In order to get the iPads to customers in time, the first bunch of WiFi iPad pre-orders that was scheduled for delivery on launch day has began shipping out of the warehouse at China yesterday via UPS. Although it’s shipped with UPS EXPRESS, customers won’t get their iPads before Saturday, or Monday in remote areas because Apple has asked UPS to hold your iPad until the official release date.
[Image via twitter.com/doktahahpah]
A tipster of TUAW has leaked several shots of the Best Buy sales playbook for the iPad. According to the internal memo, there will be a limited of 15 iPads (5 of each WiFi Models) shipped on April 2nd to one of the 670+ Best Buy stores that will be carrying the iPad on launch day. And these Best Buy locations are expected to receive another shipment of 15 iPads after the first for sale on the 11th.
The leaked shots also confirms that Best buy will not be offering the iPad online and that the physicals stores will be stocking up on the iPad accessories.
Check out the leaked sales playbook after the break.
With an estimated 120,000 iPad pre-orders on the first day alone, it wasn’t surprising to learn that Apple has sold out iPad reservations online. In addition to that, customers that are just now pre-ordering a Wi-Fi iPad won’t get theirs shipped until April 12th. WiFi iPad Pre-orders taken before today is still on scheduled to ship out on the 3rd and 3G versions late April.
I think we can expect long lines at the Apple Stores for the iPad Launch.
According to AP sources, Associated Press is working on an app for the iPad. Unlike the free AP Mobile app that iPhone users are enjoying now, the iPad version is reportedly to be a paid subscription news app, generating content from Associated Press and 1000 other media outlets. The development of the new app will be led by AP Gateway, a new business division at AP that focuses on mobile platforms such as the iPad.
“AP Gateway will serve as the launching pad for new products and services from AP and other interested news publishers,” Tom Curley, president and CEO of The Associated Press, said in a statement. “It will allow the news industry to deliver the news directly to the consumer in a variety of exciting new ways.”
There wasn’t a mention of when the news app hits or how much users will have to pay, although it may be initially free to strike up interest at the app.
“The AP already has drawn up plans to charge for an application designed for the iPad, a 1.5-pound tablet computer that Apple Inc. is scheduled to release at the end of March. The price of the application has yet to be determined, although it might start free, according to Jane Seagrave, a senior vice president who becomes the AP’s chief revenue officer Monday.
Much like the AP Mobile news product, the iPad app will show custom packages of headlines, stories, photos and video from the AP and from newspapers and broadcasters that choose to contribute their content and share the revenue. AP members also could use the same system to offer their own iPad apps that show their own content.”
