stores in late April, will be priced at $629 for 16GB, $729 for 32GB and $829 for 64GB.
International pricing details have yet not been divulged.
Launch awaited
Though the iPad fans are a little disappointed about the delayed launch, they are eagerly waiting to lay their hands on the upcoming tablet computer.
In words of Jobs, iPad is a “magical and revolutionary product” that connects with applications and content in an “intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before.”
In fact, the tablet has been touted as a device that will revolutionize the way users surf Internet, watch videos, play games, read electronic books etc.
After the launch date announcement, Apple shares hit a record high of $219.36 Friday afternoon, closing at $218.95.