Pre-orders for its digital reader iPad 3G would be delayed to May 7 starting with orders placed on Monday, U. S. technology innovator Apple has said.

According to the reports of InformationWeek, the company said it would honor the shipment commitment of late April for any pre-orders placed before Monday.

It was further said by Apple that the delay on new orders was prompted by demand "far higher" than the company expected, especially in the Wi-Fi only version of the tablet computer, which sells for $499. To date, Apple has sold a half million iPads since the launch April 3.

It would delay the iPad's debut in international markets by 30 days, Apple already has said. It now expects to offer the iPad to Europe and Japan at the end of May.

It was further noted by InformationWeek that Apple will soon have more competition, as Google, Microsoft and Hewlett Packard have the so-called slate computers in various stages of development. (With Inputs from Agencies)