Apple Releases iPad – Everything You Need To Know
27. Jan, 2010 
4 Comments
I’ve been watching the event live via engadget today and I’m so happy to report that the iPad is real. I’ll update this post later with pics and the actual specs once we have them. And the date when we can all start camping.
Specs:
- .5 inches thin
- 1.5 pounds
- 9.7 inch IPS display
- Full capacitive multitouch (naturally)
- Apple has it’s own chip for this: 1GHz Apple A4 chip
- 16, 32, 64 GB Models
- Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
- WiFi 802.11N
- Speaker, Mic, 30 Pin connector
- Accelerometer
- Compass
- 10 Hour battery life, over a month on standby!!
And it’s very, very green by industry standards.
Apps
Apps will need to be updated to make use of the display. Some will be able to take advantage of faster processor, memory and graphics for gaming as well. All the current apps can be downloaded directly to the iPad already! They are releasing the SDK that supports the larger screen today. Of course, Apple’s native apps have all been updated already and look amazing.
After strong showings from New York Times, EA and MLB, Apple is introducing it’s ebook reader: iBook. I’m hopeful they play nice with Amazon because it’s my favorite store for buying goods. Obviously apple prefers me to buy from them, so hopefully there will be some middle ground. The Kindle’s price will have to go way down, if you ask me, to stay competitive. It’s now a niche device thanks to the iPad and the iBooks app looks pretty good. They appear to have deals with plenty of major publishers so getting books shouldn’t be a problem.
They will also be releasing iWork for the iPad. The challenge seems have been horse power and user interface. They seem to be happy with what they’ve come up with and these would make great additions to the iPad, truly making it into something more office/mobile friendly. I hope they add the iLife suite as well. iWork looks pretty good on the iPad.
Pricing
- WiFi
- 16 GB – $499
- 32 GB – $599
- 64 GB – $699
- WiFi + 3G
- 16 GB – $629
- 32 GB – $729
- 64 GB – $829
There will be models with 3G, not just WiFi. Currently, it’s about $60/month for laptop data plans. The iPad has 2 pricing options:
- $14.99/month for up to 250GB
- $29.99/month for UNLIMITED!
Both are with AT&T, with no commitments! It also includes free use of AT&T WiFi hotspots. That’s slick.
I’m not sure what version I’ll end up getting. Most likely the 16 with the $14.99 monthly pricing. For what I want to use this for, that should be more than enough.
The iPad uses the GSM microSIMS and comes unlocked! You can use it on any carrier.
When Can I Buy an iPad
Apple says “We will be shipping these in 60 days. 3G models will ship in 90 days“. Emphasis added.
Wow! It’s going to have an external keyboard.
I predicted it wouldn’t have bluethooth keybaord support and I think I’m still right. But it will launch with a dock that does included a physical keyboard. Super slick. Which means there is hope for bluetooth keyboards for both the iPad and the iPhone. This means that the doc might actually work with the iPhone. Nice. Update Chris in the comments pointed out that Macrumors says “The iPad also supports Bluetooth keyboards.” I’ll be happy to be wrong on this one. Looking for sources on this bit, haven’t seen any other coverage of that point yet.
The iPad Site is now online. h/t to @beley.
Author: Chrispian (33 Articles)
I'm the editor of MobilityHacks.com and have been in the computer business since 1992. I'm currently the development manager at a local web publishing firm. I'm a big fan of technology, gadgets, web development and just general geekery.
I can’t wait to get my hands on one… I’ll probably buy one for taking to conferences (about the same price as a nice netbook) but it’s nothing revolutionary.
I think it is revolutionary, or at least a a giant step in that direction. It’s not so much because of Apple, but the tablet design, user interface and ultra portability is going to be another game changer. At less than 10″ and about a 1lb, there’s no reason to not have this with me nearly all the time. That means using it for more and more.
But, it’s just the beginning. The iPhone started the revolution, this is just another step along that path. Not just for Apple, but for everyone. Most notably in the portability and user interface (gestures) areas.
And I really can’t wait to get one!
According to Macrumors “The iPad also supports Bluetooth keyboards.”
Chris, I sure hope that’s true! I’ll dig some and see what I can find out. I’d love to be wrong on that one. And thanks for commenting.