Orange, T-Mobile confirm carrier status

(Updated with Walmart confirmation) At least three major third-party retailers should be carrying the iPad 2 during the US launch, information indicates. A definite partner is Best Buy, which has already posted a splash image advertising a March 11th rollout. Meanwhile, a source claims that iPad 2 SKUs have entered inventory systems for Walmart and Sam's Club.

In the UK, carriers Orange and T-Mobile have identified themselves as stocking the device "when it becomes available" locally, which should be March 25th. Official US carriers AT&T and Verizon have yet to say whether they will have retail stock. While likely given the companies' arrangement with the iPad 1, it is not strictly necessary, as people can buy either an AT&T or a Verizon model directly from Apple.

Update: Walmart has confirmed its participation by posting web listings. A 16GB Wi-Fi iPad 2 will cost $498 through the big-box retailer, just a dollar less than the normal price. Similarly, 3G models will start at $628.

By Electronista Staff