The New iPad
Posted on January 27, 2010 by Matt
Slides posted by Matt, originally from Engadget
Article by Mark
Details are a bit a thin on the ground but Apple has announced the iPad, their tablet pc device. The keynote is not available to watch online so these are the details as blogged and tweeted by those on the scene.
Technical details are forming thus: a 9.7 inch touch screen, bluetooth, GPS, compass, with 16-64 gb of internal storage. Speaker, Microphone and 10 hours of battery life. Its half an inch thick. The processor is a 1ghz chip designed by Apple. Omissions so far seem to be: still no Adobe flash (that’s just software though) no mention of 3G support, and no cameras? Early adopters better hope that they don’t knock the next version out 6 months later with all the bells and whistles.
In terms of the interface as you can see it borrows much from the iPhone, in most cases adding a extra pad area to the existing screen you’d get on the phone. Its a bit of a cheat if you ask me but why reinvent the wheel? A nice big keyboard. Native apps look cool and the iLife style picture browsing looks sweet, but can it tag?
No mention of price or release date yet.
19:15pm – Ok it will also run iLife applications (Apple’s version of Office), priced $10 each. And as I predicted they’ve teamed up with numerous publishers to provide books. All your iPhone apps will run.
19:20pm- Ah there will be 3G models, starter deals via AT&T in the US but the device will be unlocked- so you won’t be bound to a certain network. Nice move Apple!
19:21pm- Priced starting at $499-699 for a non-3G, thats……£302-432? Daaamn thats cheap!
19:30pm- Ok that’s it, the top of the range 3G model will run you £512, that’s not too awful.
So finally an Apple device for the masses? Just £100 more than an iPod touch and comparable with most netbooks, as Steve said “75 million people already know how to use one”. I think Apple has really pulled it off with this one, its cheap enough that its within the grasp of kids or casual users and simple enough that almost anyone will be able to use it even if they have never used an iPhone or a Mac.
Comments (2)
I can see how the keynote could have gone.
Steve walks in and chats for a bit.
Steve announces the new product – the iPad.
He starts talking about it.
He’s interrupted by someone shouting “Is it just a big iTouch?”
He answers “Yes”
Everyone leaves the room.
Keynote over.
The Apple Keynote is about Steve Jobs holding and using the device regardless of what it actually is. They are proof that if you make a fuss you can build huge demand and after all thats good business. It’s always a masterclass in making and delivering a powerpoint though (sorry, Keynote).