News

iPad hits international Apple Stores, Fry shows up, police manage crowds

At last

iPad hits international Apple Stores, Fry shows up, police manage crowds
|

Well, it's here. After two months of watching our American cousins play with their iPads - the second month of that being a delay caused by the sheer volume in which they snapped them up - we in the UK can finally stroll into an Apple Store and buy one.

BBC News reports that there was a 'carnival' atmosphere at the London Regent Street branch this morning, where the following spectacles could be observed:
  • The world's tallest married couple, there to promote the Guinness World Records iPad app.
  • 17-year-old Jake Lee, who had waited outside the store since noon on Thursday.
  • Stephen Fry, who already had one but showed up to buy a 3G model.

Customer Barry Church stumbled out of the store clutching his iPad and summed up the phenomenon of Apple fanboyism succinctly: "I've never used one but I had to have one."

The iPad comes in 3G or wi-fi-only flavours, and with 16, 32, or 64GB storage. The cheapest model 16GB wi-fi - is GBP 429, and the most expensive 64GB 3G is GBP 699.

If you plump for a 3G model, you'll also need to set yourself up with a tariff. Vodafone, 02, Three, and Orange are currently offering 3G tariffs. Click here to get a full iPad data price comparison.

And click here for a full iPad guide.

BBC News
Rob Hearn
Rob Hearn
Having obtained a distinguished education, Rob became Steel Media's managing editor, now he's no longer here though.