Apple Inc. said Monday it took just 28 days to hit the 1 million iPad sales mark, and that was even before the new 3G version went on sale.
“One million iPads in 28 days—that’s less than half of the 74 days it took to achieve this milestone with iPhone,” said Apple CEO Steve Jobs. “Demand continues to exceed supply and we’re working hard to get this magical product into the hands of even more customers.”
Apple says iPad users have downloaded more than 12 million apps for the 1.5 pound tablet computer, and that over 5,000 apps have been created for the iPad (the device can also run most of the 200,000-plus apps already on the App Store as well).
These numbers come on the heels of reports that Apple’s iPhone has become the top selling phone in the United States.
The initial iPad offered customers Wi-Fi Internet connectivity, and the new iPad 3G provides access via AT&T’s data network. IFixit tore open the 3G model over the weekend and revealed that device boasts 5 antennas.
Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster said he estimates Apple sold about 300,000 iPad 3Gs in its opening weekend of sales.
In addition to Apple’s latest numbers, other evidence that the iPad has gotten off to a fast start is the fact that malware purveyors have already begun trying to scam iPad enthusiasts into downloading their malicious code.
Apple also announced that iPad availability internationally would be delayed because of a shortage resulting from high demand in the United States.
In addition, rumors are swirling about what direction HP will take its Slate tablet plans in, perhaps in reaction to the iPad’s early success. Some reports say HP is ditching Windows 7 on the device and going with WebOS in light of its pending Palm buyout.
Separately, Microsoft has confirmed that its Courier tablet has been shelved, making it the latest entrant into 2010’s IT industry graveyard.
All eyes are on how rivals will take on Apple and the iPad, especially given its early successes.
Apple has never been shy about boasting about its gadget sales numbers. Last summer it touted sales of more than 1 million iPhone 3GS devices during their first weekend on sale.