Pricking the bubble of some analysts who projected much higher figures, Apple has announced it sold over 300,000 iPads in the US as of midnight Saturday, April 3rd.

This figure includes deliveries of pre-ordered iPads to customers, deliveries to channel partners and sales at Apple retail stores.

First day app downloads were over one million, and over 250,000 ebooks were sold from the iBookstore.

"It feels great to have the iPad launched into the world - it's going to be a game changer," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO.

"IPad users, on average, downloaded more than three apps and close to one book within hours of unpacking their new iPad."

What will be really significant however is how quickly Apple gets to landmark figures such as one million, five million and 10 million sales.

[source: Apple]