After nearly a decade of rumors and speculation, Apple's finally unveiled the iPad. It's a half-inch thick and weighs just 1.5 pounds, with a 9.7-inch capacitive touchscreen IPS LCD display, and it's running a
custom 1GHz Apple "A4" chip developed by the P.A. Semi team, with a 10-hour battery life and a month of standby. It'll come in 16, 32, and 64GB sizes, and it's got the expected connectivity: very little. There's a 30-pin Dock connector, a speaker, a microphone, Bluetooth, 802.11n WiFi and optional 3G, as well as an accelerometer and a compass. There's also a
keyboard dock, which connects underneath in the portrait orientation, support for up to 1024x768 VGA out and 480p composite out through new dock adapter cables, and a camera attachment kit that lets you import photos from your camera over USB or directly through an SD reader. The device is managed by iTunes, just like the iPhone -- you sync everything over to your Mac. As expected, it can
run iPhone apps -- either pixel-for-pixel in a window, or pixel-doubled fullscreen -- but developers can also target the new screen size using the updated iPhone OS SDK, which is available today. The 3G version
runs on AT&T and comes with new data plans: 250MB for $14.99 and an unlimited plan for $29.99 a month contract-free. Activations are handled on the iPad, so you can activate and cancel whenever you want. Every iPad is unlocked and comes with a GSM "micro-SIM," so you can use it abroad, but there aren't any international deals in place right now -- Steve says they'll be back "this summer" with news on that front.
It starts at $499 for 16GB, 32GB for $599, and $699 64GB. Adding 3G costs a $130 per model, so the most expensive model (64GB / 3G) is $829. The WiFi-only model will ship in 60 days, and the 3G models will come in 90.
Hey, check out our first hands-on right here, and here's all our additional coverage:
Live from the Apple 'latest creation' event
iPad powered by custom 1GHz Apple A4 chip
iPad can run all iPhone apps unmodified, new iPhone SDK out today lets developers tweak apps for iPad use
Apple's iPad keeping Adobe Flash away from your couch
Apple reveals iBookstore and app for the iPad
Apple announces iWork for iPad
Apple iPad 3G service plans on AT&T, $30 for unlimited data
iPad has optional keyboard dock, camera connection kit and Apple-designed case
iPad vs. iPhone... fight!
Apple iPad first hands-on!
iPad vs. iPhone: what does 3G cost you?
posted January 27th 2010 2:19PM
@HighestRanked well man, I don't know who you are but I seems you're a huge fan of Apple and doraemon... Thats your right but there is users here just like me who are into new tech since a long time and are able to find out the good and the bad things from a new gadget or whatever you call it. ipad had some good points but globally, there is no innovation at all.
the App store is to iPad as Xbox Live is to the 360. The console wars (especially 360 vs.PS3) has shown us that software outweighs hardware. You could rip apart the 360 for not having a built-in wireless adapter, blu-ray functionality, free online play etc. etc. like the PS3 but when it comes down to it--360 has all the best games...games that you can play with your friends because that's the console they have too...and why do all your friends have it too? because it has MORE and BETTER games.
My point is that the iPad is the same way with apps.
You sacrifice certain things (some of which many of you are upset about) but in the end it's undeniably a better experience overall. You can be upset that it doesn't have this or that, but compared to what?? this is where the console analogy breaks down, because there is no PS3 in this equation...there's f*cking NOTHING else like this device outside of Apple that even comes close to having as much good SOFTware, and the hardware will only improve--not to mention certain things like flash and multitasking can be fixed with software updates.
yes, the reports of apple's demise are greatly exaggerated.
no way i'm paying $500 or $800 for an ipad!
oh well but if maybe anyone actually likes this and wants to try to get one for free, i found a competition on twitter. http://twitter.com/#search?q=%23gfi
I feel totally cool. I already own the iPad Mini. Which has not been announced yet. And i have owned it for a year or so.
It's very simple. You go up to someone stupid enough to buy a non portable ipod touch/ laptop without the keyboard, grab it from them and run like hell.
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/proactol-review-does-proactol-diet-pills-work-for-weight-loss-1707237.html
Those who think the name is a poor choice may have forgotten (or maybe are to young to know?) that the same thing was said about "iPod" when it was first announced. Naysayers claimed people would associated it with 1950's style horror/science fiction B movie pods containing evil aliens & things like that.
People, the bezel argument is silly. You're all looking at this the wrong way. If the thing had less bezel, the screen would NOT be bigger. That would require a higher price point and wouldn't fit into their goal of a $499 starting price. Less bezel could only mean smaller overall size of the device, bringing the perimeter closer to the screen to shrink the bezel. But reducing the overall size by 1/2 inch would make the iPad worse because then you'd have to give the OS some complex algorithm to know when to ignore accidental finger touches at the edges of the screen. You really want to waste CPU cycles on something like that?!? The bezel makes it easier to hold and pass around. The bezel is completely necessary for a device like this. You don't need one on a phone because you hold a phone by the edges easily in your hand.
I don't think that the iPad is a FAIL, but the name sure is. The biggest reason is because it sounds too close to iPod, and internationally speaking that is a problem. For example, in Japan they will not be able to say the iPad without it sounding like iPod, naturally that is. The way English speakers say iPod now, sounds like how the Japanese will say iPad. I think there is an opening in the marketing department of Apple. I am really shocked and let down by this name and by the lack of thought behind it.
lol at the people actually liking it so far. NO USB? NO CAMERA? NO MULTITASKING? NO KICKSTAND FOR LAYING IT DOWN? NO FLASH!?!? AT&T EXCLUSIVE (with paying more for 3g option)? LOW STORAGE SPACE and NO EXPANDABILITY?! at least you can do iwork, and the battery is ok... for now. This is a big iphone, with the exception that it does less. MEGA FAIL. Wait for a few months when it is actually a good product.
Does anybody else think Steve Jobs is looking much healthier in the photos?
@westcoast
Try slowing down and actually reading next time, lol. Maybe then you will actually figure out who is actually sticking up for the device and who is bashing the device. The funny thing is that your calling other people morons, lol.
The internet, it never ceases to amaze me that some of you actually even have the intelligence to power up a computer and are actually able to log on at all.
I think the iPad will be a killer device.
I love the idea of holding a webpage in my hand like a book or magazine.
Also, don't hate it until you see what cool apps they make for it. I can imagine that you will see some truly killer apps come out that will change even the most skeptic internet troll's view of this device.
I think it is truly something revolutionary and I will definitely be picking one up at launch (and probably another for my parents to use as well).
PS: Every bathroom should have one of these! Taking a s*** is going to be even more enjoyable than it is while playing with my BlackBerry.
I'm not really turned off by the bezel. Perhaps if it were just a wee bit thinner, the device would be more desireable, but as it is, I like the looks. More importantly, I am totally blown away by the performance of the device. Simply, w0w.
Good day, I'm in love with my Nexus One - superphone ( just updated yesterday -OTA- its so much better now about the 3G signal & more faster charging time ) - we still have the 2g iphone & 3gs but were using it as MP3 player in our cars - 09 RIDGELINE & 09 PILOT - I called my friend who's working on HTC in Houston - (he's senior engineer-the best guy to ask about software & phones) ( USA-HTC repair center is in Houston,Texas ) he divulge something to me. We moved from California for GOOD - he worked with APPLE before & myself with Honda R&D and now we are in Texas ( hes in Houston, I'm in the best city in the USA - AUSTIN,TEXAS). Here's the big scoop guys, GOOGLE wants some share on HTC board & they will invest in the company for more products to be made by HTC for them, like the ultra advance tablet & more advance phones that is way better than the so called OLD TECHNOLOGY iPAD& iPHONE, who are just good in aesthetic appearance with APPLE logo on it ( i'll bet all my money that whatever piece of crap they will make, people will buy it because of the name APPLE ) BUT if it is EMACHINES that even can do anything & will make your life easy and happy, still people will not buy it because its EMACHINE, people did you get it??? WAKE UP!!! Thats all for now... Take care buddies & gurlies... God bless y'all
Good day,
I'm in love with my Nexus One - superphone ( just updated yesterday -OTA- its so much better now about the 3G signal & more faster charging time ) - we still have the 2g iphone & 3gs but were using it as MP3 player in our cars - 09 RIDGELINE & 09 PILOT -
I called my friend who's working on HTC in Houston - (he's senior engineer-the best guy to ask about software & phones) ( USA-HTC repair center is in Houston,Texas ) he divulge something to me.
We moved from California for GOOD - he worked with APPLE before & myself with Honda R&D and now we are in Texas ( hes in Houston, I'm in the best city in the USA - AUSTIN,TEXAS).
Here's the big scoop guys, GOOGLE wants some share on HTC board & they will invest in the company for more products to be made by HTC for them, like the ultra advance tablet & more advance phones that is way better than the so called OLD TECHNOLOGY iPAD& iPHONE, who are just good in aesthetic appearance with APPLE logo on it ( i'll bet all my money that whatever piece of crap they will make, people will buy it because of the name APPLE )
BUT if it is EMACHINES that even can do anything & will make your life easy and happy, still people will not buy it because its EMACHINE, people did you get it???
WAKE UP!!!
Thats all for now...
Take care buddies & gurlies...
God bless y'all
I just ordered 47 of these to use as digital picture frames throughout my house.
This is such a disappointment. It's just a big fat iPhone. If I wanted an iPhone I'd go out and buy an iPhone!
damn its Mac's Ipad (maxipad)! DISAPPOINTING
Oh wow, Vellie actually called it a maxipad. How original. Like we haven't heard that a 1000 times over. Nobody can accuse you of being creative, that's for sure.
Its unbelievable how easy some people are entertained. Time to get out of moms basement and find a girfriend.
@airhonda
Sorry but nobody is buying any of your BS. The whole I have a friend line is so old. Wow, Ultra Advanced Tablet. Is that like the super duper crazy powerful tablet that I have been hearing about?? Cant wait to see those suckers. They must be pretty ULTRA ADVANCED!!!
LOL, I swear I feel like I am still on IMDB's Avatar board with all of these lame attacks. Get a life people. Its sad that you guys have nothing better to do than post comments on a board for a product that you obviously have no interest in. It must be strangely liberating having nothing of value to do with your time.
The iPad does multitask to a degree. while I watch a movie I get notification of incoming email. I can flip to email then back to my movie without missing a beat. I can browse the web while I listen to music. okay maybe a webcam would be nice but I personally don't use one and if it was nessary I would use my desktop unit. Flash would be nice but you can see navigate around many flash sites still. of course those flash games are out of the question. USB? I spend a more time using my iPhone and need never came up. I've used many products and most of them have all the bells and whistle but the case breaks a DVD tray stops working. etc etc. Apple products are solid. Why make a product that every other manufacturer is making?try sonething different. Think outside the box. Apple is taking this in a direction others won't go. If your so bent on this being a fail then why post a comment. Go back to your hp. No you just need to tell everyone your opinion it's crap and feel your going to sway the judgement of others based on your criteria of what a good product is. Get a life and let those of us who have our own opinions make our own judgement based mostly on our own requirements. These posts are like bad CB radio. killed by people who nothing better to do than annoy the people who actually wanted to use it. times change, technology changes but people never change.
ps emachines are junk based on personal experience. will never buy one again. call me a n apple rabbit but based on my experience I'm quite satisfied with the products.BUT like everything manufactured these days, they also have their drawbacks. The question one should ask is does this meet my needs and do I feel there is value in my money? No? Then move along..... Next article!
My thoughts on the new tablet: http://bit.ly/b5qYIf
It does have some nice things about it (size, look, multitouch, battery) but i must say i was expecting more!!!
What about HDMI, a proper OSX so that i can install Firefox atleast.
A camera would be great to use Skype.
I think apple is keeping some of the stuff for the so called update/upgrade. I was planning to buy this but now i will wait and see what the next version will bring.
Great Scott!
So many people here with short memories... not surprising considering we live in an age of ever decreasing attention spans. The first ipods and iphones also had no shortage of critics. Too expensive, limited functionality, not enough features, blah blah blah. No one needs any of this technological wizardry, it's all eye candy and Steve Jobs and Co know this very well. They will sell millions of ipads as they have already sold millions of useless non essential ipods and iphones. Stupid people just can't help it. Eye Candy Consumerism at its best.
As for the Microsoft Crybabies, keep on crying. One day you'll become dehydrated and run out of tears lol.
I've read Steve is an A-hole, but the Mossberg interview shows nothing of this behavior... ask Walt.
A-hole Steve: youtube.com/watch?v=upzKj-1HaKw
Or would you prefer
WTF Balmer: youtube.com/watch?v=EHCRimwRGLs
BOYCOTT!
I propose a boycott of the iPad until Apple allows Flash onto it and enables multitasking, which it seems to me are the most common & reasonable complaints that folks have been having about it. There lots of other changes that I'd like to see, but these could be done immediately and would sway me back to buying the machine.
If you agree, please help spread the word.
I think not having Flash was a serious mistake. I have never owned an Apple product but I might seriously give this a try. Of the current ebook readers, my pick is the nook, but thus far, it is the only one I have hands on except for the Sony Touch Edition. I would love to try a Kindle but you can't find them in brick and mortar stores.
Rick Blackmon
Webmaster: http://ebookreadernow.com