eLifespaces

According to the release, the Wi-Fi models of the iPad will be available starting April 3, with the Wi-Fi and 3G models rolled out by late April. Starting on March 12, U.S. customers can pre-order the device. The device will be available in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK in late April. Pricing has remained the same, with the basic Wi-Fi enabled model starting at $499. Pricing is as follows: $499 for 16GB, $599 for 32GB, $699 for 64GB. Wi-Fi + 3G models will be available in late April for $629 for 16GB, $729 for 32GB and $829 for 64GB.

The iPad will debut with 12 apps specially designed for it including Apple's iBookstore, which isn't expected to be compatible with the other e-books already on the marketplace. In keeping with Steve Jobs' distaste for Adobe's Flash, that feature will be left out. Apple said most of the 150,000 applications available for its iPhone will also be available for the iPad - including our own eController and HTA (Home Theater Assistant) Apps.