Despite worries over supply issues in the wake of the devastation left behind by a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and consequent tsunami in Japan, Apple Inc. received encouraging consumer action on Friday, March 25, when iPad 2 sales went global.
Two weeks after Apple's latest tablet went on sale in the United States, iPad 2 sales kick started in 25 other countries, including Canada, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand and 21 European nations.
Tech-junkies formed serpentine queues in front of the outlets to get their hands on the next generation tablet that succeeds iPad, the tablet that threw open a brand new market bordering between laptops and PCs.
The launch of iPad 2 comes as a strategic move by tech behemoth as it tries to defend its hold in the tablet market, which has been flooded with competition from rival companies with offerings such as BlackBerry PlayBook, and Samsung Galaxy Tabs.
Although the anticipation for Apple's latest tablet is a good sign, analysts have raised questions on supply of parts for the device, in the wake of the earthquake-related problems in Japan.
A week after the March 11 earthquake and consequent tsunami brought Japan to its knees, there were reports that Apple iPad 2 production will take a hit due to the disaster. Back then it was predicted that the gadget maker's ability to meet better-than-expected demand for iPad 2 will be affected by the company's reliance on a number of Japanese parts suppliers.
Nevertheless, those waiting in queues for the much-awaited Apple iPad 2 did not seem to be bothered by these factors.
Start the slideshow to see the overwhelming consumer response Apple iPad 2 got across 25 countries as the tablet went on global sales:
Apple store staff welcome first customers in a Paris Apple store the moment Apple's iPad 2 became available for direct purchase in France March 25, 2011. REUTERS/Charles PlatiauPeople queue up at a computer store to buy a new iPad 2 in Berlin, March 25, 2011. Hundreds of customers queued outside Apple stores in Asia and Europe to buy an iPad 2 tablet computer amid fears that shortages in the United States would be repeated abroad. The iPad 2, a thinner and faster version that features two cameras for video chat, was introduced in the United States on March 11, and analysts estimate about a million were sold in the first weekend. On Friday, the rollout was extended to 25 countries including most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Mexico.REUTERS/Tobias SchwarzAn Apple staff member shows an iPad 2 to a customer (L) at Zurich's Apple store after its official launch for direct purchase in Switzerland, March 25, 2011. REUTERS/Christian HartmannA staff member holds the new Apple iPad2 at the Apple store in London March 25, 2011. Hundreds of customers queued outside Apple stores in Asia and Europe to buy an iPad 2 tablet computer amid fears that shortages in the United States would be repeated abroad. REUTERS/Luke MacGregorJewels Lewis, who was the first customer to buy an iPad 2, holds up his purchase at the Apple store in London March 25, 2011. Hundreds of customers queued outside Apple stores in Asia and Europe to buy an iPad 2 tablet computer amid fears that shortages in the United States would be repeated abroad. REUTERS/Luke MacGregorRebecca Felix poses with an Apple iPad 2, showing a distorted image of herself at the Apple store in London March 25, 2011. Hundreds of customers queued outside Apple stores in Asia and Europe to buy an iPad 2 tablet computer amid fears that shortages in the United States would be repeated abroad. REUTERS/Luke MacGregorStaff at the Apple store in Barcelona cheer their first iPad 2 customer as he holds up his purchase the moment Apple's iPad 2 became available for direct purchase in Spain March 25, 2011.REUTERS/Albert GeaRicardo, the first customer in Madrid to buy an iPad 2 tablet after waiting 33 hours in line, shows off his purchase as Apple store staff applaud at an Apple store in Arroyomolinos, near Madrid, March 25, 2011. REUTERS/Sergio PerezResearchers at a technology conference in San Francisco on Wednesday have accused Apple of breaching the privacy line of consumers by storing user’s location and other details in a secret file.Reuters.A customer looks at Apple's iPad 2 at Zurich's Apple store after its official launch for direct purchase in Switzerland March 25, 2011. REUTERS/Christian HartmannThe first Apple iPad 2 customer of Barcelona's Apple store holds up his iPad 2, after it became available for direct purchase in Spain March 25, 2011. REUTERS/Albert Gea
