March release date for Apple's iPad

Apple iPads will be released internationally at the end of March, but there was no word yesterday on whether the devices would run on any of the New Zealand mobile networks.

The Apple iPhone can run on both the Vodafone and Telecom networks although the phones are sold through Vodafone.

Vodafone external communications manager Paul Brislen said from Auckland he hoped the iPads would be on the Vodafone network, but there was no word yet.

It could be June before the devices were available in New Zealand.

"They are absolutely gorgeous. It's the first Apple product I will buy," he said.

Apple chief executive Steve Jobs launched the much-anticipated iPad in the United States yesterday.

The iPad created and defined an entirely new category of devices that would connect users with their applications and content in a much more intimate and fun way than ever before, he said.

The device featured 12 next-generation multi-touch applications.

Each one worked in both portrait and landscape, automatically animating between views as the user rotated the iPad in any direction.

But as the technology world was coming to grips with the new device, analysts were already questioning its worth and believed it was aimed more at Amazon's Kindle device than any other one on the market.

Users of iPad can play music, watch videos and surf the internet as well as send emails and run other office applications.

But Apple is also trying to break into the e-book market with the device.

The company launched a new online bookstore through which users can purchase and download books to the device.

That is in direct competition to Kindle which downloads best-selling titles straight from Amazon.com.

The prices of the iPad surprised commentators which had forecast it would retail for $US1000 ($NZ1408), or more.

However, the iPad will start at $US499 for a 16GB device, $US599 for a 32GB device and $US699 for a 64GB device.

International pricing will be released in March.

Analysts said Mr Jobs was intent on getting the devices into the hands of as many users as possible.

dene.mackenzie@odt.co.nz

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