Apple issued a statement today announcing that they have postponed the release of the iPad internationally due to unexpectedly strong demand in the U.S. Apple has sold 500,000 units in the first week and have taken “a large number of pre-orders for iPad 3G models.”

Apple will announce international pricing  and begin accepting pre-orders on May 10, with delivery starting in late May.

Before I read their announcement I was hoping that there would be mention of a more concrete date for iPad 3G shipments in the U.S. But, this was strictly about the international launch.

“Late April” and “late May” seems to be as specific as they’re willing to be right now.