Apple takes pre-orders for April 3 iPad launch

Posted: 3:05 pm Fri, March 12, 2010
By Associated Press

CUPERTINO, Calif. (AP) — Apple is accepting pre-orders for the iPad, its new touch-screen gadget for reading books, watching video and surfing the Web.

IPads with Wi-Fi wireless connections will go on sale on April 3 for $499 and up. Apple Inc. says people can pre-order online and get it on April 3 where Saturday delivery is available.

Shoppers can also reserve an iPad online, then pay for it and pick it up at a local Apple store. Apple has three retail locations — Columbia, Towson and Annapolis — in Greater Baltimore.

Apple says versions of the iPad with cellular data connections and Wi-Fi will go on sale at the end of April.

Apple had also taken orders for the latest version of its iPhone, the 3GS, released in June, though many consumers lined up overnight anyhow to be among the first buyers.