Apple announces 3 million iPads sold in first 80 days

"People are loving iPad as it becomes a part of their daily lives," Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs said. "We're working hard to get this magical product into the hands of even more people around the world, including those in nine more countries next month."

Apple also said that developers have created more than 11,000 new applications for the iPad that take advantage of its multitouch user interface, large screen and high-quality graphics. In addition, it will run almost all of the more than 225,000 apps on the App Store, including apps already purchased for an iPhone or iPod touch.

Apple sold its first million iPads in less than a month, reaching that milestone in 28 days. The 2 million sales point was later reached in less than two months.

The numbers show that the pace of sales for the iPad has not slowed since it first launched with the Wi-Fi-only version in the U.S. alone on April 3. Later that month, the iPad 3G was released in America, and remained consistently sold out at Apple's retail stores for weeks.

The iPad launched in nine more countries on May 28, making its debut in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the U.K. The international launch was originally delayed due to high demand in the U.S.

Further launches in Austria, Belgium, Hong Kong, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand and Singapore will occur in July. Apple said it will announce launch dates for nine additional countries at a later date.

Users can browse the web, read and send email, enjoy and share photos, watch HD videos, listen to music, play games, read ebooks and much more, all using iPad's multitouch user interface. The devic is 0.5 inches thin and weighs 1.5 pounds, making it thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook, while still delivering up to 10 hours of battery life.