(Image courtesy of TiPb)
From rumor to fact, just like that: After weekend leaks that the iPad would soon be arriving in Wal-Mart stores, the retailer has confirmed on Monday night that it’s the real deal, and you’ll be able to buy one this Friday, October 15.
AppleInsider is reporting that Bentonville, Arkansas-based Wal-Mart has made the leaks and rumors official on Monday night by announcing that they will be carrying Apple’s iPad in “hundreds of its stores” starting on Friday, October 15. The tablet invasion will ramp up in November to include 2,300 stores, and the retailer will indeed be carrying all six variations of the iPad (three Wi-Fi only and three Wi-Fi + 3G in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB capacities).
As we reported last week, analysts already claim that the iPad has the fastest adoption rate of any consumer electronics device -- beating out even the DVD player -- and having the device on Wal-Mart shelves will surely only continue that reign.
Wal-Mart retail stores will feature the iPad as part of “a separate showcase of Apple hardware,” and the device can be ordered from the company’s online store but only for store pickup -- no iPads will be shipped to customers’ homes.
It would appear that Apple has lined up the iPad for an amazing holiday season, first expanding sales to all Best Buy locations on September 26 and then offering the device in Target stores on October 3 and now Wal-Mart come this Friday, October 15.
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