Saturday delivery details

As the US iPad launch quickly approaches, additional details of international demand and domestic shipping terms have surfaced. Apple has notified early buyers that the devices will be delivered on April 3rd, but only in areas where UPS offers Saturday delivery. The company is also automatically refunding the additional payments for any customers that originally paid for expedited shipping.

As the first run of devices have already been pre-ordered or reserved for in-store pickup, a number of people are already attempting to make an extra profit. Craigslist ads indicate many of the reservations are being sold to the highest offer, while a Pittsburgh listing places a $1,000 price tag on the $500-retail 16GB model allegedly available for Saturday pickup.

International demand appears to be stronger than anticipated in certain locations, as Germans have allegedly placed 250,000 orders. The original allocation was said to be just 75,000 units, according to Gizmodo. Apple Germany is the company's largest European sector, falling right behind the UK, although it is unclear if the iPad is gathering similar interest in other countries of the EU or abroad.

Apple has already released an iTunes update, v9.1, that will enable users to sync iPads. Developers have also prepared iPad-optimized apps that should be available as soon as customers receive the devices. Titles include ngmoco games We Rule, GodFinger, and WarpGate, Doodle Buddy and Star Smash from Pinger, and many others.

Apple Stores and most Best Buy locations will open at 9am on Saturday to accommodate pre-orders and new buyers. Pre-order customers must arrive before 3pm or their reservation will be forfeited and the device may be sold to other walk-in buyers. The company is also still selling the devices from its online store, with US shipping dates currently listed as April 12th.

by MacNN Staff