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.

Amazon has just released the Kandle LED Book Light bringing much needed night reading to the amazing Amazon Kindle. The Kindle and most modern ebook readers mimic paper: that is they have no backlight. The text is black on light gray, just like books. The problem is, just like with books, you can’t really use the device in the dark. Amazon Kindle’s Kandle solves that problem. It also appears to work with other popular ebook readers. Looks pretty spiffy as well.

via Unplggd

According to Tech Crunch, Amazon may have one killer offer for some members. It’s not quite clear how Amazon is choosing who to extend this offer to but I sure wish I was one of them.

The basic gist of the offer is this: Buy a Kindle and if you don’t like it you’ll get a full refund and you get to keep the Kindle. Where do I sign up? The Kindle you get to keep is rumored to be branded by Amazon so I’m sure they hope you’ll end up using it anyway, and you will, the Kindle is amazing, and thus advertising their brand and device for them. I know I wouldn’t have a problem with that.

The eBook reader wars are heating up with the anticipation of a tablet from Apple. Rumors have Apple working with publishers to give them a bigger royalty share further hinting that the tablet may indeed be real. If true, we may find out January 27.

Amazon isn’t just sitting back and waiting to be steam rolled by Apple. Amazon recently upped their royalty split with publishers and authors and now we have news they are introducing an app platform for the Kindle. Lets face it, single use devices days may be numbered and apps really changed the game for Apple and paved the way for other companies to follow suit. Amazon’s apps will be in limited beta starting next month and there are some limitations, but this is a smart move in what’s becoming a very competitive market. Besides, wouldn’t it be cool to be able interact with twitter, blogs and other apps out there with your Kindle?

Paid Content has more details on the apps and limitations. Moco News has further news that Apple is meeting with top publishers in New York. They hint that it’s not about the yet to be announced tablet. I personally thing Apple’s ebook reader plans are software based and that it’ll work on the Mac, iPhone, iPod Touch and, if it ever becomes a reality, their tablet.