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.

Bill Nguyen launches 'Color', a new cellphone-based social network

By: Aseem Gaurav, March 26, 2011 (New Delhi)

There is a new buzz in the tech blogsphere and it is called "Color" which is a new cellphone-based social network. The app is brainchild of a well-known Silicon Valley entrepreneur Bill Nguyen.

Color mobile app enables mobile users to “to capture photos, videos and conversations into a group album." This innovative app allows users to share photos with other users (single or multiple) within close vicinity (around 150 feet). The mobile app has already got its share of popularity in the quake-hit Japan where people are using the app to share photos of the devastated areas with rescue workers.

The app is available for both iPhones and Androirds.

Color, a free service which doesn’t involve the usage of any user names or passwords, is extremely useful especially if you’re attending some sporting event, some marriage function or any such event that involves a large gathering of people.

Mobile consumers can use this app to create a big catalog of photos as a number of people would be involved in taking photos, making videos and sending text messages. Moreover, two different and unknown users in a restaurant/bar can start sharing photos with each other; an idea that could spark a friendship with one commenting on or liking the other’s photo.

According to Color founder Bill Nguyen, the app is not just about photo sharing but it is a new way to create spontaneous social networks. He says the potential in such an application is immense as it allows user to share their activities, without gathering any personal information such as name, password and address.

“The simple idea behind it to let people to know other people around them,” he says.

Bill Nguyen is a well known entrepreneur who sold streaming music firm Lala to Apple in 2009 for cool $80 million.

Nguyen is looking at creating a Post-PC experience like never before. Given that widely popular social networks like Facebook are letting most of the people hooked to the PC and spending great amount of time, it will be interesting to see how the popularity of Color rises with time.