Apple is looking tighten its grip on the tablet market with the release of its newest iPad, increasing pressure on Google to make rival Android devices more enticing.
Hordes of gadget lovers are expected to lay siege to Apple stores to get their hands on third-generation iPads when they the United States and nine other countries including Australia and France.
A week later the new iPads will be available in nearly 30 more countries. It has become standard to see long queues at Apple shops on release dates, and a flood of orders for iPads at the California firm's online store indicates the ritual will continue on Friday.
The new iPad also boasts a more powerful processor and the ability to connect to the latest 4G LTE telecom networks that move data faster than their predecessors. A high-energy launch is vital to Apple, since the tablets are the company's second-best selling device after iPhones
