Apple iPad launch day roundup: everything you need to know
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted January 28th 2010 11:22AM
posted January 28th 2010 11:22AM
The long rumored (and we mean long rumored) Apple tablet has finally arrived. Is the iPad as "magical" as the company hopes? Perhaps not, but there is a lot to this story beyond the obvious: A4 chip? Micro SIM? What's the deal with Flash? Since we know you're looking for the straight dope on the big reveal, and since this is what Engadget does best, we've thoughtfully compiled the last twenty-four hours worth of coverage in something we like to call a "list." Now sit back, put your feet up, and take it all in.
The liveblog
Impressions / hands-on coverage
- Apple iPad first hands-on! (update: video!)
- Apple's iPad keyboard dock, case and other accessories get the hands-on treatment
- Editorial: Engadget on the Apple iPad
- The Apple iPad: starting at $499
- 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
- Apple iPad event video now online
- iPad powered by custom 1GHz Apple A4 chip
- Apple's iPad keeping Adobe Flash away from your couch
- iPad can run all iPhone apps unmodified, new iPhone SDK out today lets developers tweak apps for iPad use
- iPad vs. iPhone... fight!
- iPad vs. iPhone: what does 3G cost you?
- Apple iPad tech specs: rumor vs. reality scorecard
- iPad or Kindle: will our wallets decide?
- iPhone SDK calls out nonexistent iPad cam, confirms split views and popovers are iPad-specific
- Apple iPad's 'Micro SIM' explained
- Apple iPad's user interface in pictures
- iPad won't handle GSM voice calls -- or will it?
- Apple's A4 is an ARM-based system-on-a-chip a la Tegra 2?
- iPad iBooks will be US only at launch?
@papla
That's not bad, it has the functionality of a modern photoframe and no more.
May be they can try to save this thing with new release of software before the launch.
@kris120890 agreed!
you know why steve didnt wanna make a netbook, because he wanted to make a netpad (and it turned out to be a not-pad)
no Flash, USB, GPS, HDMI, MULTITASKING, CAMERA, 16:9.....no this thing cannot be saved.
It is like Steve Jobs is trying to see just how much he can get away with before people call bulsh1t.
@kris120890
too late
@kris120890
iPhone OS 4 is due in a couple of months...... The iPad demo was running iPhone OS 3.2. Yeh, expect changes.
Engadget - 23 threads on the iPad (not counting this one)? There again, these threads attracted 10,000 comments. We're like bugs attracted to the pretty blue light. It's soooo beautiful - zap!!!
@brown like dookie +1
they should atleast have had a webcam on it, could have made this so much more useful, and so much better with any future upgrades (i hate how many of us taking "upgrades" for granted, multitasking on iphone hasnt arrived yet and cut/copy/paste came out very late)
@Canucker
A simple OS change cannot salvage it. The fact that it is missing critical hardware components to make it anything more than a 9" iPod touch with 3G in the spring, is embarrassing.
@kris120890
to: E N G A D G E T Not again!!! Do you know anything else besides Apple's stuffff???
@GenericMessage Apple has been making products missing critical components for years. They are making billions of dollars. One of you is wrong.
@inteller The problem with this device is that it is not a computer, if it were a Mac with this form factor rather than a huge iPod Touch it would have been a real game changer rather than just another device.
@brown like dookie I don't think this thing needs a complete overhaul. Add multitasking to iPhone OS 4.0 and that's a start. Then in 2011 the 2nd Gen iPad comes out with GPS and a front facing camera. As is it's a fail, but it's not hopeless yet. They did one thing really well, the multitouvh gesture based UI is pretty awesome.
@inteller "no Flash, USB, GPS, HDMI, MULTITASKING, CAMERA, 16:9.....no this thing cannot be saved."
No Flash and Multitasking could be taken care of in an update. Maybe iPhone OS 4.0? And Apple lifting it's reserve of Flash being on iPhone?
GPS it definitely supports, though. Check out the official spec page.
Having no integrated camera does hurt too, but at least there's a cable that will connect it to your external camera to pull pics and videos off. (Still kind of sucks, though.)
So no mention of McGraw Hill? What's going on there?
@kris120890 http://trendsbyminute.com
@inteller
You are short sighted and just think that there is only one way to do something.
no Flash - Yay? Flash is a mess, its definitely not something you want on your device. Who haven't had a browser crash because of flash raise your hand.
USB - Get with the times? Everything is in the cloud, get the dropbox app and you are good to go.
GPS - um..if the iPhone does, what makes you think it won't?
HDMI - There is no advantage between HDMI and a component cable. For the device that only support 1024x800. A VGA cable will output it perfectly well.
MULTITASKING - From a programmers point of view, its actually nice to know that your program has access to all the resources. This is not important in my opinion but one can argue.
CAMERA - iPad is not a phone replacement, who doesn't have a phone in their pocket that can take pictures, why put in something that isn't going to be used to bring up the price. When Video Phones become more popular, maybe the price of it will justify it
16:9 - 16:9 is good for only one thing. Movies. If you want to browse the web or read a book. 4:3 is much better. Think of how much space you see on each side of engadget and you will understand this.
It is like Steve Jobs is trying to see just how much he can get away with before people call bulsh1t.
- It is like everyone is trying to see just how much they can sound like they know nothing before people call bulsh1t.
@cobaltage
Its wonderful evidence that Apple is a marketing company first, and a electronics company second.
@brown like dookie Agreed. Btw here are 13 reasons why iPad is a FAIL :D http://www.gadgetine.com/index.php?pg=202&news_id=262
@brown like dookie Agreed.
My dream tablet. Still waiting for it...(HP, MSI, ASUS take note)
1. Windows 7
2. 1GB or 2GB memory
3. SSD drive or hard drive options
4. 7 - 10 inch multi-touch screen (1024 x 768 or higher)
5. Smooth HD content playback.
6. Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n)
7. Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR technology
8. Audio Jack - Out (3.5mm) and Audio Jack - In (3.5mm)
9. At least 2 USB ports
10. 1 Ethernet port
11. 1 HDMI and/or VGA
12. 1 or 2 camera(s)
13. Built-in speakers and microphone
14. Accelerometer and Ambient light sensor
15. Fingerprint-resistant coating
16. Minimum bezel all round (or minimum bezel on 2 sides only)
17. Thinnest lightest design possible.
18. Low heat
19. Mobile broadband option (no contracts)
20. At least 5-8 hour battery life
21. Quick & Responsive UI.
22. A $500 starting price (increases with options)
@Kaphis
You are short sighted and just think that there is only one way to do something.
"Who haven't had a browser crash because of flash raise your hand." And who hasn't had their browser crash because of crappy JS? My iPhone Safari crashes wayyyy too much. I would at least like the OPTION of installing flash.
"Everything is in the cloud, get the dropbox app and you are good to go."
Oh. So you mean put everything you need in "the cloud" and then go to another computer to say, print it out? I am surrounded by useful USB devices and I don't need an internet connection to use them.
"GPS - um..if the iPhone does, what makes you think it won't?" Maybe the spec/feature list?
"HDMI - There is no advantage between HDMI and a component cable."
Oh, other than analog vs. digital - which makes a large difference in LCD display crispness.
"MULTITASKING - From a programmers point of view, its actually nice to know that your program has access to all the resources."
Amazing. Apple could sell dog poop as the next steak and people would eat it up.
CAMERA - "When Video Phones become more popular, maybe the price of it will justify it"
Maybe, instead, with slate devices equipped with front cameras that video calls might become mainstream? And the price? There are plenty of margins in the iPad to drop in a front and rear facing camera.
"16:9 - 16:9 is good for only one thing. Movies. If you want to browse the web or read a book. 4:3 is much better. Think of how much space you see on each side of engadget and you will understand this."
Unless, of course, you turn the unit on the side and use it vertically. Then engadget is even easier to read!
"- It is like everyone is trying to see just how much they can sound like they know nothing before people call bulsh1t."
Apple makes good products and they make crap products. Not everything is a hit. But if you go out and buy it anyway like some lemming, then how can you expect Apple to want to improve or excel?
Amazing how people are so loyal to Apple - but make no mistake, it is a corporation that has only ONE goal... to take your money. Apple cares nothing for you. We would all be much better off if we banded together as consumers instead of fanboys for corporations. We have the voting power with our money to change the world.
@inteller
No Flash again, big ouch. It was awkward watching Steve Jobs show off the iPad's browsing capabilities and seeing the "?" placeholders. How can Steve *not* acknowledge that?
@MishkaGreen : A lot of ppl seem to have been expecting a computer in tablet form. I wish it was, but it isn't. I'm going to reserve judgement until I can play with it and know what I can and can't do with it.
To say the ipad is a fail because it's not a computer, no hdmi, no 16:9, microSD, etc, misses the point of this device. I still don't understand why ppl here want hdmi on it. I suppose they want to output to an HDtv but why? Not having one cable for video/audio a dealbreaker? Personally I only use hdmi for 1080p/blueray, otherwise it's overkill for me.
I think ppl need to rethink what this device is for and actually use it before writing it off.
@brown like dookie
You people have the wrong idea of what the iPad is.
The iPad is not a touchscreen macbook. Neither did Apple say it was.
The iPad is a netbook replacement. Let's compare it to what Apple says it's trying to replace and not compare it to our fantasy of what it should be. Let's compare it to what's considered one of the best netbooks out there, the Asus Eee PC 1000HE.
Yes, the iPad has limitations when compared to the netbook. However, the same can be said about the limitations of the netbook when compared to the iPad.
The question then becomes, which one would you prefer after you have considered the pros and cons of both.
Speed
Netbooks run slowly because the applications were designed for more powerful computers. That's what will make the iPad better that a netbook. The apps will be created specifically for this form factor and application will run faster.
Netbook apps will have to be re-writen for the netbook like Apple re-wrote iWork for the iPad. That's the only way the netbook will catchup to the iPad in speed. Yes Android will copy the iPad and create an appstore for touchsreen tablets and you will praise it for being open source.
Internet connection cost
Netbooks are used for the internet but the price of connectivity over 3G is double that of the iPad. Your $60/month netbook / laptop connection fee will cost you $360 more that the iPad every year. And there is no free wifi for you from the nations largest wifi hotspot provider.
Finger touch screen
As far as I know the iPad will the the first finger touch netbook like device on the market.
Third party apps
As far as I know the it'll have the most apps designed specially for a netbook like device with a finger touch screen.
Size and wight
As far as I know it'll be the thinnest and lightest
Design
As far as I can tell it looks better than any of the proposed finger touch tablet prototypes
No the iPad doesn't have Flash, or multitasking, or a webcam and no drag and drop file management.
Question is do these limitations justify paying $360 more every year for your connection fees, enduring the slow speed of netbooks and walking around with a bulkier, ugly device with no finger touch screen?
This is what the debate should be about. Not about your fantasy or what the rumors said it would do, but what Apples says it is trying to do - which is replace the netbook.
@inteller GPS is available on the 3G, multi-tasking and flash can be fixed with software upgrades/new apps, USB & SD card attachments (granted we are taking it in the ass by having to pay for them) So it's not a total loss...personally I think we all got our hopes WAY TOO high and nothing that Apple could have released would have been enough.
No camera is a bitch though..dumb move
@iWade2point0
Yawn... What else is on?
@Aaron Kali
Have you used a EeePC? They run pretty damn fast with Windows 7 on them; I am going to admit that the iPad interface runs smoother but a netbook isnt slow...
Seriously?How do netbook applications have to be rewritten? If an application runs on Windows and the netbook meets the requirements then the netbook can run the application.
Internet cost? You can get a verizon or at&t or t-mobile or sprint data plan for about $20 a month; granted its not pay as you go but you get the choice to use any 3G network you want.
iPad = first finger netbook? What? Have you heard of the Sony Vaio P? How about the ASUS T91 netbook/tablet? Again...Have you used a netbook?
Third party touch apps? If you have a touch screen and have Windows 7 all applications can use touch functions...Again...have you used a netbook?
Ipad; thinnest and lightest? The Sony Vaio P is technically thinner and lighter; but I am sure someone will try to contest that.
Stop making claims that have no proof. I doubt you have even used a netbook because of your incorrectly supported excuses.
Try using one sometime its about twice the capability and about half the price.
@inteller All of the sudden the HP Slate running a REAL os (windows 7) looks better and better.. Go HP
@Kaphis Just going to add a couple of comments to what Anatidae already said...
"no Flash - Yay? Flash is a mess, its definitely not something you want on your device. Who haven't had a browser crash because of flash raise your hand."
The amount of FREE PR0N websites that use flash based players would make the iPad sell millions upon millions. ;o)
"USB - Get with the times? Everything is in the cloud, get the dropbox app and you are good to go."
Are you saying Macbooks shouldn't have USB ports as well? Oh, wait...Get with the times? You must mean USB 3.0, right?
"HDMI - There is no advantage between HDMI and a component cable. For the device that only support 1024x800. A VGA cable will output it perfectly well."
Only that component can't handle 1080p. And the "It only does 1024 x 768" is just another shortcoming of the iPad, IMO. See next comment for more...
"MULTITASKING - From a programmers point of view, its actually nice to know that your program has access to all the resources. This is not important in my opinion but one can argue."
If you could multitask, a 16:9 / higher res screen could help you take advantage of this. Imagine having chat AND a web browser open AT THE SAME TIME!!!!
@Kaphis
Let me finish... :D
"CAMERA - iPad is not a phone replacement, who doesn't have a phone in their pocket that can take pictures, why put in something that isn't going to be used to bring up the price. When Video Phones become more popular, maybe the price of it will justify it"
If Apple could implement a camera into the iPhone OS without issues I think this would have mad it into the iPad. This option would cost Apple $2 and they could charge $50 for it and it would sell like hot cakes. A front facing camera would be huge. One word...Skype.
"16:9 - 16:9 is good for only one thing. Movies. If you want to browse the web or read a book. 4:3 is much better. Think of how much space you see on each side of engadget and you will understand this."
See my comment about multitasking on this one.
Every few years Apple releases a pile of poo and the iPad is the first one since Apple TV. Wait. No. Make that the MacBook Air. Yeah, people are still talking about that one. (sarcasim).
Hitler responds to the iPad:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQnT0zp8Ya4
@One Love
Archos 9 covers most of those, I believe.
@inteller also they don't even have the name "iPad" registered correctly. Looks like a battle for the name. Good call Jobs!
http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/28/apple-and-fujitsu-inevitably-caught-up-in-ipad-trademark-dispute/
@kris120890 No doubt someone will figure out how to load Windows 7 onto it.
@One Love
Dell Mini 5 is the only thing coming close to that!
@GenericMessage can you say dual core better GPU more ram larger touch interface, better monitor, built in microphone; and many features not announced that can be availed with the upcoming iPhone OS 4.0... but I agree the lack of camera and 16:9 is a huge let down. As for multi-tasking and flash support- the SOC in this deal has more power than the iPhone or I Touch 3GS, so it should be able to pull these things off. Likewise of course Apple has to include "something worthwhile" in the iPhone OS 4.... ding ding ding
@kris120890 After reading many of the 'day after the launch' articles – I have had time to reflect on why I would want this device. I am a heavy iPhone user – mostly the apps. – so to now have the opportunity to go for a major screen size increase – with all the familiarity of the iPhone – well that becomes the ticket I will buy for sure. However,I wish they would have included a web camera for Skype.
Details: http://bit.ly/apple-tablet-under-fire
@One Love a thin design for your 'dream device' is just not possible haha and the price. but you've got all the things on my list! =]
@Aaron Kali
Look, usually I would just leave you be, but there is just so much wrong with what you said, I have to respond.
"Finger touch screen
As far as I know the iPad will the the first finger touch netbook like device on the market. "
If you're going to make claims like this, do a bit of research. There are hundreds of finger friendly netbooks, slates, umpc's, MID's which have been available for YEARS (check out sites like www.umpcportal.com). There was also quite a number seen at CES this year, covered on this very blog.
So that begs the question, do you just skip over all non-apple related articles or are you just so blinded by fanboyism you really do believe that apple have invented something new here?
"Third party apps
As far as I know the it'll have the most apps designed specially for a netbook like device with a finger touch screen.
Size and wight
As far as I know it'll be the thinnest and lightest
Design
As far as I can tell it looks better than any of the proposed finger touch tablet prototypes"
I'm sorry but does "As far as I know" really mean "What Steve Jobs told me is"
as for Apps - if you've got a netbook running windows, there are millions and millions of programs to download and most will run without any issue on a netbook.
Size and wieght - hmm i do think its the thinnest but i think the archos 9 might be lighter
Design - Really thats a personal opinion that you have to decide upon for yourself. I personally dont like the looks of the oversimplified, huge-bezel sporting ipad. Again, look at the archos 9, it has bezel only on 2 sides and where there is a bezel, there are buttons and useful things.
Basically, what I'm trying to get at here is "As far as I know" you're an apply fanboy and a moron
It's an interesting device at a good price point. I don't have a need for it, but I can see a lot of less tech-needy people loving it. I may consider future revisions of it when additional features are added.
That was your mr nimblewick wrap-up.
Except launch day is in 2 months.
Rename this article "Epic List of Fail" and it would be more accurate.
@Zatx
lol yay! it's a huge ipod touch costs a lot more and isn't as portable and oh yeah it doesn't multitask either.
wait... someone remind why i should care. oh right, i shouldn't.
@Zatx
while that iPad fails, the following iPad is total win.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1010049615274470573&hl=en
@Zatx
The UMPC's "success" has proven how disconnected nerds are from reality. They do everything nerds are clamoring for short of having an Apple logo, but we're quick to forget how horrible it was in practice. Why would a company clone a product regarded as one of their competitors biggest failures?
@Zavrion
"The UMPC's "success" has proven how disconnected nerds are from reality. They do everything nerds are clamoring for .... "
Blah blah blah.
Here comes the "oh that stuff is just for nerds/geeks" meme again.
Amazing how many drones picked up on it as if they think they came up with it all on their own.
It reminds me of the "sweaty gym demographic" line that they used to convince us that the iPod Shuffle without buttons was a great idea too.
@Zavrion: Why are you even bringing up UMPCs, when the truth is that it's netbooks (the wildly successful offspring of UMPC in a lot of ways), that are the raison d'etre for the iPad. Well, netbooks and ebook readers.
The problem is the iPad isn't as good as an e-ink display for reading books, and it's not as functional as a netbook for web surfing, composing email, or doing actual worky work. It's an also ran in both the netbook and e-reader departments.
In short, you can replace neither an ebook reader nor netbook/laptop with the iPad, so it holds little value-add to a consumer, unless the consumer is an Apple loyalist who wants to own it only because of it's branding.
@Zatx
new title: "Apple iPad - Everything you DONT need to know because it's newly disappointing."
@brown like dookie
Not just iPad but also with Engadget. They are full of it to consider a one liner post "iPad vs. iPhone... fight!" as "In-depth".
Sorry, Engadget, for the harsh words. But you do have a commitment to your legions of readers. I am not saying that bias or strong opinions are bad, but you really went overboard this time. Your coverage of iPad is much worse than Fox News' coverage of Tea Party movement.
Camping out in line to buy an iPad = LOSER!