Yes, Apple announces its first tablet computer: The iPad
January 27th, 2010, 10:15 am · 87 Comments · posted by Tamara Chuang, a.k.a. The Gadgetress
It’s official. Apple’s CEO Steve Jobs has announced the company’s first tablet computer: the iPad.
What can you do with it? Surf the Internet, send e-mail, share pictures, watch videos, listen to music, plays games and read eBooks, Jobs told the media crowd who showed up in San Francisco for this morning’s big announcement.
This is definitely what was rumored. And it does look like a giant iPhone. Jobs went on to show numerous publications that have built content fit for the iPad including the New York Times (which also made an appearance on stage), Time and National Geographic.
UDPATE: Some prices revealed: $499 for the 16 GB version. The 32GB is $599 and 64GB is $699. These are all Wi-Fi versions. With 3G, add $130 to each model so the prices jump to $629 $729 and $829. Data plans start at $14.99/month for 250 mb of data or $29.99 for unlimited data. AT&T is providing the service plus offering free Wi-Fi hotspot access.
The iPad begins shipping in 60 days for the non 3G versions. The 3G versions will ship in 90 days.
>> Watch Apple’s iPad video HERE.
It has interesting tweaks on the usual computer/phone features like calendar, Google Maps, contacts. Some featured services already built for iPad: Fandango movie tickets and MLB.com‘s baseball videos.
| Take the poll: | |
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| OK. You’ve heard and read the buzz. We know it’s early — hey, you can’t even buy one yet — but we have to know …
So, will you buy one?
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Jobs had a whole segment on, what else, iBooks. Harper Collins, Penguin, Simon & Schuster, Macmillan are some of the publishers named. It uses the ePub format, an open format so you might be able to upload your own books. According to iLounge.com, Jobs said:
Apple will go further than Kindle with a full-screen eBook reader called iBooks. iBooks has a bookshelf that inclues covers on a shelf. You can see two pages or one page at once as you prefer, and there’s a button at upper left to access the new iBook Store. Fully integrated with app to let you discover, purchase, download eBooks right on your iPad.
SPECS: It has Internet, of course. There’s also Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (802.11n), some will have 3G wireless service built in (see prices above). All 3G models will be unlocked.
It’s very slim at 0.5-inch thick and weighs 1.5 pounds. There’s a 9.7-inch LED-backlit display and it has a virtual keyboard. It’s powered by a 1 GHz Apple A4 chip. It will be available in 16 GB, 32 GB and 64 GB. There’s an accelerometer, compass and microphone. As for battery life? Apple says it can get 10 hours.
The iPad comes with a dock connector to USB cable, a 10W Power Adapter and documentation. Additional accessories will include a dock, a keyboard dock, a full-sized keyboard and cases. Full specs now on Apple’s site.
But what’s this? The iPad syncs over USB like the iPhone, iTouch. No wireless synching?
Big app news for iPhone fans: It can run all 140,000 iPhone apps unmodified out of the box reports Engadget. Apps can also be enlarged to double the pixels. Games also are expected to be big. Gameloft and Electronic Arts officials were invited on stage to show what they can do with the iPad. “Need for Speed” on the iPad anyone? You can also sync all the iPhone apps you own so you don’t have to pay twice.
Also works with iWork, Apples software for spreadsheets, documents and other office stuff. Interestingly, there’s a special data-entry keyboard with just the number pad a few key buttons to input spreadsheet data easier. See photo. The work apps will be $9.99 each.
What it doesn’t have: No Web cam, no memory card slots (not a surprise), no multi-tasking so you can’t stream radio while working on a document. And it’s not a 3G phone, but it has 3G data service. No mention of a Verizon/Sprint-compatible 3G chip. What else, anyone?
Official images below, click to enlarge:
(I’m not in San Francisco and am monitoring the live coverage from the major tech news sources. I’ll be updating this post as the news comes in. Stay tuned.)
Earlier:
On Twitter: Search for the tags #apple, #appletablet, #itablet Click HERE for a stream of Tweets about the pending Apple news.
If you want to catch the coverage live, here are some live blogging options:
- iLounge
- Cnet
- Engadget
- Gizmodo
- AppleInsider
- All Things D
- Wired
- MacNN
- Ars Technica
- AppleTell
- SlashGear
- CrunchGear
- Financial Post
- The Apple Blog
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“Do we have what it takes to establish a third category of products? We think we’ve got the goods. Because we’ve shipped 75 million iPhones and iPod Touches, 75 million people know how to use an iPad.” Steve Jobs
I think the poll needs to have another option – “I’ll be waiting for the 2nd or 3rd generation.” (price goes down, quality goes up)
Added!
Waste of Technology.
agreed. a step backwards for apple.
iPad 3G model costs an extra $130. So $499 for 16gb, $599 for 32gb, 64gb for $699 plus $130 if you want 3G connectivity under no-contract plan. Awesome.
$829 total price for the premium 64gb iPad with 3G connection. Unbelievable. Awesome.
250mb of data over 3G = $14.99 for the iPad. $29.99 for unlimited. Optional plan for different models. All on AT&T, wifi hotspots included.
“We will be shipping iPads in 60 days, worldwide availability of Wi-Fi models.” It’ll be another 30 days beyond that for 3G models. 16gb has no 3G
EPIC!!!
Stop trying to sell this garbage. It’s a rip off of all rip offs. You must work for AT&T Rip Offs or something.
google and HTC had plans on introducing their own tablet PC… too bad they just released an anouncement that they are cancelling the project
That’s fine…I’ll settle with my wonderful Nexus One.
looks cool, but it looks like it would be too fragile, really easy to break or damage it accidentally
It’s an iNewton.
Can you imagine holding that thing up to your ear for a phone call?
I heard they will have the “iMaxipad” for $1500 it will have 1 usb port
I was told its a bit crampy and irritable but I have A Nagging since that it will inevitably work with you . plus and built in reminder to take the trash out .
Wow J- you need to get rid of that huge Apple B**ner. Seriously. They are not as cool as you make them out to be. They are just a name. People just want what everyone else has, that’s the only reason they are successful. They aren’t nearly as innovative either. Every other company on the planet has made products that do what apple products do, often better and cheaper. But because they don’t have a cool name and overused marketing like Apple, people don’t buy them. This product is GARBAGE. It’s an over-sized ipod touch. How many more touch screen devices do we need? It’s totally overpriced for what you get, especially considering that most netbooks are a lot cheaper, and do so much more. Even regular laptops are coming down below 500 bucks. Why would I pay over 800 dollars for something that only has 64 GB of storage space and runs on the crappy AT&T network? Give me a break.
I guess I am what some would call an “Apple Faithful”. I have tons of their products and honestly, their most useable product is Apple TV, yet hardly anyone uses it… That being said, this iPad is Apple jumping the shark. It’s nothing more than an over-sized iPod touch. I can’t really see this having any practical application in the real world. Where are you going to carry it? In your giant-sized iPad pocket? So you’re going to need a bag to carry it in; Might as well carry a cheaper and more powerful netbook or even MacBook Air with you. I really can’t see this being a home run for Apple.
Content is king and this thing does not deliver ANY content that isn’t already available on cheaper products. Even Apple sells cheaper products (iPod touch and iPhone) that have the same content capabilities. They build the iPad using the iPhone OS, that was a major mistake.
Haha, it doesn’t even have flash still. Agreed, POS device.
@Rocco
I TOTALLY AGREE!!!
IT IS JUST ANOTHER CRAPPLE PRODUCT!!!
Very disappointing. It had so much potential.