29 March 2010 | Author: D. Warburton Search Copywriter

Apple runs out of iPads before launch

Dedicated Apple fans who are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their pre-ordered iPad may have to wait a little longer than expected, as the company revealed it has run out of stock for its 3 April launch date.

Around 130,000 iPads are estimated to have been pre-ordered ahead of the high profile launch, causing the Guardian to speculate that Apple's crowd-sourced marketing campaign for its new product "might have just been a little too successful."

Apple's online store is announcing that the product is currently sold out, meaning that only those who were prudent enough to order theirs before 27 March can look forward to receiving it on Saturday - the rest will have to wait more than a week, with the next batch of iPads set to ship on 12 April. This doesn't affect Apple fans in the UK of course, who still have to wait patiently twiddling their thumbs until the end of next month to receive their new gadget.

Since announcing its new tablet computer at the end of January, Apple has sparked a new trend that competitors such as Google are keen to be a part of. Research from the NPD Group suggests that Apple's brand loyalty may see it trumping all competitors however, with 37 per cent of Apple owners who expressed interest in owning an iPad citing this as a major reason, along with its touchscreen.

Apple is also said to be working on a new mobile advertising system for its tablet, which Mobile Entertainment News reports is rumoured to be called the 'iAd.' Although no details have been revealed at present, CEO Steve Jobs is quoted as calling the service "revolutionary" and "our next big thing", with an official announcement expected on 7 April.

Whether or not the iPad manages to live up to its hype remains to be seen, but for sheer anticipation the company is certainly a winner - Apple's stock has risen by 10 per cent since the product was announced, bringing its market value almost to the heights of Microsoft.

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