After months of rampant speculation,
Apple Wednesday announced a touchscreen tablet computer, the "iPad" for consumers who want to take their movies, TV shows, music, games and reading with them, be it around the house or on the go.
The
Apple iPad, formerly referred to as the Apple Tablet, is a touch-pad tablet computer announced in January 2010, to be shipped in late March (for WiFi-only units) and April (for 3G units). It has internet capabilities running on either WiFi or 3G, and offers an optional dock with a full size mechanical keyboard.
The 3G is provided by AT&T, but comes unlocked with microsim cards on the GSM network. The 3G does not require a long-term contract.
Pricing scheme
WiFi Model
* 16 GB - $499
* 32 GB - $599
* 64 GB - $699
3G Model
* 16 GB - $629
* 32 GB - $729
* 64 GB - $829
iPad Specifications
* 1GHz Apple A4 processor (custom)
* 0.5″ thick
* 1.5 pounds
Display
* 9.7-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen Multi-Touch display with IPS technology
* 1024-by-768-pixel resolution at 132 pixels per inch (ppi)
* Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
* Support for display of multiple languages and characters simultaneously
Sensors
* Accelerometer
* Ambient light sensor
* Compass
Input and Output
* Dock connector
* 3.5-mm stereo headphone jack
* Built-in speakers
* Microphone
* SIM card tray (Wi-Fi + 3G model only)
Audio Playback
* Frequency response: 20Hz to 20,000Hz
* Audio formats supported: AAC (16 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), MP3 (16 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV
* User-configurable maximum volume limit
Battery and Power
* Built-in 25Whr rechargeable lithium-polymer battery
* Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video, or listening to music
* Charging via power adapter or USB to computer system
Other Specs
* 802.11n and Bluetooth 2.1
* Runs iPhone apps in window or pixel doubling
* Hardware-accelerated OpenGL graphics
* SDK released 1/27/10
* Syncs over USB through iTunes, just like iPhone or iPod touch, syncing photos, music, movies, tv shows, contacts, apps, etc.
* Offers touch-ready iWork version which includes versions of the Pages, Numbers and Keynote applications at $9.99
with touch-sensitive optical trackpad
