Apple sells one millionth iPad in the US

Apple has confirmed that the one millionth iPad was sold in the US on Friday, as the company also launched its first 3G version of the tablet computer.

Around half a million iPads were snapped up in America during the first week after the device went on sale at the start of April.

In a statement, Apple chief executive Steve Jobs highlighted that the iPad needed just 28 days to achieve 1m sales, compared to the 74 days it took the iPhone.

"One million iPads in 28 days - that's less than half of the 74 days it took to achieve this milestone with iPhone," he said.

Jobs added that "demand continues to exceed supply" with the iPad, while over 12m apps and 1.5m eBooks have already been downloaded for the device.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Piper Jaffray & Co analyst Gene Munster claimed that around 300,000 iPad 3G models were sold in the US over the weekend.

In reaction to strong US demand for the iPad, Apple last month opted to delay the tablet's international launch until the end of May.