Apple has posted an official report confirming the number of iPads sold during launch day. The company confirmed that iPad buyers took to the iTunes Store within hours of their purchase to download an average of three apps. Customers also downloaded over 250,000 ebooks from the iBookstore on the iPad’s first day in the wild.

A relevant paragraph from the company’s official announcement can be found (unmodified) below:

CUPERTINO, California - April 5, 2010 - Apple® today announced that it sold over 300,000 iPads in the US as of midnight Saturday, April 3. These sales included deliveries of pre-ordered iPads to customers, deliveries to channel partners and sales at Apple Retail Stores. Apple also announced that iPad users downloaded over one million apps from Apple’s App Store and over 250,000 ebooks from its iBookstore during the first day.

A statement from Apple’s CEO, Steve Jobs, is also included in the respective report, with Jobs expressing great joy in regards to the iPad’s long anticipated public launch.

“It feels great to have the iPad launched into the world - it’s going to be a game changer,” said Steve Jobs. “iPad users, on average, downloaded more than three apps and close to one book within hours of unpacking their new iPad.”

In a predictable manner, Apple modified their press-release ending paragraph to include a reference to the iPad. “Apple ignited the personal computer revolution with the Apple II, then reinvented the personal computer with the Macintosh,” read the first, unchanged lines. “Apple continues to lead the industry with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system, and iLife, iWork and professional applications,” the text continues. “Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store, has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and has recently introduced its magical iPad which is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices,” the paragraph ends.

Softpedia note
Although we’re pretty sure the iPad will be a game changer, as Steve Jobs stated, we’d have waited a little while longer to call it future-defining.