The frenzy that is iPad mania has resulted in 3 million units sold in just 80 days according to a statement from Apple this week, all this despite a number of setbacks, including a brief ban of the iPad by the Israeli government and a data breach incident among iPad users at wireless provider AT&T.

The 3 millionth iPad comes less than three months from the device’s introduction in the US, keeping its original breakneck pace that saw 2 million units sold in less than 60 days. The iPad, now available in the UK, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain and Switzerland, will be rolled out in nine more countries in July according to Apple CEO Steve Jobs.

Apple said that 11 000 applications are already available for the iPad, in addition to 225 000 pre-existing apps – most of them compatible with iPad – from the company’s iTunes store.