Apple sells 2m iPads in less than two months

31 May 2010

Apple CEO Steve Jobs’ gamble has paid off and the tablet computer is established. The company reported today that sales of the new form factor have topped 2 million in less than 60 days of its launch in early April.

Since Friday, Apple has expanded beyond the US and has begun shipping the iPad in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK.

The iPad will be available in nine more countries – including Ireland – in July, and additional countries later this year.

“Customers around the world are experiencing the magic of iPad, and seem to be loving it as much as we do,” said Jobs.

“We appreciate their patience, and are working hard to build enough iPads for everyone,” Jobs said.

iPad allows users to connect with their apps, content and the internet in a more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before. Users can browse the web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch HD videos, listen to music, play games, read e-books and much more, all using iPad’s revolutionary Multi-Touch user interface. iPad is 0.5 inches thick and weighs just 1.5 pounds — thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook — and delivers up to 10 hours of battery life.

Developers have created more than 5,000 exciting new apps for iPad that take advantage of its Multi-Touch user interface, large screen and high-quality graphics.

iPad will run almost all of the more than 200,000 apps on the App Store, including apps already purchased for the iPhone or iPod touch.

By John Kennedy

Photo: The Apple iPad

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com