Apple's iPad goes on sale

Frantic hype is normally expected ahead of the launch an Apple product; but industry insiders are keen to see if they can actually get the conventional consumers to accept the tablet, which has never been received too well, in previous attempts.

Snaking lines outside Apple stores
Thousands of people, including many who travelled long distances, camped outside Apple stores for a day or more, desperately waiting for the stores to open their doors. The outlets, ready with the teams of employees decked in blue iPad t-shirts, opened at 9.a.m on Saturday morning.

Customers who had reserved the iPad with Apple were given the priority, and those who pre-ordered by Mar 28, will have the device delivered to their doorstep over the Easter holiday weekend.

Anabel Kindersley, a 38-year-old lady, traveled trans-Atlantic to be among the early owners of the iPad.

First iPhone owner not given the first iPad
However, an old fan of Apple was left disappointed when he was told he could not get the iPad because he had not reserved it. This guy was Greg Packer, the first American to get the iPhone in 2007. He is a Long Island resident and had been out the Apple Store since Tuesday; he slept several nights at the nearby Penn Station.

Fueled by the iPad mania, Apple shares reached an all-time high of $238.73.

German blogger Richard Gutjahr, who stood behind Packer in the line, acted wiser. He had already reserved the iPad and consequently became the first owner of the desirable device.

"Apparently nobody before me in the original line had a reservation... crazy," said Gutjahr.

Packer seems to be upset about not getting his iPad first, but Gutjahr is really enjoying this rather insignificant lead. “He needs to wait until the reserved line is done. And that one is lead by me. Who would have thought this?” he said of Packer.

Bigger version of the iPhone?
Most of the iPad enthusiasts, it seems, were using or have used an iPhone in the past. They were familiar with the delight of this Apple product.

Going by the design, iPad is not much different from the iPhone. It is sure thrice as big, adorned with a large touchscreen measuring 9.7 inches on the diagonal. The iPad is a half-inch thick, weighs 1.5 pounds and the models currently on sale can connect to the internet with Wi-Fi. They carry a price tag of $499 to $699.

Apple will soon bring out iPads that will work with cellular internet connections, and will be sold for $629 to $829, with separate charges for internet-access plans.

Fueled by the iPad mania, Apple shares reached an all-time high of $238.73 this week.