Following the US launch of the iPad last Saturday, rumours are now circulating the web that Apple"s tablet device could hit some international markets in as little as three weeks time. Reports suggest that Canada, the UK and much of Europe could be able to get hold of an iPad from Saturday April 24, in keeping with the "late April" date given by Apple.
Staff at Apple retail stores in Canada, the UK and Europe have been told they are not allowed to take time off on April 24 and extra staff have been asked to work on that day, according to various sources. Bitterwallet even claims that they have heard from an Apple employee who "explicitly claims the date is correct."
Apple originally gave late April as the launch date for Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK, and said that both the WiFi and 3G models would be available at this time. This suggests that the 3G models will launch in the US on the same date as the international launch.
The Saturday date would seem to fit as the US launch was also on a Saturday and gives the product more consumer exposure than a weekday launch. If the date is correct, then expect to be able to pre-order your iPad on the Apple website sometime soon. An announcement about the availability and pricing could be made at the iPhone OS event scheduled for tomorrow.
Image credit: Grant_Robertson on Flickr