The iPad – Now Available At… Wal-Mart?

Before you leap into your Ford Windstar and gun it for the strip mall, I should correct myself – not ‘now’, but ‘soon-ish, perhaps’. The retail goliath is expanding its electronics retail section, and apparently, it’s looking to stock the self-proclaimed ‘magical’ device on its shelves by the end of 2010.

“We anticipate being able to have the iPad later this year,” said Gary Severson, senior vice president of entertainment for Wal-Mart.

Now, this brings up a some questions. First of all, considering Apple has yet to announce any retail partners for the iPad, and Wal-Mart is using words like ‘anticipate’, aren’t you jumping the gun a little, Gary? You don’t want to disappoint the everyman.

And that’s another thing: Apple has a widely agreed-upon lack of interest in targeting the average consumer, especially in terms of price point. This is, of course, the polar opposite of Wal-Mart’s philosophy, which is utter affordability. However, it seems this ‘electronics retail expansion’ could be large enough in scope to basically render Wal-Mart the new Best Buy, so who knows?

I for one would definitely be down with the ability to buy an iPad and Cheez-Its in the same room. Greasy cheese-fingers, gracefully multi-touching my brand new magic iPad… Would be a goddamn dream, it would.

[Via 9 to 5 Mac]