Apple says sales of the iPad topped 2 million in less than 60 days since the device’s launch on April 3. The tablet recently hit international markets, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and Britain.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs says he appreciated the “patience” of the company’s international iPad customers, who are getting the device several weeks after Apple’s U.S. customers. The iPad is slated to hit nine more countries in July, with additional international markets launching later this year.
Sales of the iPad have outstripped sales of Apple’s hallmark iPhone during its launch three years ago. It took 74 days for Apple to sell 1 million iPhones after the handset hit shelves in 2007. The iPhone was the first of its kind to hit shelves but now faces competition from other smartphones and an increased array of mobile operating systems, notably Google’s Android OS.
BTIG analyst Walter Piecyk says Apple is on track to beat the firm’s estimate of 2.75 million iPad shipments for the June quarter. In a posting on BTIG’s website, Piecyk said his company expects Apple to sell 2.8 million iPads in the September quarter.
