Apple Announces International Pricing and Local iBookstores

Apple confirmed it intends to launch international versions of its iBookstore when it ships the iPad to several countries on May 28. iBooks will be available as a free app from the App Store and ebooks can be previewed, purchased and read using the e-reader software.

Previous to the international ship date, the iBookstore was limited to iPad owners in the US due to local copyright laws. So far, Apple has sold 1.5 million ebooks on iPads across the US. Apple continues to work on deals with several publishers and has verified iBookstore access will be available in the following countries:

Australia
Canada
France
Germany
Italy
Japan
Spain
United Kingdom

In other news related to the international launch of the iPad, Apple has announced pricing for individual countries. The prices (listed here in local currencies) vary based on the individual markets and other factors:

Australia (Wi-Fi): 16GB - $629, 32GB - $759, 64GB - $879
Australia (Wi-Fi + 3G): 16GB - $799, 32GB - $928, 64GB - $1049

Canada (Wi-Fi): 16GB - $549, 32GB - $649, 64GB - $749
Canada (Wi-Fi + 3G): 16GB - $679, 32GB - $779, 64GB - $879

France (Wi-Fi): 16GB - €499, 32GB - €599, 64GB - €699, (Wi-Fi + 3G add €100)

Germany (Wi-Fi): 16GB - €514, 32GB - €614, 64GB - €714, (Wi-Fi + 3G add €100)

Italy: Same prices as France

Japan (Wi-Fi): 16GB - ¥48,960, 32GB - ¥59,040, 64GB - ¥68,880
Japan (Wi-Fi + 3G): 16GB - ¥61,920, 32GB - ¥72,000, 64GB - ¥81,840

Spain (Wi-Fi): 16GB - €479, 32GB - €579, 64GB - €679, (Wi-Fi + 3G add €100)

Switzerland (Wi-Fi): 16GB - 649, 32GB - 779, 64GB - 899
Switzerland (Wi-Fi + 3G): 16GB - 799, 32GB - 929, 64GB - 1049

United Kingdom (Wi-Fi): 16GB - £429, 32GB - £499, 64GB - £599
United Kingdom (Wi-Fi + 3G): 16GB - £529, 32GB - £599, 64GB - £699

Pre-ordering for countries outside the US starts on May 10, 2010 for all iPad models and storage capacities. Apple sold one million iPads in the first 28 days of release in the US, and many units have already found their way overseas.

[via iLounge]