Apple Officially Announces 8:00 AM Local Time Launch for New iPad on Friday, March 16
Apple today officially announced that the new iPad will launch at 8:00 AM local time on Friday in the United States and nine other countries. The first hints of an 8:00 AM launch surfaced earlier this week with the grand opening time of Apple's new Highland Village retail store in Houston, and the time was essentially confirmed yesterday with a leaked photo of Apple retail store signage announcing the launch time.
Apple today announced the new iPad, the third generation of its category defining mobile device, will arrive at Apple’s retail stores and the Apple Online Store (www.apple.com) on Friday, March 16 at 8:00 a.m. local time in the US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland and the UK; along with Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
Apple also notes that customers purchasing the new iPad will receive free Personal Setup to get their new device up and running, while promoting Personal Pickup options available through the Apple Store app for iOS devices.

Finally, the company confirms that the new iPad will be available from Best Buy, RadioShack, Sam’s Club, Target and Walmart in the United States. Carriers AT&T and Verizon have also announced that they will be offering 4G models of the new iPad beginning with Friday's launch date.
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Top Rated Comments
It's almost a work of art what they've done with their supply chain & logistics. Cook is truly shining here.
Seriously? Get over it! Last year you would only be putting on order in on the same day as all those people getting theirs by standing in line. Be glad we were able to preorder this time.
Yeah, sucks to be you. Let's see, you don't have to get up early, stand in line at some Best Buy in the cold and hope that you are lucky enough to be in a good place in line to get the exact color and model you desire. Instead you go about your day and some nice person from FedEX rings your doorbell and hand you your shinny new iPad. You are not entiltled. You pre-ordered only because you want to ensure that you get you hands on one on lauch day. boo-hoo.
Although, mine is sitting in Middletown, PA.
You mean: anyone can wake up before dawn, sit outside in a lawn chair, be miserable, miss work, and keep their fingers crossed that the store they're at will have the model they want, while all you have to do is wait for a knock on your door. Yeah, Apple's really screwing you over.