New iPad Release: When, Where and How to Get it?

One of the most eagerly anticipated electronic gadgets of the year - what Apple's Tim Cook chose to call the "new iPad" - has finally been released. The official unveiling was at the Yerba Buena Centre for Arts in San Francisco on Wednesday. The tablet is expected to be made available for sale on 16 March.

According to information on Apple's Web site, the new iPad will start retailing at $499. The Wi-Fi enabled models (16GB, 32Gb and 64GB) will cost $499, $599 and $699, respectively. Meanwhile, the Wi-Fi and 4G models will start from $629 for the 16GB model.

Orange: Orange is likely to offer both standard and connected plans, on purchase of the new iPad. This has been confirmed by various online sources, as has the news it will be selling the new tablet but there has been no official report so far.

O2: The company, in a recent statement, confirmed they will be making and marketing SIM cards for the new iPad. However, the retailer will not be selling the tablet. "We are making SIM cards available for the new iPad, which offer a full integrated iPad experience enabling you to top up directly from the device," reads the statement.

Vodafone: "We can confirm that we will be offering the new iPad in line with Apple timings. We'll drop you a line to confirm pricing and other details in coming days," said Vodafone, in their statement.

Telstra: Telstra confirms, in a press statement, that it is also ready to stock the new iPad on 16 March. "We're pleased to confirm that we will bring the new iPad to Australia from Friday 16 March," said a Telstra spokesman.

Optus: Optus has also confirmed in a statement to Gizmodo, that it will be offering the new iPad with pricing "to be released in the coming days". The reports further confirm that 1800Mhz LTE iPad is not coming and the iPad to be released in Australia on 16 March would be incompatible with existing Australian 4G networks

T-Mobile: While there is no official statement, reports suggest T-Mobile will offer plans for the new iPad that will be largely similar to those offered by Orange.

Three: A statement posted on the company's Web site confirms the service provider will be offering the new iPad. "We're as excited as everyone else about the new iPad, and can confirm that it will be coming to Three very soon. All the latest info, including pricing and availability will be published at www.three.co.uk/ipad when we have it," reads the statement.

Carphone Warehouse

Carphone Warehouse has also confirmed it will be stocking the new iPad, with discounts and offers. One of these allows the user to trade in old models (between £105 and £205 for the iPad and £245 and £355 for the iPad 2) for discounts on the New iPad.

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