It looks like all the leaked news and rumors of names like iSlate, iTablet all had us fooled. Its now officially been unveiled at the “Latest Creation” Apple event, Apple’s latest tablet computer will be called the iPad. Before unveiling the new mobile device, Steve Jobs stressed that they were not hiding some sort of netbook. In fact, he mentioned that netbooks were simply just “cheap laptops”. Instead, the Apple CEO presented the press a device which he felt sat comfortably between and iPhone on one end and MacBook on the other.
Having called it a tablet computer, it doesn’t necessarily run Mac OS X Snow Leopard nor does it run on iPhone OS. The iPad’s OS iPhone OS 3.2 however does seem to sport the best of both. Its an ultrathin, portable device which has been designed for users to handle emails, photos, videos, music, web browsing, ebook reading as well as gaming all in one.
While you might think that the iPhone is already capable of doing this, the iPad boasts much improved specs, to name a few, these include:
- 9.7″ IPS display
- Full capacitive multi-touch
- iPhone OS 3.2
- 1 Ghz Apple A4 chip
- 16 – 64GB flash storage
- Built in accelerometer and compass
- 10 hours battery life
- WiFi 802.11n (models equipped with 3G aka iPad 3G will be available from AT&T in the US, no contract, sim free and unlocked)
- Bluetooth 2.1 and EDR
So far from what we’ve learnt from the event, the iPad’s most interesting feature is probably the OS that it will run. Like we mentioned, its a crossover between an iPhone and Mac OS X. Softwares and apps which will run on the iPad include the likes of iPhoto, iWork, Mail, but in a much more user-friendly and accessible way. You’ll be able to change the background image of the iPad’s OS iPhone OS 3.2 like you would on a Mac, but unlocking the device remains exactly like that of the iPhone, by sliding. As you will expect, iTunes will be supported, but so will the App Store which means all the apps you currently have on your iPhone will be compatible. The way Apple has made use of the much needed extra screen space is by far one of the most sophisticated features of the iPad, this is clearly represented within the iTunes app and the Mail app.
The iPad won’t just be any tablet but also one capable of gaming…
Amazon’s fantastic newly developed iBook app will be a big hit for those of you who like to read on the go…
Its official that the iPad will be available in 60 days, while iPad 3G will take til June / July. Pricing starts from $499:
For those in the US interested in the iPad 3G, there will be two data plans available – $15 a month gets you 250MB of data plus acess to AT&T’s wiFi hotspots and $30 a month will get you unlimited data plus free access to their WiFi hotspots.
For those like us who are in the UK, I’m afraid we’re currently stuck without knowing how much the 3G model of iPad will cost us and which network it will be available from, but the fortunate fact seems to be that we won’t be tied down to a contract, we’ll keep everyone updated!
