iPad 2 will be launched in 25 countries 5pm on Friday

Apple has confirmed its worldwide launch for the iPad 2, stating that its new thinner faster tablet will be available to purchase in stores (Apple Authorized Resellers) at 5 pm local time as well as through Apple’s site at 1 am.

“While competitors are still struggling to catch up with our first iPad, we’ve changed the game again with iPad 2,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We’re experiencing amazing demand for iPad 2 in the US, and customers around the world have told us they can’t wait to get their hands on it. We appreciate everyone’s patience and we are working hard to build enough iPads for everyone.”

This debunks the report we heard yesterday claiming that BestBuy (Canada) would be opening its doors at 10 am to sell the iPad 2.

Here’s the scoop..

On Friday March 25th, the iPad will be sold in over 25 countries:
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the U.K.

Apple’s suggestion retail prices:
iPad 2 WiFi $499 (16GB model) $599 (32GB model) $699 (64GB model). And, for Pad 2 WiFi /3G $629 (16GB model) $729 (32GB model) $829 (64GB model.)

iPad 2 will be available in Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore and additional countries in April, and in many more countries around the world in the coming months. Further international availability and pricing will be announced at a later date.