Apple CEO, Steve Jobs holds up the new iPad as he speaks during Apple's event in San Francisco.
After waiting what felt like an eternity, I came home today and got all up to speed on the big Apple press event. Today, Apple announced the iPad, Apple’s official entry into the still young tablet market. Steve Jobs and company demoed the iPad showing it’s many features and specifications. Thanks to Leo Laporte, Engadget, and Mashable, and MacMost, I feel as though I was a part of the event… even if it came five hours late. While it seems as it Apple has officially wowed us all again, they didn’t reveal anything that wasn’t previously speculated or tremendously revolutionary. What they have brought, however, is the Apple style and essence to the tablet market and in turn will probably far very well with this product.
The iPad continues several of Apple’s current styling trends, including the unibody concept, the “i” moniker, and the less is more mantra. The sleek lines of it’s unibody design fall inline with it’s cousin the Macbook and the all glass front, input buttons and most notably, Home button bring Apple continuity from the iPhone. Looking a little deeper, the all glass front with bold black bezel are styling queues borrowed from the current iMac and Cinema Display product lines.
Weighing in at a mere 1.5 pounds, and measuring in at roughly 9.5 by 7.5, the iPad is about the size of a magazine and has the weight of many books. Speaking of books, the iPad will feature an App, and store, called iBooks. Demoed with a stunning graphical interface, iBooks will be where you preview, buy and read your books, periodicals and possibly even some documents. The GUI resembles many of the popular eReaders already on the market, adding and utilizing the iPad’s 1024 by 768 pixel resolution and 9.7 inch LED backlit glossy screen. The iBooks Store will carry forward the format of the current App Store and iTunes, being the place to purchase your reading material.
Your content, which will includes support from iTunes will be sent to your iPad using WiFi or 3G. There is no wired data connection other than the 30 pin dock connector used to sync the iPad with iTunes on your Mac or PC. This is a disappointment for me, as it forces you to use wireless internet, which I do not prefer. 3G content will come from of course AT&T through two pre-paid data plans at 14.99 per month for 250 MB of data or 29.00 per month for unlimited with no contract required. The cool thing, however, is that you are not locked into having to use AT&T to get your 3G connection. Apple announced that the iPad will be an un-locked device, meaning that you can use a SIM card from T-Mobile, or other GSM service. Also, the iPad supports Bluetooth. This means that you can use your Wireless Apple Keyboard with the device.
Speaking of keyboards, in addition to the virtual keyboard, Apple with have a dock/keyboard accessory available for purchase. They will also have a camera kit that will allow to hook up you camera or load a SD card to transfer photos to the iPad, which does not have a built in iSight camera. Yet another disappointment. Additionally, Apple has an Apple branded iPad case that doubles as a stand for the tablet. I am sure by the time the iPad is available for sale there will be a ton of third party accessories on the market.
Available by the end of April 2010, the iPad will come in 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB WiFi and WiFi + 3G configurations starting at 499.00 and topping out at 850.00. Looks like there will be a model for everyone with a nice price point like that. The price of the iPad is a nice surprise to me, as I was thinking it would start at 999.00.
I have only scratched the surface of the feature laden iPad. Like all Apple products, it has a significant wow and cool factor, but at the same time leaves you wanting just a little more. Apple fanboys will be debating future updates from now forward, myself included. If I have the cash, I will be an early adopter. Do I need this device? No. Do I want it? Hell to the YEAH!
