LOS ANGELES, March 16 (UPI) -- The third-generation iPad's retail debut Friday brought brisk sales worldwide with high expectations it will be another big seller for Apple, analysts said.
Thousands of customers lined up outside stores as the new iPad went on sale at retail outlets after Apple sold out on pre-orders for the device, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Three Piper Jaffray analysts said in a note to investors they believed more than 1 million of the new iPads would sell Friday.
Retail stores began selling the new iPad in 10 countries Friday: the United States, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland and Britain. The device is to be sold in 25 additional markets starting March 23.
The new iPad features a sharper display screen and faster 4G network capability.
CNN reported Forrester analyst Sarah Rotman Epps had high expectations for the new iPad.
"The iPhone 4S was the fastest-selling phone ever, and we expect the same for the iPad," she said. "Consumers are thrilled to get their hands on the latest Apple gadgets."
Lizandra Osorio, 23, of Bridgeton, N.J., said she had gone to a New Jersey Walmart at midnight but it had only a few of the new iPads and when she arrived at a shopping mall in Delaware at 2 a.m., hundreds of people were already in line.
"I was planning to be first in line, but that plan failed," Osorio said. "If I can get one in my hands, it'll be worth it."
