Apple iPad on sale 26 March, says staffer
Insiders get a sneak peek 16 days beforehand
Apple will begin selling the iPad - the Wi-Fi only version, mind - on 26 March, two weeks after its starts running ads for the gadget on TV.
So claims an unsurprisingly anonymous South California Apple Store manager who coughed up these details to an LA Examiner reporter.
The Apple staffer also said the company's retail workers will get a demo of the device at hands-on events planned for 10 March.
Apple still has yet to make public its UK iPad pricing plan, so we'd stress that these US dates may not be mirrored over here.
But you can expect the net to be flooded with sneak peek leaks in the days after the 10 March demo sessions.
That said, Apple has already said that the Wi-Fi only iPad will ship over here "late March", so the release, at least, should coincide. Especially if Apple marketing is anticipating on a healthy number of fanboys willing to camp outside the company's shops - a TV opportunity any other firm would pay handsomely for.
That, of course, is assuming we get it at all. ®
COMMENTS
Fair enough.
'No way I will be queing for one of these......'
Good boy.
'I will however work from home that day and pop down at opening time to get one.'
Well, there's a contradiction, if the fanbois are to be believed, you'll be queuing 'round the block.. Ah, wait, this is the iPad we're talking about? Nope, you're right, you won't need to queue for one.
'so I'm no fanboi yet'
But you're so excited you did a little squee?
Why?
He's a Windoze fanboi who can't believe that MS has missed the boat again and is fed up having his nose rubbed in it by friends who make better choices?
I'm sure you could guess.
I expect it's one or more of the following:
- Apple are EVIL because they're Apple
- they lock people in to everything
- *I* don't want one of their products, but they insist on still selling them and other people (who are clearly idiot fanbois) buy them
- Another manufacturer is rushing a similar product to market with a slightly lower price and slightly higher spec. Everyone should buy that instead, because it's better (or might be) at a couple of things that *I* do.
- Another manufacturer already has a product that can perform the same functions on paper. I haven't bought one myself, but I'm sure it's much better. Why would anyone other than an idiot fanboi buy the Apple one?
Did I get them all? Not sure if we'll find out.
It's odd, there are a great deal of products and services that I don't use, but I've never looked at one and said "I really wish that had never come to the UK", with the possible exception of Windows ME.
I hope...
That those guys who bought 360s and PS3s on release and smashed them up in front of the queues of hopefuls turn up and have a go at the iPad - simply because it would be hilarious.
On the downside, as it's just a big iPod touch we already know that it will blend - and quite nicely too!
It's all about the UK price
It's a toy, lets face - it's not business critical. And a "technically compromised" one at that. So, it falls under (my) "useless male toy" rules:
- £400+ - no way, too expensive
- £300 - Top end of being acceptable. It had better be bloody sensational when I try it out
- £200 - even wife might get one. But dream on, I suspect
Not worried about onboard storage etc - I have a series of specific functions it will perform. All of them leasure based, and indoors. So no 'taking-the-pISS' 3G version for me.
I just wish they'd hurry up and announce the damned prices, so I know if my "male toy" budget will be impacted.
Badgers..because i almost ran one over today.
