Apple announces IPad Tablet Sale on April 3 in U.S.

Apple Inc, growing beyond the iPhone & Macintosh desktops & laptops, plans to begin selling iPad tablet computer in the U.S. on April 3 & it will get preorders for the iPad next week.

The company will primarily sell models that connect to the Internet using Wi-Fi networks, starting at $499. Versions that can too tap mobile-phone networks will be on hand in late April, Apple said today.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs has pitched the iPad as mobile device that falls among smartphones & laptop computers. With a 9.7 inch touch screen, it provides Web pages, e-mail, music, videos, games, electronic books & iPhone applications. Apple may sell 6 million this year, depending to Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

Apple told today that all iPad models will be available in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland & the UK in late April.