Infinite Path

The highly-anticipated iPad went on sale in the US on Saturday and makers Apple claim that it shifted 300,000 units on its first day in the shops.

The figure includes sales based on pre-order and can be compared favourably to the sales generated by the iPhone on its opening weekend back in July 2007, with that total reaching 525,000. However, the queues outside the stores were not as long this time around, with 500 people waiting outside the Apple store in Manhattan when it opened at 9am. A few dedicated souls had waited overnight, though, with the AFP agency reporting 15 people waiting as early as Friday afternoon. Smaller crowds of up to 30 people were seen waiting in Palo Alto, California.

Apple shares closed at a record high of $238.49 on Monday as the news pushed up the price by 1.1%. Apple is banking on there being a big market between the mobile smart phone and the laptop, although many industry insiders believe that it will only cater to a niche market. Microsoft tried to release a tablet computer back in 2001 but it failed to make a real impression. However, advances in touchscreen and wireless technology have since been made and this has given cause for Apple to be optimistic.

The reputation of tablet devices has been somewhat tarnished and industry insiders believe that Apple will need to prove why the device exists. However, by combining its popular apps, including iTunes, and adding new features including the iBook store and productivity, many analysts believe that the iPad will be a successful product and could exceed expectations.

Apple are clearly hoping to do for the tablet device market what they did to the music market with the iPod. Here, they didn’t create a new market; they redefined an existing one and consequently made the iPod the must-have technology of 2007-08. The feeling now is that if they can do the same with the iPad, other companies will follow suit, allowing the market really to take off.

The iPad is to be released in Europe at the end of April although, as yet, prices are yet to be determined. In the US, they currently cost between $499 and $829 and there is high anticipation ahead of the tablet computer going on sale over here. Apple have also stated that over a million downloads for the iPad have already occurred on its app store, whilst more than 250,000 electronic books have also been bought.

The iPad has been described by Apple chief executive Steve Jobs as a “game changer” as it adopts touch screen technology as its predominant feature. At the moment, it has wi-fi but not 3G connectivity, although a second generation product is expected to be released.