Apple Delays the iPad's International Launch

The "iPad is here," says Apple (AAPL) on its website. Turns out, though, that there are quite a few places where the iPad is not -- namely, anywhere outside the U.S.

The company said Wednesday that it will need to delay the iPad's international release by a month, until the end of May. Apple says it will begin taking online pre-orders from buyers outside the U.S. on Monday, May 10.

Strong Start

Officially, the company says the reason for the delay is that demand has outstripped supply.

"Although we have delivered more than 500,000 iPads during its first week, demand is far higher than we predicted and will likely continue to exceed our supply over the next several weeks as more people see and touch the iPad," according to the official statement. "We know that many international customers waiting to buy an iPad will be disappointed by the news, but we hope they will be pleased to learn the reason -- the iPad is a runaway success in the U.S. so far."

The company said it sold 300,000 units on the first day, which met some of the most bullish expectations. But there are lingering questions about the size of the device's market since it doesn't quite have the full functionality of a computer or an iPhone.

Investors Not Concerned

And although Apple says the later international launch is due to demand outstripping supply, the company also delayed its release in the U.S. (There was no reason given for the U.S. delay, but one analyst speculates that it was the result of a component shortage.)

Investors were seemingly unconcerned, though, as Apple shares were most recently trading up 1.2%, or $2.84, at $245.27.