Apple iPad sales hit the three million mark - CEO

Apple iPad sales have hit the three million mark and are showing no signs of flagging. The Cupertino, California-based gadget maker announced that it sold its three millionth iPads on Monday, just 80 days after the touchscreen tablet computer first became available in US stores.

"People are loving iPad as it becomes a part of their daily lives," Apple chief executive officer Steve Jobs said in a statement.

The iPad went on sale in the US on April 3 and Apple sold one million of the devices in the first 28 days and two million in two months.

"We're working hard to get this magical product into the hands of even more people around the world, including those in nine more countries next month," Mr Jobs said.

The iPad became available in Australia, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain and Switzerland at the end of last month and will hit stores in Austria, Belgium, Hong Kong, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, The Netherlands, New Zealand and Singapore next month.