By Paul Hayes
SYDNEY, NSW: After a series of delays, false starts and dramatically inflated online sales, the Apple iPad is officially on the Australian market.
With the tablet device going on sale at 8:00 am this morning, customers have been queuing for hours at Apple’s flagship store on George Street and its new Bondi Junction store, which the company scrambled overnight to finish in time to open its doors for this morning’s release.
The Australian release of the iPad was delayed by more than a month after stronger than expected demand in the US, where it has been on sale since early April.
With local demand for the iPad at fever pitch, there have been reports that many Australian customers who pre-ordered the device will have to wait until next week to get their hands on it as couriers struggle to keep up with demand.
But the company charged with the deliveries, TNT Express, told Current.com.au that it’s business as usual with the iPad.
“As far as we’re concerned everything is working quite well,” said TNT general manager of marketing and communications, Adrian Castorina.
With a well known history for secrecy and unique marketing methods, Apple further added to the release hype by initially naming only its seven official Australian retailers as outlets selling the iPad.
According to News Limited reports, while the iPad will be available in stores all across the country, Apple refused to name the alternative stores until its own stores had opened this morning.