Interactive iPad 2 replaces cardboard placeholders in an Australian store

By: Aseem Gaurav on May 22, 2011

Apple gave a new look to its stores in Down Under by replacing traditional cardboard placeholders with  super-interactive iPad 2s for easy viewing of the customers.

The store’s makeover comes at a time when the Cupertino-based company is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the opening of the first Apple Retail store.

The Australian stores, which have undergone a number of changes overnight, now use the iPads to view features of a product, for comparison between models and allowing users to call over a staff member for assistance.

                                                      Photo credit: Mac Prices

However, there’s been no official word from Apple yet about the upgrades to their stores.

iPad 2 completely sold out in many locations worldwide

By: Aseem Gaurav, March 29, 2011 (New Delhi)

You heard it right. Apple’s highly coveted tablet, the iPad 2, which went on sale in 25 countries on March 25 appears to be selling faster than freshly baked pancakes. Adding to the news that iPad 2 was quickly gone out of stock in London, now there are reports that the tablet is already sold out in countries like Germany, France, Canada and Spain.

In London, supplies were all sold out on March 26 at the Apple stores in Regent Street and Covent Garden, just one day after it went on sale.

Though there was no confirmation from Apple, but the company recently said: "The demand for the next generation iPad 2 has been amazing. We are working hard to get iPad 2 into the hands of every customer who wants one as quickly as possible."

A report published in the Telegraph UK said they were not able to find a retail location with an iPad 2 in stock.

On the other hand, many shoppers blame Apple for not anticipating the demand and thus turning away many fans empty handed – some who had queued for over 50 hours to get the device.

But then there is some sound piece of advice from retail store employees who recommend that iPad fans reserve the device online so they can pick it up in-store when it becomes available.

As the recent quake in Japan begins to affect Apple’s supply of components, the supply shortages of iPad 2 devices are expected to deepen further.

"While competitors are still struggling to catch up with our first iPad, we've changed the game again with iPad 2," Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO, has earlier said. "We're experiencing amazing demand for iPad 2 in the U.S., and customers around the world have told us they can't wait to get their hands on it. We appreciate everyone's patience and we are working hard to build enough iPads for everyone."

The massive success of iPad 2 has prompted many rival manufacturers to capitalize on the growing demand for computer tablets by offering their own. Samsung Electronics Corp. launched the Galaxy Tab in Canada last November, Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. will bring its Xoom tablet to Canadians in early April and Canada’s own Research In Motion Ltd. will begin selling its BlackBerry PlayBook tablet to Canadians on April 19. There will be more than 50 iPad rivals expected to hit store shelves this year.

In Asia, the iPad 2 will be officially available in Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore and many other countries in April, with sales delayed in Japan.

Thousands go iMad for Apple's iPad2: What consumers have to say

By: Aseem Gaurav, March 28, 2011 (New Delhi)

Apple's iPad 2 has had a blockbuster launch across the world last week, with the flagship stores running out of the next generation iPad within 24 hours. Hundreds were queuing through the night to get their hands on Apple's 'Jesus tablet' - the iPad 2. Lines had formed in cities including London, Toronto and Luxembourg.

iPadfanzz looks at what end-users are saying about their wait and finally owning an iPad 2.

Finance executive Jewels Lewis based in West London, who waited for 33 hours, said: "There's no medal for fourth. This year I got the gold."

Geoff Goddard said he drove past the store on March 25 and decided against waiting in line, but read on a blog about shorter waits Saturday and decided it was worth it.

“I was looking forward to using the device. A short wait was worth it for a "very good" product,” said Ying Wong.

"If it wasn't for the iPad, I wouldn't be in Australia right now," said Lee, who had already bought an iPad 2 in the US. "It's like a habit. I've also lined up on Regent Street in London for the iPhone."

Canadian backpacker Alex Lee, a veteran of Apple product launches, was the first to claim his iPad 2 at the Apple store in Sydney, where he had been in line for two nights.

So were you one of the lucky few to pick up your iPad 2 before stocks depleted? If so let us know.

iPad 2 most expensive in Denmark, cheapest in US‎

By: Aseem Gaurav, March 28, 2011 (New Delhi)

Apple Inc on March 25 lunched its newer version of iPad across 25 countries. Eager fans arrived in their droves and queued for hours through the sun. And the first lucky few have emerged from high-street stores clutching their prized versions of enormously successful iPad 2.

But with six different models, it can be hard to keep track of what's available with the iPad 2 and what it costs around the world. To solve this problem, iPadfanzz gives you a comparative analysis of prices of iPad across various countries.

But first doing a comparative analyst let’s take a look at the prices of the six versions of the iPad 2 in the US. They are $499, $599, $699 (Wi-Fi Only) and $629, $729, $829 (3G version). In the US, the $499 iPad with tax has a maximum price of $567 and an average price of $547.

Not surprisingly, it is cheaper in Britain than in continental Europe, selling for 399 pounds ($642). Throughout Europe, the iPad 2 costs 479 euros, or $678 in most countries. It's slightly more expensive in France, where it costs at 489 euros, while residents of Luxembourg get a discount with 455 euros.

While the 16GB entry-level iPad 2 costs $499 in the US, that translates to $702 in Denmark.

Apple estimates to sell more than 40 million iPads this year.