Apple stores sell out of 3G iPads

SOME Apple stores sell out of the iPad, with staff not knowing when more are due in.

SOME Apple stores had last night sold out of 3G versions of the iPad, with staff telling customers they did not know when new stock would arrive.

Apple's flagship Sydney store in George Street had hundreds of the iPads with WiFi connectivity but none of the versions that are WiFi and 3G enabled.

The Bondi Junction store, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, had sold out of the 16GB and 32GB iPads with 3G and could only offer the most expensive 64GB version, at $1049, but said stock was fast disappearing.

With the WiFi iPad, users can connect to the internet via wireless networks but the dual WiFi and 3G enabled iPad - like a mobile phone - can also be used on cellular networks.

The 3G versions cost about $170 more than the iPads with WiFi connectivity only.

Apple declined to provide sales figures last night.

Steve Bardel, the managing director of independent Apple reseller My Mac, which has three stores in Sydney and Melbourne, sold out of the 3G versions on Saturday and expected the WiFi models to be snapped up by tomorrow.

"There was bigger demand than anticipated and I really don't know when we will have more stock," Mr Bardel said.

"It has been the biggest couple of days we have had as a company and we have put on more staff and we probably could have used twice as many. Our Melbourne shop probably did one-third of its monthly turnover in one day."

Mr Bardel sold close to 1000 iPads in just two days with customers returning to stock up on accessories, such as carry cases, keyboards and camera connection kits.

The Australian's iPad application was yesterday the most popular local news app in the iTunes store and the third most popular paid app.

For $4.99 a month, iPad subscribers can read The Australian, including real-time news updates. New sections as well as photo galleries and video will be gradually rolled out.

The iPad has spawned an industry of parasite products, with users rushing to purchase custom-made cases.