If you're planning to line up this Friday morning to get your hands on the new iPad, Apple has just announced its stores will be open at 8AM local time this March 16th. This isn't a huge surprise; the company has traditionally opened early for various major product launches, but it's good to have the official word on when the highly-anticipated tablet will be officially available. If the past is any indication, we'd strongly advise you to get in line significantly earlier than 8AM for you to have any hopes of walking away with Apple's latest.

Apple stores in the following countries will be open at 8AM local time this Friday, March 16th: US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland and the UK; along with Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.