Meet the Apple iPad
Here's an early look at Apple's new tablet computer, called the iPad. Apple approached the device with the intention of taking e-readers to the next level, adding a new category to laptops and smartphones. Existing e-readers "don't do anything better," the company said. So the iPad is designed to marry music, video, mapping, e-readers and e-commerce. I'll keep updating as we get new info from the company's news conference:
-- prices start at $499, and go higher for more capability; that's much lower than anyone predicted. Two data plans available through AT&T, one as low as $30 per month
-- first models will be shipped in 60 days
-- bookstore called iBooks includes offerings from publishers including Penguin, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Macmillan, and Hachette. Sample book was priced at $15, signaling the pricing revolution noted earlier on Read Street.
-- book reading experience looks very simple and clean -- I love the faux shelf; here's a video from Gizmodo. (ditto for newspapers and magazines)
-- slick design mimics the minimalist Apple design of the iPhone and iPod Touch.
-- can bring an "almost life-size" keyboard onto the screeen
-- can watch TV shows and movies
-- access to email, music, photos and mapping
-- works in portrait and landscape modes
-- 1.5 pounds in weight, half-inch thin
-- 9.7 inch display -- will run almost every iPhone app
-- wi-fi on all models, 3G for an extra charge
An Apple moment: showing off the iPad's mapping feature by locating sushi restaurants near the San Francisco arts center where the news conference was taking place. "Looks like a giant iPhone," one commenter said.
Comments
I can't keep up with this tech stuff. It's wearing me out. I try to stay on top of the stuff constantly coming out, it's becoming a losing battle. Exhausting....
Posted by: ruth | January 27, 2010 2:48 PM
Simply amazing!!!! but can i use a pen on it??? and where is the webcam???? would be amazing to sit and skype anywhere in the world with anyone. Simply Amazing. will be waiting for geneeration with pen and webcam capabilities!!!!!!
Posted by: petey | January 27, 2010 4:17 PM
Apple's new iPad will be worth it once the price comes down a bit. It's a great product though.
http://www.ipadlot.com
Posted by: Fretboard | January 27, 2010 4:49 PM
Well I wanted it for grad school. Thought it would be a great way to take notes in class and do other things when class gets boring. However I don't see a very solid way to take notes here - maybe with some kind of App+Keyboard, dunno - but its not as much like a netbook as I had hoped, thats for sure.
Posted by: William Franceschine | January 27, 2010 5:16 PM
I can't wait to see Amazon's response. This is really fun.
It's interesting that the publishers are talking about higher ebook prices, but that will only work if buyers are willing to pay those prices. It takes two, you know!
In defense of the Kindle, it's nice to know that the wireless charges are covered by Amazon.
I can't wait to see the iPad up close and personal, though. But don't tell my Kindle. She tends to get very jealous.
Anyway, waiting for the Tablet has been a real boon for spoof writers. I just published my third in two weeks, "Apple Tablet iPad Is Born, It's a girl!" http://www.thespoof.com/news/spoof.cfm?headline=s8i67844
Posted by: Gail Farrelly | January 27, 2010 5:25 PM