14 DAY TRIAL // Apple has reportedly started sending out emails to newsletter subscribers, notifying them that iPad pre-orders are available starting Friday, March 12, at 5:30 AM Pacific time. Apple has recently issued an official report confirming that its WiFi-only iPad would be available in the US on April 3rd. All iPad models will be available in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK in late April.
Citing an email from Apple sent out to customers, TidBITS reports, “According to an email from Apple, ‘customers can pre-order online at www.apple.com at 5:30 AM Pacific time on Friday, March 12’.” The site notes that pre-orders are being taken for United States purchases of both the Wi-Fi-only and Wi-Fi + 3G models of the iPad. However, many of those who’ve signed up for pre-order info did not receive the email in question, Softpedia included.
As noted above, Apple has recently announced that its upcoming iPad is launching early next month in the US, confirming tech-analysts’ expectations that the device would be delayed. In the same report, Apple also confirmed plans to offer pre-orders for the iPad from its web store, beginning with March 12. The offer is limited to US residents, who can also reserve a Wi-Fi model to pick up on Saturday, April 3, at one of Apple’s retail stores.
The company advertises the iPad as providing an incredible web-surfing experience, e-reading capabilities, and tons of other uses via third-party software available from the iTunes App Store. The Mac maker has also confirmed an iBookstore where customers will be able to purchase books from a huge catalogue via the built-in iBooks application. Featuring books from the New York Times Best Seller list from both major and independent publishers (including the Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins Publishers, Macmillan Publishers, Penguin Group and Simon & Schuster), the iBookstore will be available when the iPad officially debuts.
The iPad will be available in Wi-Fi models on April 3 in the US for $499 (16GB), $599 (32GB), and $699 (64GB). The Wi-Fi + 3G models will be available in late April for $629, $729, and $829, with the same storage options.