Apple introduces the iPad, Mac Tablet

[Raiden]

Apple introduces iPad

SAN FRANCISCO – Apple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs has unveiled the iPad, a tablet-style computer that resembles the iPhone, but larger.

"It's so much more intimate than a laptop and so much more capable than a smart phone," Jobs said Wednesday at the device's highly anticipated debut in San Francisco.

Apple had kept its "latest creation" tightly under wraps, though many analysts had correctly speculated that it would be a one-piece tablet computer with a big touch screen, larger than an iPhone but smaller than a laptop.

The iPad has a 9.7-inch touch screen. It is a half-inch thick, weighs 1.5 pounds and comes with 16, 32 or 64 gigabytes of flash memory storage. The device comes with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless technology, but no mention was immediately made of a data connection through a wireless carrier.

Jobs said the battery lasts for 10 hours, and that the device can sit for a month on standby without needing a charge.

The CEO demonstrated how the iPad is used for surfing the Web with Apple's Safari browser. He typed an e-mail using an on-screen keyboard and flipped through photo albums by flicking his finger across the screen.

Jobs said the iPad will also be better for reading books, playing games and watching video than either a laptop or a smart phone. The iPad comes with software including a calendar, maps, a video player and iPod software for playing music. All seem to have been slightly redesigned to take advantage of the iPad's bigger screen.

No price or information on availability was immediately announced.

Tablet computers have existed for a decade, with little success. Jobs acknowledged Apple will have to work to convince consumers who already have smart phones and laptops that they need this gadget.

"In order to really create a new category of devices, those devices are going to have to be far better at doing some key tasks," Jobs said. "Otherwise it has no reason for being."

Applications designed for the iPhone can run on the iPad. Apple is also releasing updated tools for software developers to help them build iPhone and iPad programs.

"We think it's going to be a whole 'nother gold rush for developers as they build applications for the iPad," said Scott Forstall, an iPhone software executive.

A new newspaper reader program from The New York Times and a game from Electronic Arts Inc. were also demonstrated during the event. The audience, which included many journalists and bloggers, clapped and even gave Jobs a standing ovation.

Shares in Apple fell $2.75, or 1.3 percent, to $203.19 in afternoon trading Wednesday. The Cupertino, Calif.-based company's shares have more than doubled over the past year, partly on anticipation of the tablet computer.

 

[Dark Sentinel]

good stuff..definitely gonna save up for this. before you know it, laptops will be obsolete

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

Tablet computers have already been around for a while, I dont see this making laptops obsolete. I'm sure given the Apple brand and it's marketing push it will find it's niche but I dont see this revolutionizinfg laptop computers. it's not like the iPhone has revolutionized cell phones although I do love my iPhone.

It's sort of cool that the iPad works as a phone as well although I'm not sure how practical it's going to be to lug that thing around as your phone everywhere?

 

[scifiwolf]

There's nothing overtly special about it. It's a big iPod Touch with 3G, that's it.

 

[the a1ant]

Will this allow you to save documents and videos to it's "hard-drive"? If they have that function, I will definitely purchase it, but if it's like the iPod touch (no download capabilities), then no thanks.

 

[Kevin]

I'm interested.

 

[Gamma Ray]

This thing sucks. How is this better than any other tablet that has come before it? Why would I want this instead of an iPhone? This has no place in my technological life. My phone works fine and my laptop provides me with the ability to keep it updated as well as work on more technical things. This "big iPhone" is too restricting to be used as a laptop replacement and too big to use as an everyday device that you can walk around with. I can't imagine typing up anything of significance on that (and apparently Apple can't either, since they're releasing a dock). I can see this failing. Hard.

And the name.... WTF?

 

[HerosOnFilm]

Honestly, the device opens the door to innovation. The iPad will undoubtedly get much use as a book-reader, and it opens the door to periodicals, and yes, comic books. Personally, I like the look and feel of paper comics, but I can't afford all the titles I would llike to read. Enter the iPad. With a Marvel Comics app, or DC, or Image, you can subscribe a la Netflix to a certain number of titles you would like to read, via a monthly or yearly subscription. Marvel already offers digital comics for $4.99 a month, but the iPad would be a much better platform in which to read them.

Am I going to run out the door in March and camp out in front of the Apple Store to get one? No. But I do like the possibilities it presents. Think of it as a luxury content provider; you can read a book (hopefully magazines), listen to music, and download a TV show, all while sitting on a train, in a coffee shop, or at the airport, etc.

 

[Malice]

Its an ipod touch that is huge...
Not very impressed...

 

[Poetic Chaos]

A lot of limitations on the iPod Touch when it comes to app use involves it's small screen size and low battery life. Simply making it bigger (both the screen and the battery) is actually a huge improvement to its practical use.

 

[Malice]

True...but without a serious change to the OS...I am not impressed...