Apple iPad sells 300,000 on debut
submitted by markodonoghue on 06 April 2010
Apple says it sold more than 300,000 of its iPad tablet computer, on its launch day in the US.
The figures for Saturday included pre-orders as well as sales at Apple stores across the country. The news sent Apple Inc shares up 1.1% to a record closing high of $238.49 on Monday.
The iPad is not yet available in the UK or other countries but will be on sale in parts of Europe, Canada and Australia by the end of April. It is retailing in the US at $499 to $829 (£328 to £545). European prices have not been announced yet.
Apple said that iPad users had downloaded more than one million applications from its App store and more than 250,000 electronic books.
The first generation model has Wi-Fi but not 3G connectivity. Apple chief executive Steve Jobs said in a statement that the touchscreen device was "going to be a game changer".
Queues for the new iPad's launch day were smaller than the crowds which gathered for the iPhone's debut in July 2007, according to reports. On the iPhone's launch weekend in the US, it was reported that up to 525,000 phones had been sold.
Some customers took the plunge and bought an iPad straight away, going by how well the iPhone did on release, but I'm sure there are a lot of people who are waiting to see how well the iPad actually does. Prices won't be coming down for a long while yet but I don't think this will put the majority of Apple fans off.
Submitted by:
Mark O'Donoghue
Associated Links:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8603599.stm
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