By Grant Shepherd

SYDNEY, NSW: Apple has announced that its new iPad tablet device sold more than 300,000 units in its first day of sale in the US. The launch also triggered a large increase in the amount of apps and ebooks downloaded from the App Store.

As of midnight Saturday 3 April the new Apple iPad sold over 300,000 units, which included pre-orders for customers, deliveries to channel partners and sales at Apple Retail Stores.

Steve Jobs, Apple CEO, commented on the release of the company’s latest device.

“It feels great to have the iPad launched into the world – it is going to be a game changer,” he said.

“iPad users, on average, downloaded more than three apps and close to one book within hours of unpacking their new iPad.”

According to Apple, iPad users downloaded over one million apps from Apple’s App Store and over 250,000 ebooks from the new iBookstore during the first day.

Australian pricing has not yet been confirmed. In the US, the 16GB model is available for US $499, the 32GB is $599 and the 64GB comes at $699.

Wi-Fi + 3G models of the iPad retail for US $629 (16GB), $729 (32GB) and $829 (64GB).

Australians will be able to get their hands on the device in late April.

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