Long Lines in Europe & Asia to Buy Apple's iPad

Technophiles mobbed Apple Stores in Europe and Asia on Friday in a quest to snatch up the hottest gadget of the moment — the Apple iPad.

Long lines snaked down streets in London, Paris, Frankfurt and Tokyo as eager buyers vied to wield their credit cards. Screams and cheers rose from the crowd in central London as students, professionals and self-proclaimed computer geeks clutched boxes containing the slim black device.

"If I was a music fan, it would be like the launch of a Lady GaGa album in the U.S.," said comedian Stephen Fry, known in Britain as a champion Tweeter.

Apple Inc., based in Cupertino, California, said earlier this month that it had sold 1 million of the devices in the United States in 28 days. The company started taking orders for the iPad abroad on May 10 after pushing back its international delivery target amid extreme demand at home.

In Britain, prices for the iPad range from 429 pounds to 699 pounds ($624 to $1,017).

But the rollout has not been without its problems. A string of suicides at a Chinese factory that churns out iPads and other high-tech items has raised concerns about conditions for workers who face tremendous time pressures and harsh discipline for mistakes.

In response, Apple issued a statement expressing commitment to ensuring that conditions "throughout our supply chain are safe and workers are treated with respect and dignity."

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Long Lines in Europe & Asia to Buy Apple's iPad

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Mercedes-Benz Financial Expands Mobile Strategy With the Apple iPad

Mercedes-Benz Financial, which has received more than $5 million in lease and loan payments from customers via their mobile phone devices since becoming the first auto finance company to establish that payment channel late last year, is now taking its mobile strategy to the showroom floor to benefit dealers and customers.

According to a report from Mercedes-Benz Financial yesterday, they will be putting the Apple iPad into the hands of its dealers, becoming the first automotive finance company to give dealers mobile access to its proprietary point-of-sale dealer system called MB Advantage. In doing so, Mercedes-Benz Financial is one of the first companies to adapt the consumer-oriented iPad as a mobile business tool.

MB Advantage on the iPad will give dealership sales personnel instant access to marketing programs for specific models, quicker turn time on the credit application process, and increase speed and efficiency on the return of lease vehicles.

"We see the iPad providing wireless mobility, information and flexibility on the showroom floor," said Andreas Hinrichs, Vice President of Marketing for Mercedes-Benz Financial. "The iPad will provide a competitive advantage to our dealers by increasing their service levels through a more flexible financing process."

Hinrichs said the size and versatility of the iPad makes it compatible to access MB Advantage via the mobile device and to take the dealer system from the finance & leasing office to the showroom floor.

Mercedes-Benz Financial will distribute iPads to 40 selected dealers throughout the United States to test iPad as a business tool. The company will monitor iPad usage and collect feedback from dealers and field sales staff over the summer.

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Mercedes-Benz Financial Expands Mobile Strategy With the Apple iPad

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Features of the Apple iPad Case

Details:

• Soft microfiber interior
• Reinforced panels for structure
• Lightweight enough to carry anywhere
• Folds horizontally or vertically to hold iPad at an angle for viewing video or typing on the onscreen keyboard
• Holes for headphone jack, dock connector port, and on/off and volume buttons

With a soft microfiber interior and reinforced panels to provide structure, the iPad Case is the perfect way to carry around your iPad. And it does double duty. It folds in just the right places to act as a stand that holds iPad at an ideal angle for watching videos and slideshows or for typing on the onscreen keyboard.

Purchase: Apple iPad Case [Price: $69.69]

Features of the Apple iPad Case

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iPad vs. Kindle: 3 Key Differences

One thing is for certain about Apple, that they're one of the most innovative companies on the planet. You can be sure that every Apple device will contain features that you've probably never seen before, and this remains true to all new products from Apple. Even if the technology for each device has been created by another company, they always find a way to improve on the original invention. A perfect example of this is when they released the iPod during the time when other MP3 manufactures were releasing their products and blew them completely out of the water. They've also done this more recently against rival mobile phone manufacturers with the very popular iPhone.

Now they are aiming to try it once again with the iPad. Although their intent for the iPad is to be more of a general purpose computing device, there is no denying that one of their main targets is the Amazon's Kindle. There are a multitude of differences between the two products, but let's note the key differences and see how they stack up against each other.

Touch Screen functionality - Even though both screens are roughly the same size, the iPad has a touch screen functionality that is sure to please the users of the device. Since most of the early adopters of the platform will be former iPhone users, a similar interface is a huge advantage. And consumers who are not using an iPhone now will surely be more impressed by the touch features than the normal hard button navigation presented by the Kindle.

Device Functionality - The Kindle was meant to be an ebook reader and nothing more. They focused on giving people a similar experience to when they would sit down and read a paperback book. The iPad is going to try and give those same users something more. Apple wants to give them the same ebook functionality, but wrap it in a device that will function as a mini computer as well.

Color Screen - The Kindle is in black and white. The iPad is in color. That advantage definitely goes to the iPad. Since most people are used to color devices, I would have to say that the iPad will be looked upon more favorably by the average user. While the kindle creators claimed that they decided to go with a black and white screen so that users could feel as if they were reading a real book, people are going to see the kindle side by side with the iPad and ultimately choose the color device.

These are three key differences between the iPad and the Kindle. All of these factors will make a huge difference in someone who is deciding which device that they want.

[via iPad Covers Blog]

iPad vs. Kindle: 3 Key Differences

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1-in-5 U.S. consumers plan to buy Apple's iPad

Positive press and word of mouth from very satisfied owners has convinced one-in-five U.S. consumers to buy an Apple iPad, a survey published today said.

In a poll of nearly 3,400 consumers, ChangeWave Research found that 7% are "very likely," and 13% "somewhat likely" to buy an iPad at some point. Those numbers, noted Paul Carton, ChangeWave's research director, are significantly higher than the 4% and 9% who answered the same way in a February survey taken after Apple CEO Steve Jobs had unveiled the media tablet, but before it went on sale in early April.

While 19% of those who plan to purchase an iPad said that they would do so in the next 90 days, the majority of consumers who want an Apple tablet will buy one in six months or more. And that has to make Apple happy this holiday season.

"Apple's going to have an iPad holiday," said Carton. "We'll see a holiday spending wave on the iPad."

Of the consumers who said they plan to buy an iPad, 24% said they would do so in 6 to 12 months, with another 24% saying they would pull the buying trigger in 12 to 24 months.

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1-in-5 U.S. consumers plan to buy Apple's iPad

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Apple iPad: Confirmed Success Already?

"One million iPads in 28 days--that's less than half of the 74 days it took to achieve this milestone with iPhone," said Apple CEO Steve Jobs on May 3, only three days after the 3G version had hit the market.

It may be too soon to call the iPad a "game-changing" tech success story, but the reality of that coming true gets closer by the week. With soaring sales, huge gains as an e-reader, deep cuts into a flourishing netbook market, and sky-high customer satisfaction rates, living up to all the pre-launch hype has been the biggest challenge for the iPad.

According to RBC Capital Markets, the iPad is currently selling approximately 200,000 units per week. The high demand and extreme popularity of the device has pushed it to the number two position in Apple sales, ahead of Mac sales at about 110,000 units sold per week, and just below iPhone sales which are still going strong at a rate of 246,000 units sold per week.

Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster recently checked in with 50 U.S. Apple retail stores and found that the iPad had sold out or is in limited supply at many of them, reports AllThingsD. Various other analyst's are predicting a range of five million to six million iPad units sold to be sold in its first year alone. [via PCWorld.com]

Apple iPad: Confirmed Success Already?

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Top iPad Weather Apps

Unlike the iPhone and iPod touch, the iPad doesn’t come with its own weather app. Fortunately, third-party developers are ready to fill the gap, offering a number of weather-focused offerings for your downloading pleasure. But which one deserves your attention—and your dollars? Macworld author Jeff Merron took a look at a handful of iPad weather apps, and discovered that one in particular stood out from the rest.

WeatherBug Elite
WeatherBug Elite for iPad employs the power of the WeatherBug network (the world's largest weather network) to provide iPad users with the latest weather information including local current conditions, extended forecast, severe weather alerts, animated Doppler radar, live weather camera images and much more! Available free for a limited time.

Uniquely designed for the iPad interface, WeatherBug Elite for iPad enables users to truly personalize their own weather experience.

Download WeatherBug Elite

AccuWeather
The only weather application you'll ever need for your iPad! Get detailed current conditions, a 15-day forecast, hourly weather details, radar, AccuWeather's exclusive lifestyle forecasts, and weather videos. There are two versions, one is brought to you at no charge with ad support, and for just $0.99 you can choose an ad-free version.

Download AccuWeather

The Weather Channel Max
The Weather Channel Max for iPad is brought to you at no charge, courtesy of Toyota. It delivers in-depth weather, innovative maps, a robust video library, customizable weather maps, in-motion radar, local, regional and national forecast video, storm footage, real-time twitter feeds from popular TWC on-air personalities, and local traffic cams in select cities.

Download The Weather Channel Max

Top iPad Weather Apps

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The Solid Gold iPad Supreme Edition by Katherine Hughes

For the most elite individual, here is the world's first solid gold and diamond Apple iPad. Encrusted with 25.5cts of ‘I'F' Flawless diamonds, a magnificent total of 53 individually set sparkling gems dwell beautifully in their solid 22ct Apple logo. The rear and screen surround are made from a single piece of solid 22ct gold, weighing an immense 2,100 grams. This most luxurious iPad appearance is outstanding even down to the precise polishing to reveal its most beautiful harmonious appearance. A magnificent combination of top of the industry technology and unrivaled craftsmanship was involved in creating this masterpiece.

The solid Gold iPad is available in the 64GB Wi-Fi + 3G version, and with a limited edition of only 10 units to be made, this unit is set at a very steep price of £129,995.00. More luxury designs of this product can be seen at http://www.goldstriker.co.uk.

The Solid Gold iPad Supreme Edition by Katherine Hughes

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Apple iPad: The Best Way to Experience the Web, Email, Photos, and Video

The best way to experience the web, email, photos, and video.
Page through websites, write an email, flick through photos, or watch a movie with just the touch of a finger.

A design that’s thin, light, and brilliant.
iPad has a 9.7-inch, high-resolution LED-backlit IPS display and incredible Multi-Touch capability. Yet it’s thin and light enough to take anywhere.

Thousands of apps made just for iPad. With more coming every day.
Right now you can discover over a thousand apps on the App Store made just for iPad — with more coming every day. And if that’s not enough, you can also run almost 150,000 iPhone apps.

Introducing iBooks. A new way to read and buy books.
Download the free iBooks app from the App Store. More than a great ebook reader, it’s also an amazing place to browse and shop for books.


Technical Support and the iPad Warranty
Every iPad comes with complimentary telephone technical support within 90 days of your iPad purchase. In addition, your iPad, its rechargeable battery, and all included accessories are covered against defects for one year from the original purchase date by a limited hardware warranty.

Purchase:

• Apple iPad 16GB Wi-Fi
• Apple iPad 16GB Wi-Fi + 3G
• Apple iPad 32GB Wi-Fi
• Apple iPad 32GB Wi-Fi + 3G
• Apple iPad 64GB Wi-Fi
• Apple iPad 64GB Wi-Fi + 3G

Apple iPad: The Best Way to Experience the Web, Email, Photos, and Video

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