Pre-orders available starting March 12

Mar 8, 2010 12:01 GMT  ·  By

ifoAppleStore is reporting that staff hired to work at Apple’s retail establishments has commenced preparations for the iPad’s arrival. Available starting with April 3rd, the iPad will initially launch in WiFi-only form, with the 3G capable model launching later next month.

Based on knowledge gained from its trusty sources, ifoAppleStore reveals that, “Once again, Apple’s retail stores will be the focus for the company’s latest technology gadget, the iPad (Wi-Fi) when it goes on sale for the first time April 3rd only at the stores.”

The source dealing exclusively with news and information about Apple’s retail stores cites Apple’s announcement that iPads will be available for pre-order starting March 12 (this week). It adds that this isn’t the first time the Mac maker uses the pre-order sales technique, pointing out to the iPhone 3GS announcement, when customers could secure their own unit ahead of the handset’s public release.

Suggesting this year will also be marked by waiting lines in front of Apple’s retail stores, ifo reminds Apple fans that, around the iPhone 3GS launch, “The waiting lines were divided into two lanes when the stores opened for the two types of iPhone buyers.” Interestingly, few people showed up early for a pre-ordered purchase, the report informs. Apple seems to trust there is quite a bit of demand for the iPad.

In an official report issued on March 5, Apple confirmed that the iPad would debut on April 3 in the US, and then in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK in late April. As noted above, the initial launch will only see the WiFi model released. The device runs Apple’s iPhone OS, powering both the iPhone and the iPod touch, but in an enhanced form.

For example, a stripped-down iWork suite can be installed and used on the iPad. It is the first desktop-class productivity suite designed specifically for Multi-Touch. The three apps comprising the suite (Pages, Keynote and Numbers) will enable users to create and edit documents, presentations with animations and transitions, and spreadsheets with charts, functions and formulas.