Apple's iPad reaching U.S. stores on April 3

Amidst rumors of production delays and snafus, Apple announced the WiFi versions of its iPad tablet device will be available to U.S. consumers on April 3, with their WiFi/3G counterparts to follow at the end of the month. The 16GB WiFi model will retail for $499, with the 32GB model priced at $599 and the 64GB edition available for $699; the 16GB Wi-Fi + 3G model will arrive with a suggested retail price of $629 for 16GB, compared to $729 for the 32GB model and $829 for the 64GB edition. All iPad units will be sold in the U.S. through the Apple Store online, Apple's brick-and-mortar stores and select authorized resellers. Shoppers can begin pre-ordering all models from Apple's online store on March 12, or reserve a WiFi model for in-store pickup in early April. Apple adds that all iPad models will be available in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the U.K. in late April.

Apple adds that its iBooks app for iPad, which includes its new iBookstore, will be available as a free download from the App Store in the U.S. on April 3, with additional countries added later this year. The iBookstore will feature titles from the New York Times Best Seller list, with selections from both major and independent publishers including Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins Publishers, Macmillan Publishers, Penguin Group and Simon & Schuster. The iPad will also offer access to Apple's iTunes Store and App Store, enabling consumers to browse a content catalog boasting over 12 million songs, more than 55,000 TV episodes and over 8,500 films as well as some 142,000 iPhone OS-based applications.

Apple first confirmed the iPad's release in late January. The 9.7-inch touchscreen device promises a user experience optimized for the web, messaging, multimedia, games and ebooks, and ships with 12 new apps designed especially for the product. Despite growing consumer enthusiasm, many pundits have criticized the iPad, taking issue with its absence of Flash multimedia support as well as its lack of camera and multi-tasking capabilities.

For more on the iPad's retail launch:
- read this release

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