Apple delays iPad keyboard dock, When iPad battery dies it will cost you $99-plus

Originally scheduled to ship soon after the iPad launch in April, both the keyboard dock and 10W USB power adapter for Apple's tablet computer now have estimated ship dates sometime in the month of May.

In addition, the $39 iPad soft case, which was originally scheduled to ship on April 3 when preorders began last Friday, has been delayed until mid-April. The $69 keyboard dock was originally scheduled to ship in mid-April, and the $29 USB power adapter in late April.

Estimated shipping dates for the iPad dock ($29) and dock connector to VGA adapter ($29) remain unchanged and on schedule for the April 3 launch. In addition, the Apple in-ear headphones with remote and microphone still ship within 24 hours for $79.

Last Friday, Apple began accepting preorders for the iPad, set to launch on April 3. However, the company limited purchases two two per customer, for both regular consumers and businesses.

iPad's Battery; Once your iPad's battery conks out, Apple will give you a new device, but it'll cost you.

As with the iPhone, the rechargeable lithium-polymer battery in the soon-to-be-released Apple iPad is not user-replaceable, meaning you have to send the gadgets to Apple for servicing. And under the iPad Battery Replacement Service you'll get a new iPad to go with that new battery.

But the service won't come cheap. It'll cost you $99 plus $6.95 shipping for a grand total of $105.95 per unit. You may also have to pay local taxes on the deal.

The purchase price for the iPad itself starts at $499 for a Wi-Fi-only version with 16GB of memory and ranges up to $829 for the Wi-Fi + 3G edition with 64GB of memory.

Apple will replace your iPad only if the battery has lost its charge through normal use. So if you make your battery kaput by spilling hot coffee on your iPad or accidentally dropping the device out the window, you're out of luck.

Source: Apple Insider / CNET NEWS