The Apple iPad was showcased on January 27th with lots of multimedia discussion. The details of this device are now available and the basic reviews are being reported.
The design is tremendous and as predicted the iPad has been identified as a vast iPhone. The screen consists of a large 9.7″ LCD display with various push buttons on the edges. The iPad is very slim at just 1/2 an inch thick – similar to the iPhone.
The iPad functions very like the iPhone. You slide to unlock the unit and the display contains the usual Apple images – Mail, Safari, iPod, iTunes and Youtube among others.
The iPad will be able to operate all the active iPhone apps as well as the numerous iPad particular applications that are certain to to inundate the marketplace. You may operate all the iPhone applications on the iPad in either full mode or at the size you would usually use for the iPhone.
The iPad represents the most advanced in Multi-Touch engineering but on a display bigger than touch screen fans have ever had available. In addition,, the iPad is much slimmer and less heavy than any laptop. This is Apple’s attempt to participate in and seize the e-reader market place and on first impression the iPad may well put up a big challenge to the market authority of Amazon’s Kindle, in particular for the light reader of magazines and more glossy texts. It remains to be seen whether the lighter and more portable Kindle will continue to dominate the marketplace for smaller paperback book readers. Many have hailed the iPad as the device that will unite all variants of media and it is true that all the major media companies are eager to sit at the iPad table.
Coinciding with the launch of the iPad, Apple unveiled 3 recognized iPad accessories. Obviously it will not take long before accessory makers like Griffin and Belkin begin to release their versions of keyboards, docks and cases.
iPad Keyboard Dock
great like a typical dock, it will charge your iPad. You will similarly be able to use it to synchronize to your computer, and provides an sound connector to link up your iPad to a normal stereo. $69
iPad Dock
If you are happy with the onscreen keyboard, you can simply purchase a normal docking station. A normal dock offers the comparable features – the power to sync, an audio recording jack and 30-pin connector, and recharging capablenesses, but does not include a keyboard. USD29.00
iPad Case
iPad Case offers a triangular kickstand that props the iPad up at convenient angles — vertical for viewing video, and at an angle for typing. While it feeling like leather, it’s said to be made from a soft, rubbery microfiber substance. Cases are one of the most hot accessories, and you will be drowning in alternatives long before the tablet actually starts to be sold. $39.00
Specs
- 1 GHz Apple A4 chip
- 16 – 64 GB of Flash storage
- Bluetooth 2.1
- 802.11n
- 10 hours of battery life
- Speaker, microphone and 30-pin connector
- Fully multi-touch
- 9.7 inch IPS LED backlit LCD
- 0.5 inch thick
- 3G UMTS/HSPDA and GSM/EDGE data (optional)
- Assisted GPS and Digital Compass (3G version only)
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- VGA out support or AV out via dock connector and converter cable
As is to be required of any Apple item, the iPad feels brilliant and with a cost starting at $499 it will surely be the must have widget of 2010.