iPad 2 International Launch Met By Lines Around The World (PHOTOS)

On Friday, the iPad 2 launched in 25 countries around the world. Just as in the United States, crowds of customers queued up Apple stores and waited until the clock struck 5 p.m. (local time), when the doors were thrown open and the new tablets went on sale.

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Reublic, Denmark, Germany, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Norway, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland have stocked scores of iPad 2 devices, according to Boy Genius Report. The AFP writes that hundreds in Sydney, Australia had been camping in line since Wednesday. Similar stories have emerged from London, Berlin and Toronto.

"It looks as though international customers hoping to purchase online were greeted almost immediately (if not immediately) with an estimated 2 to 3 week wait," writes Gigaom. "That makes lining up the surest way to find an iPad anytime in the immediate future."

We've collected some photos of enormous lines and rowdy crowds from England and Germany. If you captured a photo of an iPad 2 line outside one of Apple's international stores, you can upload it to our slideshow via the "Add a Slide" tool.

Check out photos of huge lines from the U.S. launch here. Read on to see what critics have to say about the iPad 2, then browse our slideshow of users' biggest problems with the iPad 2 so far.

 

Make the most of the waiting game! If you attended the iPad 2's international launch, send us your photos of long lines, wild behavior, and general merriment.

Click "Add a Slide," choose a photo, enter a description, then click submit.

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The Apple Store on Regents Street Launches The Ipad 2

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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - MARCH 25: The first customers in the queue are greeted by staff as they enter to purchase the new Apple iPad 2 at Apple Store, Regent Street on March 25, 2011 in London, England. The latest iPad went on sale in the UK at 5:00pm. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)

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LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - MARCH 25: The first customers in the queue are greeted by staff as they enter to purchase the new Apple iPad 2 at Apple Store, Regent Street on March 25, 2011 in London, England. The latest iPad went on sale in the UK at 5:00pm. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)

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Comments

[helioszephyr]

08:04 PM on 03/31/2011

It's a consumer electronic device... nothing more. Most consumers don't really care how it works, nor should they. For some reason, there's this "PC mentality committee" that tries dragging along some dated "complexity mysticism" into tablets and other portable devices. Why? I think it's great (and a greater achievement) that my grandmother can use it.

[Kkeeman]

03:32 PM on 03/28/2011

watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HASrYEC3KaU about the ipad 2

[consrfunny]

11:03 AM on 03/28/2011

Bwwaahhhaaaahhaaa

Did I just read a post by some fanboi stating that the reason I don't like Apple and their sheeple is because I can't afford an iPad or an iPhone?

Really? That's what you're bringing to the table?

LOL

I think one clown even listed his "Jaguar" to make us non-believers jealous.

LOL

Ignorance is absolute bliss.

[leorangerie]

01:57 AM on 03/28/2011

What is it that Apple knows that other companies do not seem to know? No other company seems to be able to create that 'sizzle' in the tech world. Why?

[jt1980]

05:18 AM on 03/28/2011

The releases of the Wii, Xbox 360, and PS3 were met with similar responses. People love neat toys. As far as tablet market is concerned, it's a fact that Motorola, Blackberry, Samsung, Dell appear not to understand. They market their tablets more like computers, which are nice, but most people don't see anything new in computers.

[planetjeffy]

05:51 AM on 03/28/2011

Whatever you think of Apple, who would not want excited customers like these. It is tough to get people excited about anything these days. I don't own anything Apple except the stock. So I guess I am one of those excited Apple customers.

[LightShadow62]

08:39 PM on 03/27/2011

And the iSheeple say "BAAAAAA".

[WSAY]

09:43 PM on 03/27/2011

Get a job. Get some money. Buy the iPad. And stop complaining while other get what you want.

[LightShadow62]

11:00 AM on 03/28/2011

I have a job, my own company in fact.
I have plenty of money but chose to purchase a tablet that is something more than a iPod with a big screen.
And I suggest you study the difference between a complaint and a commentary on mindless consumers.

[consrfunny]

11:07 AM on 03/28/2011

I love this post, absolutely love it.

Yep, I can't afford the latest iproduct so I'm jealous of all you sheeple that can.

Is ignorance common in your family?

[Onutz]

12:13 AM on 03/28/2011

((And the iSheeple say

[Senf]

03:01 PM on 03/27/2011

Well, at least they had their iPad to keep them entertained while waiting in line for iPad2.

[jabreal00]

01:39 PM on 03/27/2011

But I thought the Motorola Xoom that is flash capable and 4G capable (phantomware) will crush the iPad due to it's superior specifications? I guess it's not only Americans who are brainwashed by Jobs? There must be a global wide conspiracy by Jobs to brainwash the world to appreciate Apple products? LOL.

[CaptainObvvious]

01:10 PM on 03/27/2011

The Apple haters can come here and say what they like. They can say the iPad isn't any good... They can say their product is better or that only uninformed people get the iPad.

The fact remains though that basically every serious tech website on the internet as well as reports in print media have given the iPad incredibly glowing reviews and called it not only an incredible product but the best tablet on the market.

Even websites like Ars Technica, Engadget and CNet have specifically compared the iPad 2 and the XOOM and declared without reservation that the iPad wins across the board.

All they do and will do in response to this is try and discredit the source. Call them all Apple fanboy sites. Say Gizmodo doesn't say the iPad is better because it is but because they just love Apple.

It isn't some massive conspiracy it is because the iPad 2 is better and is awesome.

[Michael Ludin]

05:58 PM on 03/27/2011

agreed. Best thing since Tivo, before that since the toaster!!!

[AmyRenee]

12:59 AM on 03/28/2011

Love the Tivo mention... they really changed the game with that one.

[WillowInTheWind]

12:35 PM on 03/27/2011

Pablum for the masses.........

[CaptainObvvious]

12:47 PM on 03/27/2011

Or a really fun device that almost replaces my laptop that people who earned their money decided to buy.

It isn't for you to decide what is worth the money.

[Onutz]

01:02 PM on 03/27/2011

((It isn't for you to decide what is worth the money))

Of course it is. Don't you realize that the definition of Droid is "robot"?

[allwarisbad]

01:10 PM on 03/27/2011

Ipad is for dumb-users - so the dumb PC users can go there ...
No USB - no Flash ...

[leorangerie]

02:01 AM on 03/28/2011

...pablum that has made Apple shareholders very, very happy.

[WillowInTheWind]

03:17 PM on 03/28/2011

Absolutely correct! That's why I own some Apple stock! Pablum can be quite profitable but that doesn't mean that I have to use the stuff.

[cbit canada]

11:09 AM on 03/27/2011

good to hear that...Canada Computer Store

[gorgol]

05:44 AM on 03/27/2011

Note to AAPLE competitors: Its over. Step aside.

[Nick Montana]

07:30 AM on 03/27/2011

What's over? Apple's computer market share is 10% and Android is the dominant OS in mobile market share. Long lines all over for the newest Apple product doesn't mean anything except there are hoards of people who will wait in long lines to pay a hipster tax for the newest Apple product. Good for Apple, though. Personally I prefer to build my own computers than overpay for the same hardware and prefer a functional OS over a walled-in but nicely streamlined one, and others prefer opposite of myself.

So what is there to gloat over and declare "it's over"? I don't get it. Apple is a brand with a premium in the price you pay for their pretty decent products but they have excellent marketing that has convinced a lot of people they're hip and buying "the best" by doing so, but this is the tech industry. Microsoft and Nokia were on top, too, and things change. Plus I don't understand why Apple enthusiasts have a weirdly pledged allegiance to what is just an overpriced (but decent) electronics and computer brand as if that's anything remotely important to express loyalty toward.

[Yank in France]

10:04 AM on 03/27/2011

You're just mad because there weren't any iPads left when you got the head of the line!

[WillowInTheWind]

12:37 PM on 03/27/2011

It's pablum for the masses.........They are so-called "superusers" but non of them know a bit from a byte............

[gorgol]

05:40 AM on 03/27/2011

There is still time to make a fortune in APPLE stock...don't look at the high price...just the fact it may double again....

[allwarisbad]

12:43 PM on 03/27/2011

That is what americans are good for - make a virtual buck :)

[Michael Ludin]

06:05 PM on 03/27/2011

as long as when I cash in virtual turns to green, which turns to my daughters college education!

[planetjeffy]

05:55 AM on 03/28/2011

what is wrong with investing in the market
anyone can do it if they care to spend a couple of hrs a month doing a little homework

[planetjeffy]

05:54 AM on 03/28/2011

Apple stock is downright cheap with a forward P/E of $13.30.
It's been beaten down by Steve Jobs rumors and the Japan quake -and it is still a good time to jump in.

[Lordcron]

04:05 AM on 03/27/2011

Umm.... Yeah..... That's great but I'm getting the Motorola Xoom with Honeycomb and will be very happy with that. Adobe just came out with a beta of Flash that works with googles OS so the web for the most part won't be broken for me.

It's about who's offering more for the money not brand loyalty.

[allwarisbad]

12:44 PM on 03/27/2011

Excellent choice !

[CaptainObvvious]

12:57 PM on 03/27/2011

Almost every review of the two products would disagree with you.

[Gudrun]

12:51 PM on 03/27/2011

I'm glad that there will more tablet choices, but I'm happy with my iPad.

[Morgantheaxe]

02:20 AM on 03/27/2011

And ihater heads explode all over the world.

[demosthenes11]

11:51 PM on 03/26/2011

The picture of the lady with the golden ticket reminds me of Willa Wonka, except she found out shortly after the pic was taken the factory was closed.

Does anyone else think its rude that Apple let people line up like fools to tell them 3 week wait?

[Gudrun]

12:52 PM on 03/27/2011

No one is forced to stand in the line. Their choice. I wouldn't do it myself, but they all seem to be having a harmless good time. I don't understand why people are so bothered by this.

[mairs]

10:40 PM on 03/27/2011

If you'll check the sentence again, it says that international customers immediately had a three week wait ordering online, not physically standing in line at a store.