Apple iPad finally goes on sale in Republic

THE MUCH-COVETED Apple iPad is finally coming to Irish shops this Friday.

Before now, Apple fans had been forced to trek across the Border to buy the device in Northern Ireland, or buy it from sources in the US.

The touch-screen tablet computer, which was unveiled by Apple chief executive Steve Jobs in January, can access the internet over wireless and mobile networks. It runs the same software as the iPhone, but has a larger screen and superior capabilities.

Prices for the device will begin at €499 through the Apple store and authorised Apple resellers.

It will also be available in Austria, Belgium, Hong Kong, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Singapore from Friday.

The iPad is designed for browsing the internet, watching films and reading e-books. It also allows users to send and receive e-mail and play games.

At its unveiling at the beginning of the year, Mr Jobs described the iPad as a “magical and revolutionary product” and said it created and defined an entirely new category of devices.

The device has certainly proved popular with consumers, who greeted it with substantial pre-orders and queues outside stores in order to be the first to get their hands on it.

Apple has sold more than three million iPads worldwide since its introduction on April 3rd. Within 28 days the company had shipped more than one million of the devices.

The iPad is available in three capacities – 16GB, 32GB and 64GB – and is available in models that have Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi and 3G. The 16GB entry-level model with wireless internet access will cost €499, with prices ranging up to €799 for the 64GB model .