SAN FRANCISCO - Sales for Apple's third generation iPad has hit record in the initial days after the device was on the market, Apple and carrier AT&T said on Monday.

The new iPad went on sale on March 16 in the United States along with nine additional countries and regions.

"We had a record weekend, and we are thrilled with it," Apple's chief executive officer Tim Cook said Monday at a conference call to announce a dividend and stock buyback program, without giving details about the weekend numbers.

Shortly after the conference call, AT&T said the launch of the new iPad set a new single-day record for its sales and activations of Apple's tablet device.

"On Friday, March 16, AT&T set a new single-day record for its iPad sales and activations, demonstrating robust demand for the new iPad on the nation's largest 4G network," said the mobile carrier in a brief announcement.

The new iPad is Apple's first 4G-capable device, featuring retina display, HD camera and faster processor. Before hitting stores, the new iPad pre-sales were sold out worldwide in two days.