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Mar. 30, 2010

Many wireless industry analysts are now expecting long waiting lines at Apple and Best Buy retail stores on April 3rd, the day that Apple is launching its new iPad.

Overall interest in the iPad has been increasing rapidly since Apple announced it on Jan. 28. and now there are some that can't wait to get their hands on it Saturday.

The company says its new iPad device will be available in all 221 Apple retail stores in the U.S. and most Best Buy stores this Saturday beginning at 9 a.m.

Apple retail stores will offer a free personal setup service to every customer who buys an iPad at the store, helping them customize their new unit by setting up their e-mail, loading their favorite apps from the Apple App Store and more.

Additionally, starting Saturday morning, all U.S. Apple retail stores will host special iPad workshops to help users learn more about their new devices.

A Best Buy sales rep in Manhattan said that while the store isn't suggesting that people line up early, he did expect long waiting lines to get into the store.

He declined to comment on wait times or available inventory, however. But he did say that available stock will be somewhat limited.

Looking very similar to an extra-large version of an iPhone, Apple's new iPad device features an updated version of the iPhone's operating system working through an impressive 9.7-inch touchscreen, powered by an Apple-developed 1 GHz CPU. Real cool.

The new MID (mobile Internet device) follows the lead of the iPhone sporting 3G and 4G network capabilities that are compatible with 850/1900/2100 MHz networks using GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS/HSPA technology.

This means that domestic support for AT&T Mobility's network is already enabled. Apple did note however that iPad models shipping with 3G support would be unlocked allowing customers to swap out SIM cards for different wireless carriers if they wish to do so, but for U.S. customers the technology support leaves AT&T Mobility as the only real option for now.

The overall reliance on the same wireless technology as the current iPhone 3G S could be seen as a disappointment to some users that were looking to break out of their current network issues at the hands of AT&T Mobility's already overburdened 3G network.

AT&T has repeatedly said it was upgrading its 3G capabilities to handle the increased load being placed on it by the iPhone and other data hungry smartphones, but the wireless carrier's network still isn't fully upgraded to 3G yet, but the company assures us it will be by mid-February.

"The iPad connects users with their apps and content in a far more intimate and fun way than ever before. We can't wait for users to get their hands and fingers on it this weekend," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO, in a statement.

The iPad will be available in Wi-Fi models Saturday in the U.S. for a suggested retail price of $499 for 16 GB, $599 for 32 GB and $699 for 64 GB.

The Wi-Fi + 3G models, with exclusive Internet connectivity only through AT&T, will be available in late April for a suggested retail price of $629 for 16 GB, $729 for 32 GB and $829 for 64 GB.

Apple began taking pre-orders for the iPad on March 12, promising to get the device to eager buyers by its store launch date of April 3rd.

iPad customers who placed pre-orders by March 27 will receive the device by that date, where Saturday delivery is available, but Apple said on Sunday that new pre-orders won't be shipped out until April 12, however.

Two years ago, it was the iPhone. Now Apple is doing it again with its new iPad. When Apple announced the launch of the iPad in late January, some skeptics made fun of its name. It looks now that Apple will have the last laugh, by laughing all the way to the bank with its new iPad device.

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Source: Apple.