(Thumbnail image: Digital Spy)

The iPad officially comes out April 3 and if the number of reported pre-orders are any indication, it could be a smashing success.  Apple’s released initial sales numbers totalled some 50 thousand in just two hours, but the blog ‘9-to-5 Mac’ says Apple could be padding those numbers.
 
“While 50,000 iPads sold in two hours' makes a good headline, there were probably a few iPods and Macs sold during that time period as well.  Apple receives 15,000 orders on a normal day.”
 
CNBC says despite the high initial sales, developers have been slow to show interest in the product.

“Apple is having trouble lining up TV, newspapers, and other content as potential partners still consider the pros and cons of this new tablet.”

And although people seem to want it, MSNBC says there’s a price to pay for being one of the first to buy an iPad.
 
“It’s looking like a great product, but $499 for the least expensive version of this product, still pretty pricey, so if you do go out and buy it, you’re probably going to get a good product, but you’re probably paying top dollar if you buy it within the first few months."

And if you do dish out the money for the iPad, you still have to buy e-books. According to ZDnet, Amazon's already giving Apple a run for it's money with a free app.

“The Kindle for Mac move was critical given that Apple’s iTunes will soon launch a book store...It remains to be seen whether the iPad is a Kindle killer, but it’s important that Amazon’s Kindle content be visible on Apple’s latest device.”

A blogger for Macgasm is a little more optimistic saying the Kindle application could create some serious competition for Apple.
 
"A well designed Kindle application could seriously put a stranglehold on the iBookstore, and with rumors that other companies, such as Barnes and Noble, thinking about putting together their own bookstores on the iPad, things are going to get plenty interesting after the launch."

Writer: Alyssa Caverley

Producer: Newsy Staff