Just two days after Apple launched the iPad 2 in Australia, official Apple stores and resellers across the country are sold out and many don’t know when they’ll receive more stock, leaving hundreds of customers disappointed.
The excitement over Apple’s latest gadget comes as one new rumour suggests Apple may be set to preview the iOS 5 software at the upcoming WWDC conference – ahead of the unexpected release of an iPad 3 in the Australian Spring.
The iOS release is said to include the launch of several cloud-based apps, including a music locker service that could allow users to store their music on Apple’s own servers.
TechCrunch has reported Apple is planning something a little different for this year’s WWDC. While the company usually previews the next version of its iOS software a few months before the conference, sources say that event will be moved back to the actual WWDC event.
The iOS 5 is expected to show off some big changes, and will depend heavily on cloud-based services. There could be the arrival of new services, including a music service that has been alluded to in previous rumours.
Another cloud service is also expected to launch that would see users able to connect with friends and family members using their devices, but not much detail about this has been provided.
But perhaps the biggest rumour is that Apple is planning to launch a new iPad later this year. While rumours of an early iPad 3 launch have been published before, this is another sign that Apple is attempting to disrupt its normal release schedule.
Meanwhile, although demand for the iPad 2 is still running high, stock is coming up short. Queues at Apple Stores reached into the hundreds on Friday afternoon, with some waiting for over one day to get their hands on the iPad 2.
Apple stores in Sydney and Melbourne drew crowds of hundreds, while resellers also drew large crowds. There have been reports of hundreds waiting outside Next Byte, JB Hi-Fi and Myer stores.
These resellers have already begun to sell out. Apple Stores in Sydney and Melbourne have sold out completely on the weekend, with some selling out of the white versions of the device as early as Friday afternoon, shortly after launch.
Apple was contacted regarding the demand this morning, but a spokesperson said no formal announcement has been made yet regarding availability.
Stock disappeared although Apple was limiting iPads to just two per customer and some resellers were encouraging those in queues to buy just one iPad each.
According to posts on forums including Whirlpool, some resellers do have stock available, including JB Hi-Fi stores in outer suburban locations – although it is fairly limited and some stores only have three or four models left.
Shipping times on the iPad 2 are still listed as three to four weeks on the online Apple Store, although some users have indicated SmartCovers are beginning to ship already.
But the demand isn’t limited to just Australia. The gadget launched in 25 countries last Friday and already stock has begun to sell out in London, according to various reports. Resellers including John Lewis are completely sold out.
Patrick Stafford is a freelance journalist and a former deputy editor of SmartCompany.
