Nine more countries are scheduled to get the iPad in July, but in the meantime Apple is selling an average of 26 iPads every 60 seconds. This unbelievable clip means the total units sold is three million in only 80 days.

For comparison, it took two years for Amazon's Kindle to sell that many units. For those who like statistics, Apple has sold three million iPads over 9 times faster than Amazon has sold equal numbers of the Kindle.

Speculation is rampant about the impending collapse of the e-reader market as a price war has erupted amongst Barnes & Noble and Amazon in response to the iPad's shocking success. A Wi-Fi only Nook now retails for $149, while the 3G Kindle 2 is being offered for a mere $189. During its 2007 launch, the original Kindle retailed for $399.

The iPad, of course, offers full color movie watching, apps, and a multitude of other functions in addition to digital books. All this and the introductory price is $499. Even Apple was taken off guard and is still dealing with touch screen supply problems as it struggles to meet overwhelming demand.

Barnes & Noble and Amazon both offer iPad apps, which still make them money selling content in the form of e-books. Apple has entered the game with iBooks and the iBookstore, looking to chip away at market share and eventually take over the e-reader market altogether. Amazon continues to sell digital music files online, directly competing with iTunes.

No doubt we'll here more numbers from Apple in the near future. As long as iPads are selling at 26 per minute there will be apps and e-books downloaded and Apple shares will continue to increase in value. It remains to be seen whether or not the iPad can keep up this pace through the late summer and into the holiday shopping season.