Apple to sell iPad 2 in 25 more countries at 5 p.m. local time on Friday

Apple on Tuesday reiterated its plans to launch the iPad 2 on Friday, with the next-generation touchscreen tablet going on sale in stores at 5 p.m. local time, and online through the Apple Store at 1 a.m.

"While competitors are still struggling to catch up with our first iPad, we've changed the game again with iPad 2," said Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs. "We’re experiencing amazing demand for iPad 2 in the U.S., and customers around the world have told us they can't wait to get their hands on it. We appreciate everyone’s patience and we are working hard to build enough iPads for everyone."

iPad 2 with Wi-Fi will be available in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the U.K. on March 25 for a suggested retail price of $499 (U.S.) for the 16GB model, $599 (U.S.) for the 32GB model, $699 (US) the 64GB model. iPad 2 with Wi-Fi + 3G will be available for a suggested retail price of $629 (U.S.) for the 16GB model, $729 (U.S.) for the 32GB model and $829 (U.S.) for the 64GB model.

Apple also revealed that the iPad 2 will be available in Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore and additional countries in April, and in many more countries around the world in the coming months. Further international availability and pricing will be announced at a later date.

One nation still missing from the list of countries for international iPad 2 sales is Japan. Apple revealed a week ago that it would delay the launch of the iPad 2 in Japan following the recent earthquake and tsunami disaster. Apple has not yet announced a new launch date.

"We are delaying the launch of the iPad 2 in Japan while the country and our teams focus on recovering from the recent disaster," the company said.

The remainder of the international launch of the iPad 2 will go on as planned, in the face of crushing demand and limited supply in the U.S. The iPad 2 first went on sale in the U.S. earlier this month, and Apple has been unable to meet demand since its launch.