Fears iPad sales rush could delay Australian launch

With just over three weeks left until the end of April, Australians are still in the dark regarding any details of a local launch for the Apple iPad, despite the company promising a release before the month’s end.

There are also fears an Australian launch could be delayed, with one research firm suggesting Apple could face supply issues after selling 300,000 iPad units on its first day of availability in the US.

In January Apple announced a release date of Saturday, April 3 for US users, and also said an international release would follow in “late April”.

But while the company introduced an email list on its Australian website designed to warn users when pre-orders are available, no information has been sent out.

Last week, an Apple spokesperson said there are still “no dates beyond late April” that have been announced. This morning Apple gave the same answer.

However, it has been suggested that Apple’s supply may be running low, which could result in international users waiting some time before they get their hands on an iPad. Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster, who was among the first to predict an Apple tablet announcement, originally said the iPad would sell 5.6 million during the year. He has revised that figure to 4.3 million.

Additionally, he originally said the iPad would sell over 700,000 units on its first day. However, after Apple announced its official figures of 300,000 first-day sales, he revised his yearlong forecast.

Signs of a shortage have already appeared in the US. Customers who pre-ordered before last week were able to receive their devices on launch day, but new pre-orders will receive their gadgets after April 12. Similar results could be expected in Australia, gauging by last year’s launch of the iPhone 3GS.

The gadget was so popular carriers went without supply for weeks. Some users waited for months before they could buy a pre-ordered handset.

Gartner research analyst Robin Simpson told the AFR today that Apple is using its trademark method of keeping availability low during an initial launch, in order to keep demand high over the first few months.

“Apple is pretty good at creating controlled hysteria,” he said. “They’re good at stage-managing events, but it’s also a very practical business decision. They test the waters to see the true level of demand.”

But Australian developers have been crafty enough to get their hands on the hot new device.

Head of development studio MoGeneration Keith Ahern says his company is set to receive an iPad today, with two more tomorrow, despite the company already releasing an iPad app.

Bjango chief executive Marc Edwards says he is set to receive his either today or tomorrow, with a friend, MacTalk owner Anthony Agius, having gone to New York to buy 21 units for colleagues.

“I’d say iPads are available for those fortunate enough to have a path to get one. There’s certainly a few in the country right now,” he said.

Edwards also points out Australian users are able to download iPad apps despite not having the gadget. This could indicate Apple is gearing up for the international launch.