News Apple Announces iPad

I'm sure there will be plenty more info later as it develops..

Apple today unveiled its iPad, after years of rumors that the company was building a tablet-like device. Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduced the device today during a special media-only event, saying it is "way better than a laptop, way better than a phone. It's the best web experience you've ever had."

Jobs began the introduction by discussing what kind of device might fit between a smartphone and a laptop. "We've wondered for years as well—in order to create that category, they have to be far better at doing some key tasks... better than the laptop, better than the smartphone," Jobs said. "Now, some people thought that was a netbook—the problem is that netbooks aren't better than anything!"

Then Jobs brought out the iPad, which looks much like an oversized iPhone. It features an interface that essentially a hybrid between Mac OS X and iPhone OS. In addition to browsing the web, included applications also give users access to iTunes media, including HD video content, calendars, photos, contacts, and more. The built-in e-mail client also looks like a hybrid between Mail on the Mac and Mail on the iPhone. Text entry is done with a large, on-screen QWERTY keyboard, which seemed very responsive during Jobs' demo.

The iPad hardware itself is built using a custom Apple-designed chip dubbed the "A4," running at 1GHz. It also has a beautiful 9.7" IPS LCD display with full multi-touch input. It also packs in 802.11n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1 EDR, accelerometer, compass, speaker, microphone, 30-pin dock connector, and between 16 and 64 gigabytes of storage, as well as a 10 hour battery capable of a full month of standby time. All of that hardware in contained in a case that is just half an inch thick and weighs just 1.5 pounds.

Source: ArsTechnica.com

Updated:
ArsTechnica Hands-on first impressions
  • There is no camera on the iPad.
  • There's no way to lock the screen into landscape or portrait mode. Some apps lock the screen (like on the iPhone) but there's no universal way to lock the screen as you might on a Kindle or Nook.
  • The landscape and portrait switching works in all 4 orientations, so you could read upside down if you liked.
  • There's a sleep/wake button on the top, just like an iPhone. Also, there is a headphone jack and a speaker on the top (and one speaker on the bottom).
  • There is a volume rocker switch on the side, just like the iPhone. You can also silent the device.
  • No brightness controls outside of the system preferences, just like on the iPhone.
  • You can use any bluetooth keyboard you want, instead of Apple's keyboard dock. You could use the case/stand with your existing bluetooth keyboard.
  • You cannot use a bluetooth mouse, however.
  • The screen resolution is 1024x768 (4:3).
  • It can play 720p movies from iTunes.
  • The case itself is some crazy soft rubbery microfiber material that no Apple rep could or would identify.
  • The case/stand is $39.
  • The case is very flat and solid like a Kindle case, but you can use it to prop the iPad up into a triangle so you can watch movies or use it like a laptop.
  • The keyboard dock is $69 and the normal dock is $39.
  • The browser is like Safari on the iPhone but it has toolbar favorites like on the Mac.
  • It's much easier to click and navigate on the iPad than on an iPhone, just by virtue of it being larger.
  • Size/weight is very comparable to a Kindle DX, which is twice as heavy as a Kindle 2.

edit: and Apple's product page is now live

Apple - iPad - The best way to experience the web, email, & photos
 
Last edited:
Pricing and availability is out
apple-tablet-keynote_180.jpg


Wi-Fi models shipping in 60 days
3G models shipping in 90 days

3G service plans through AT&T
No contracts required
$14.99 for 250MB/month
$29.99 for unlimited
Free use of AT&T hotspots
 
N
I think the prices are ridiculous. And even the device, why is it so amazing?
 
The $499 Price point is the same as the Crunchpad/JooJoo fiasco for what looks like a much sleeker device and closer availability.

Will be interesting to see where the HP Slate comes in around price wise.

Pricing wise, you can't really price it at the same price point as an iPhone and you can't get too close to the macBooks.. i think they priced it where they could
 
Whatever it is it's too pricey for me. You shouldn't have to pay a mobile provider for service or for a data plan. You should be able to just hook it up to your existing ISP.
 
Jewelzz, it does do Wi-Fi which could be used on any home Wi-Fi ISP connection, as well as various Wi-Fi hotspots.. also, it is technically, unlocked 3G so you dont' necessarily HAVE to use AT&T.. just need a 3G provider that uses micro-SIM cards and supports the the 850, 1900, 2100 MHz frequencies that the iPad supports.

All this being said, I agree that it is probably something I won't really be looking to purchase anytime soon. The iBook was actually fairly slick from what I saw and the fact that they ported iWork over was a bit of a surprise for me.. but, nothing that I really want to be buying right now.
 
It's smaller (length/width wise) than a piece of paper.. ~7.5" x 9.5"

I don't think it's too big really.. (obviously your opinion is different :) )

Technical Specs
Size and weight
Height:
9.56 inches (242.8 mm)
Width:
7.47 inches (189.7 mm)
Depth:
0.5 inch (13.4 mm)
Weight:
1.5 pounds (.68 kg) Wi-Fi model;
1.6 pounds (.73 kg) Wi-Fi + 3G model

I do kind of agree with Adm. Michael - it's basically an oversized Touch in a lot of ways with some added capability. I would have liked to have seen something that blends more computer into the iPod/Touch form
 
Theres nothing bad about the iPad (not really)

But theres nothing great about it either. Theres no reason to buy it over a laptop for the same price
 
Jewelzz, it does do Wi-Fi which could be used on any home Wi-Fi ISP connection, as well as various Wi-Fi hotspots.. also, it is technically, unlocked 3G so you dont' necessarily HAVE to use AT&T.. just need a 3G provider that uses micro-SIM cards and supports the the 850, 1900, 2100 MHz frequencies that the iPad supports.
Yah, realized after I said that, that it's WiFi capable and you don't need to use AT&T or other cell service to use it.

Theres nothing bad about the iPad (not really)
The name is bad. They could have come up with something that doesn't remind you of a sanitary napkin :dead:

I'll take a MacBook Air over the iPad any day.
 
All I know is at this moment if I had to choose between the iPad and a netbook I would choose the netbook.

At least a netbook has ports you can use without an adapter...iPad even needs an adapter to plug in USB items.
 
I want to play with it a little bit before I decide .. It has a resolution of 1024x768, and there is a full keyboard dock for it; as well as touch keyboard. So technically, it is a netbook ...
 
It's an iPhone for old people like me who can't see the display or work the buttons on the tiny iPhone.

Of course oldfarts like me won't waste $700 dollars to replace a $200 netbook, $20 cell phone.

Which means it should be a great success.
 

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