Apple Prepares iPad For International Launch

The iPad is scheduled to go on sale in numerous countries, including Australia, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, and Switzerland. Apple customers in those markets can pre-order their iPad starting May 10, and the devices officially go on sale May 28.

Apple will also expand the iPad to Austria, Belgium, Hong Kong, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand and Singapore some time in July.

The international launch was initially slated for the end of April, but was postponed after what Apple said was higher-than-expected demand, according to Reuters.

Much like Apple's iPhone or iPod Touch, the iPad allows users to access a host of applications and games with a 9.7-inch touchscreen, as well as enabling them to view videos and photos, read e-books, browse the Web and check e-mail.

Sales of Apple's iPad have skyrocketed since the device was released in the U.S. April 3, whizzing past the one million mark just 28 days after it first went on the market. "Demand continues to exceed supply and we're working hard to get this magical product into the hands of even more customers," said Apple CEO Steve Jobs, in a statement Monday.

The iPad is in short supply and Apple Stores around the country are scrambling to keep their shelves stocked with the device. On Friday, numerous Apple Stores, including ones in Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and San Francisco, said they have already run out of the 3G iPad models, according to Business Week.

However, Apple said that customers could add their names to a waiting list, should more devices become available.