Apple to launch iPad in nine more countries this Friday

WELLINGTON, July 21 (PNA/Bernama) -- The Apple iPad will be launched in nine more countries this Friday and customers will be able to purchase both the Wi-Fi-only and 3G-capable models of the iPad at all of Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized resellers, said China's Xinhua news agency.

The nine countries are Austria, Belgium, Hong Kong, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand and Singapore.

The iPad tablet, billed as a "magical and revolutionary product", launched in the United States on April 3 but demand caused delivery delays to the international market.

It went on sale in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and Britain on May 28.

The Wi-Fi-only models would have a recommended retail price of 799 NZ dollars (US$ 568) for 16GB, 979 NZ dollars (US$ 697) for 32GB and 1,149 NZ dollars (US$ 818) for 64GB, and the Wi-Fi + 3G models at 999 NZ dollars (US$ 711) for 16GB, 1,179 NZ dollars (US$ 839) for 32GB and 1,349 NZ dollars (US$ 960) for 64GB.

Users could browse the web, read and send email, watch HD videos, listen to music, play games and read e-books.

The tablet is thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook, Apple said.

More than 1 million Wi-Fi iPads had been sold in the US, before the Wi-Fi + 3G version was launched, Apple said. (PNA/BERNAMA)