“We received a tip this morning from a Toys R’ Us employee that the venerable children’s toy store will begin selling the iPad 2 next month,” Michael Essany reports for ModMyi.
“Although there have been rumors in the past about Toys R’ Us possibly carrying the iPad at some point in the future, this is the first we’ve heard from an actual employee that an iPad launch at the toy store is imminent,” Essany reports. “And there’s photographic evidence to back up the claim.”
Essany reports, “Obtained during an employee training session, the pic clearly illustrates the iPad 2 presented in some form of employee training and testing process – something that would naturally take place shortly before a new product launch.”
Read more in the full article, with shot of the Toys R’ Us employee handout, here.
MacDailyNews Take: There will be no room given for pretenders to squeeze in with their derivative wares this time.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Fred Mertz” for the heads up.]
Toys R’ Us? Now that’s an interesting choice to carry the iPad. Even though it’s got a lot of kids’ games, it’s not something I necessarily think of as a “toy.” 😉
Toys R’ Us carries many types of educational devices, media and games… some “toys” are actually great learning tools, and with the right apps the iPad will rule…..
It’s also a great business tool. I can see it now:
Manager: “The budget department just approved our request for iPads for the production team. Steve, can you make a run with the corporate card and pick up our order at Toys R’ Us?” 😀
Someone at Apple is really thinking efficiently. Up next? Game Stop, baby.
It’s not that it’s a toy. But perhaps its the best handheld game machine ever put into the hands of a child.
Wow! iPad would make a nice “toy”!
Toys being sold in toy stores!? What next? Water gets wet!?
I will really get excited when Baby “R” Us start carrying it.
This is brilliant. Get the iPad in the hands of kids when they are young so they can grow up with it. The old “hook em while they’re young” tactic. There are more than enough educational apps for children to justify this purchase.
Yeah. Let em play with a huge slab of glass.
Radio Shack last week and now Toys R’ Us this week. Where is all this production supposed to come from?
Actually… if you saw my granddaughter using my iPad- it would amaze you. She’s 3 years old; she knows how to turn it on, unlock it, find her “apps” and play them. When she gets “lost”- I taught her to hit the “start all over” button (home) and she finds her way again and continues. She has learned her colors, knows how to write her name, can count to ten and she’s almost through the alphabet. Three years old. She’s totally engaged when it comes to learning… The iPad is the PERFECT educational tool.
Only Apple could make a product that both a 3 year old and a 63 year old could “master”.
Anyway- when she turns 4 in July- she will be getting my iPad as I just bought the iPad2.
If true tis is a brilliant move for all the reasons already mentioned.
I have no trouble picturing a child in the store with a parent or grandparent and throwing a temper tantrum: “I don’t want a truck or a dollhouse- I want an iPad.”
When more adults understand what a great learing tool the iPad is it will really accelerate sales for families with kids.