Over a month after it launched iPad 2 in the US, Apple on Wednesday announced availability of its next-generation tablet in India. According to the company, Indian consumers will be able to buy iPad 2 from April 29. The cheapest model with 16GB storage and without 3G has been priced at Rs 29,500. The top model with 64GB storage and 3G will be available for Rs 46,900.

Apple tends to roll out iPad and iPhone across the world gradually. On Wednesday the company said apart from India, iPad 2 will be available in 11 countries. According to sources, iPhone 4 is expected to be launched in India by service providers like Airtel and Aircel by the end of this month.

The company took flak earlier this year when it launched original iPad in India nearly nine months after the US launch. The iPad 2 launch shows Apple has learnt its lesson. It now considers India a strategically important market. "With so many other vendors launching their devices, Apple doesn't want to miss out on new users looking to buy their first tablet in India," said Vishal Tripathi, an analyst with Gartner Research. The pricing is very competitive.

It is expected that Samsung will launch its next generation tablets by the end of May. Research In Motion, the company that makes BlackBerry, is also expected to bring its tablet PlayBook to India around the same time.