Orcon picks up iPad, Apple reassures on demand delays

Orcon has announced it will be the first telco in New Zealand to sell the iPad, as Apple comes out to reassure customers that it will be able to fill demand quickly.

The company said yesterday that it would ship any of the six iPad models within 24 hours of an order being placed in its US online store.

People have snapped up millions of iPads since the gadgets launched in the United States and wait times for the devices at times stretched into weeks.

The shortened wait has prompted debate over whether Apple's beefed-up production was paying off or if demand for iPads was waning.

Apple could provide some perspective on iPad sales during a special event to take place in San Francisco on Wednesday, local time, but the California company's iPod line is expected to be the main focus of the gathering.

The iPad went on sale in the United States on April 3 and Apple sold more than three million in 80 days.

It hit New Zealand on July 23 and has, until today, only been available through Apple resellers. It was not, as expected, released through Vodafone stores in line with the company's iPhone deal.

Orcon is only selling the Wi-Fi + 3G version of the iPad, with the 32GB version selling for $1179 and the 64GB for $1349. Data plans start at $19.95 per month for 500MB of mobile data.

- AFP / NZ HERALD STAFF