Apple claims two million iPad sales

The iPad has sold faster than the iPod or the iPhone

Apple has sold over two million iPads in the first 60 days since its release, and reported a huge surge in demand over the bank holiday weekend as the device went on sale in nine new countries, including the UK.

Apple chief executive Steve Jobs expressed his gratitude to customers for their patience following delays caused by huge demand in the US.

"Customers around the world are experiencing the magic of the iPad, and seem to love it as much as we do. We appreciate their patience, and are working hard to build enough iPads for everyone," he said.

Apple launched the iPad in the UK on Friday, and some customers queued overnight to be one of the first to get their hands on the much-vaunted device.

Some 5,000 new applications have already been created specifically for the iPad, according to Apple, and the device is scheduled for release in nine further countries in July and more later this year.

Ian Fogg, a principal analyst at Forrester Research, suggested that the delays in the UK indicated that demand had again taken Apple by surprise.

"When Apple released the iPod it sold 182,000 in the first two quarters. To sell two million devices in two months is quite something, and the risk Apple took in launching a product in a new area has clearly paid off," he said.

"The challenge now is for other manufacturers to offer a compelling alternative on platforms such as Android to entice new customers looking for tablet devices, now that Apple has opened up this market segment."

Fogg added that he does not expect Apple to drop its prices anytime soon, as demand for the iPad is clearly outstripping supply.