iPad hits 3 million around the world in 80 days

Apple yesterday said it sold three million iPads in just 80 days, giving CEO Steve Jobs something else to crow about just days before the company ships the new iPhone 4.

Sales for the iPad have been strong since its US debut on April 3 despite shortages that led Apple to delay the international release by a month. In July, the hot tablet will roll out to nine more countries.

“We’re working hard to get this magical product into the hands of even more people around the world,” Jobs said in a statement.

Demand, while strong, appears to be picking up. One million iPads were sold in the first month — and the 2 million mark was hit in less than 60 days. The last million were picked up in just 20 days.

The latest update prompted analysts to hike their sales forecasts for Apple and the touch-screen tablet after demand for the device blew past even the most bullish estimates.

Shares of Apple rose 1.1 percent to $273.85 on a down day for the rest of the market. Apple’s stock has doubled in the past year, and the company is now No. 2 in market cap behind just ExxonMobil.

Meanwhile, the iPhone 4 is also shaping up to be a big seller. Apple and its exclusive service provider, AT&T, will start shipping the phone this week. Apple took in a record 600,000 pre-orders on June 14, the first day the companies began taking requests.

The iPhone could get another boost next year if Apple makes a version of the phone that is compatible with Verizon’s network early next year as analysts at Barclays predict. Barclay’s Ben Reitzes estimates Verizon could sell 9 million iPhones in 2011.