3G iPads, new AT&T data plans, arrive on April 30

In light of all the controversy about the lost iPhone prototype which was found and reportedly sold to the media, there was a brief loss of focus from Apple's iPad tablet yesterday.

Don't worry, it's back.

Today, Apple announced that the 3G-equipped iPad will be available in U.S. retailers on April 30 at 5:00pm. Customers who pre-ordered their 3G iPads should expect them on their doorstep the same day.

The 3G-equipped iPads are a little more than $100 more expensive than their Wi-Fi only counterparts, and have a suggested retail price of $629 for the 16GB model, $729 for the 32GB, and $829 for the 64GB. And since they will require a mobile data plan from AT&T, the wireless network operator will begin selling prepaid data packages on the 30th as well.

AT&T has not yet announced the details of these prepaid data plans, but we expect to hear from the carrier in the next few hours. We'll update this story with statements from AT&T as they arrive.