Apple Inc. said its much-hyped Wi-Fi version iPad tablet will hit U.S. stores on April 3rd and late April for the 3G models in the US at cost of $499. Global availability (Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK) won’t be until Late April.

A digital reader application called iBooks will also be available as a free download starting April 3.  

  iPad is something completely new,” said Apple CEO Steve Jobs in a statement. “We’re excited for customers to get their hands on this magical and revolutionary product and connect with their apps and content in a more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before.”

Some analysts estimate sales of 4 million to 5 millionn in the first year, but skeptics note that a potential broad market for tablets.

3G, Apple, iBooks, iPad, steve jobs, Tablet, Wi-Fi