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

 

iPad is a larger iPhone/Touch that has a more polished build of iPhone OS (3.2). It's rather sexy but really only geared toward folks that don't own an iPhone/Touch or have the money to blow. I think comparing this to a netbook/laptop/desktop is not a fair comparison at all. You saw all it's purposes in the trailer, they didn't try and make it out to be a laptop/netbook replacement at all. It's an entertainment device - not a work station.

 

I've been wanting a tablet for a while, but this isn't it. I hear a lot of good laptop and netbook manufacturers will have tablets out soon. I'll take that over iPod Touch: Big Edition.

 

I have enough trouble trying not to drop my iPod Touch without a skin (case is too smooth) I wouldn't dare try holding one of those :laugh:

The name is bad. They could have come up with something that doesn't remind you of a sanitary napkin :dead:

:laugh:

 

My brother told me a funny little story, he was at work and using his iPhone and a coworker walked by and in a very sincere and excited voice said "Oh wow! You have the new iPad Nano!" heh.

I personally do not see the market for the iPad at all. I think the device has so many overlaps with existing technology that is significantly cheaper that you would have to be a fool (imo) to spend money on this thing. Granted it has a larger screen than most netbooks, but is that really worth a 200 - 300% premium? It falls somewhere between a smartphone and a laptop but without the portability of a phone and the multitasking capabilities of a laptop. So it's either going to be a very very niche market, or I lose all hope in man/women kind if this thing sells well. :suprised:

 

Pee-wee Gets An iPad! from Pee-wee Herman and Eric Appel - Video