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The Apple iPad has been selling like hotcakes despite being a “niche” device, or not having a place in the market, according to some analysts prior to its release, but now it looks like it’s going to an even bigger boost. Well, perhaps not quite as big as selling in China soon, but close enough. Starting September 26, every single Best Buy location in the U.S. will be selling the iPad.
This is good news for those who’ve been reluctant to order it from Apple online, who don’t live near an Apple retail store, and whose local Best Buy retailers don’t carry the tablet computer. It’s also perfect for the holiday season where the iPad is likely to be a hot commodity for holiday shoppers. Having it at every Best Buy location is going to be very convenient.
BusinessWeek says:
Expanding iPad sales to 1,093 U.S. stores from 673 outlets reflects Best Buy’s efforts to capitalize on the growing popularity of tablet computers, Dunn said by telephone today from Richfield, Minnesota, where the company is based.
“We see the iPad as the magnificent shining light in what will become a whole new category, and that is tablets,” [CEO Brian Dunn] said. “In many cases, it’s an incremental device. In some cases, it’s a substitute device for netbooks. We think that’s going to stimulate a lot of customer interest.”
The “magnificent shining light” in the tablet category? Oh, OK. The iPad is a great device and all, but I thought the bullish phrases like “magical” and “magnificent” were reserved for Apple, but I guess not.
Expanding is good news, but there will also be another tablet computer jumping into the market soon, and that’s the Samsung Galaxy Tab. If you’re not into Apple’s walled garden, you’re not a fan of iOS, or you just prefer Android all around, you might want to take a look at it when it launches. But I just get the feeling that the Galaxy Tab, nice as it is, really won’t be a threat to the iPad.
[Via: BusinessWeek]
About The Author
Marc Flores
Marc has been a mobile fanatic for the better part of a decade and has had more devices pass through his hands than he would care to count. Originally from Los Angeles and briefly in San Francisco, Marc now lives in Brooklyn where, unlike Will Park, he longs for simpler times and simpler technology. All the while, he writes about gadgets and wireless technology as he tinkers, hacks and ultimately breaks most of his gadgets in the process. Marc has written about the mobile industry for Boy Genius Report, MobileCrunch, Laptop Magazine and has had his work appear in the Wall Street Journal, Gizmodo, CrunchGear and more.
