Apple breaks sales records with new iPad launch

Following the new iPad's debut last Friday, Apple has confirmed that the game-friendly device sold more than 3 million units in its launch weekend alone. "The new iPad is a blockbuster with three million sold -- the strongest iPad launch yet," said Apple VP of worldwide marketing Philip Schiller. These sales were much higher than the estimated launch numbers for the iPad 2, partially thanks to the fact that the new iPad launched in 10 regions rather than just the U.S. This healthy launch also keeps in line with Apple's continuing trend of breaking sales records with its new hardware releases. When its iPhone 4S launched last year, for instance, it sold 4 million units in one weekend, far outpacing the iPhone 4, which took three weeks to sell 3 million units. In terms of its new features, the iPad offers a number of notable additions that will enhance game development, including a high-resolution Retina display, as well as an A5X quad-core graphics chip to power more robust games and apps. Currently, the new iPad is available in the U.S., the UK, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, and several other regions. The device will see an expanded global launch later this week, on Friday, March 23.