Apple Inc. revealed on Tuesday that it will start shipping the iPad 3G to customers on Friday, April 30. The iPad 3G will also be made available at Apple Store retail locations on the same day.

This announcement dispels the ambiguity associated with the market release date of the 3G + Wi-Fi version of the iPad.

It was reported earlier this week, that the present iPad 3G pre-orders would not be available on doorsteps until May 7. This had triggered speculation that all 3G iPad shipments would be postponed.

Apple Inc. put these worries at rest by assuring customers who had pre-ordered the iPad 3G in March that their iPad 3G shipments would reach their door steps by late April. However, the company refrained from disclosing a more tangible shipping date at the time.

It is notable that though Apple's has announced a date for the release of the iPad 3G in Apple Stores starting at 5 p. m. local time on April 30, yet it has evaded announcing when the iPad will be available at other retail outlets such as Best Buy.

Apple also evinced that it will undertake an international launch of the iPad by the end of May in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland, and the UK.