Hefty price tags as iPad 2 and Nintendo 3DS arrive in stores
Apple’s iPad 2 went on sale online at 1am, while a number of game retailers opened their doors at midnight for the official launch of the Nintendo 3DS games system which allows users to play games in 3D without the need for special glasses.
According to Apple, the eagerly awaited iPad 2 features an entirely new design that is 33% thinner and up to 15% lighter than the original iPad, but still delivers up to 10 hours of battery life.
It also features front and rear cameras, faster Safari mobile browsing performance, iTunes Home Sharing, faster graphics and the choice to use the iPad side-switch to either lock the screen rotation or mute audio.
However anyone hoping for a price reduction on its predecessor will be disappointed, with prices starting from €479 for the 16GB model and going as high as €799 for the 64GB model with Wi-Fi and 3G.
Meanwhile, six GameStop and four HMV stores opened their doors at midnight for the launch of the Nintendo 3DS games system in Ireland.
The Nintendo 3DS includes two screens and has the ability to take 3D pictures and play specially-created games while still compatible with the older DS and DSi games.
The bottom touch screen makes use of a telescoping stylus, while the top screen displays 3D visuals to the naked eye.
At one Dublin-based GameStop store, the first 100 people in the queue received a Nintendo game title of their choice, while the first 10 customers were invited into the store to demo the Nintendo 3DS before midnight.
Retailing at about €279.99, some technology lovers may opt to stick with their older versions of the portable device.
However, the head of games at HMV, Tim Ellis, said there was huge interest in the 3DS through pre-orders in store and online prior to the device going on sale.
