The big day has finally arrived and… Apple’s Tablet does exist! The iPad has officially been born.
According to Steve Jobs, the device will be far better than an iPhone or netbook for browsing the web and at this morning’s announcement claimed “it’s the best browsing experience you’ve ever had.” The iPad will also feature most of the standard apps we have become used to on the iPhone platform, including maps, contacts and a calendar. Apple also announced a new e-book store and a version of iWork for the iPad.
Price and Availability
The base level iPad with 16GB of storage will retail for $499. The 32GB will cost $599 and the 64GB version will sell for $699. (All WiFi enabled.)
The higher-end versions including 3G connectivity will cost $130 more.
The Wi-Fi versions of the iPad will go on sale in 60 days, and the 3G models will go on sale in about 90 days.
3G Connectivity
Some versions of the iPad in the U.S. will come with 3G connectivity over AT&T’s network.
One plan, which will come with 250 MB of data will cost $14.99 per month; the unlimited plan will cost $29.99 per month. These plans will come without contracts and can be activated right from the device.
For the rest of the world, Apple is still working on making deals. The iPad, however, will come unlocked and users will be able to just put in their own SIM cards.
Hardware
The iPad weighs 1.5 pounds and features a 9.7-inch IPS display (the same size as a Kindle). The device features all the latest wireless networking features like 802.11n, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR.
The iPad is powered by a 1 GHz Apple A4 chip and is offered in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB configurations of flash storage.
Other hardware features include an accelerometer, compass, a speaker, microphone and a 30-pin connector.
The battery, according to Apple, will last for about 10 hours and the device will be able to remain in standby mode for one month.
Software
All the standard apps like the calendar and email apps have been redesigned for the larger screen. The new interface, from what we have seen so far, looks extremely crisp and has been greatly simplified to accommodate the multi-touch interface.
iBooks App and iBooks Store
As rumored, Apple also launched its own e-book reader today. This new application, named iBook,includes a built-in iTunes-like e-book store. Apple already has deals with five publishers, including HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster and Penguin.
Books can include images and video. Apple hasn’t announced any standard prices for these books yet, though some of the ones that appeared on screen were priced around $14.99. E-books will come in the ePub format, which could mean that the app could theoretically be able to read files from the Sony and B&N e-book stores, too.
.
iWork: Office Apps for the iPad
Besides the new e-book store, Apple is also launching a version of iWork for the iPad, which features a new version of KeyNote, Numbers and Pages. All the apps have been redesigned for the smaller screen and the multi-touch interface. Slides, for example, can now be rearranged with just a few simple gestures, and images can be rotated by simply using the same gestures users are already familiar with from the iPhone.
The iWork apps will sell for $9.99 each.
Accessories
Initial accessories include a keyboard dock, a standalone dock, and a case.
New Software Development Kit
Also announced, and released, today is the new iPhone SDK Beta 3.2.
Start developing the next generation of innovative applications for iPad with iPhone SDK 3.2 beta. iPhone Developer Program members can download iPhone SDK 3.2 beta today.
Is it what you expected? Less? More? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
via Apple & ReadWriteWeb
UPDATE: Link to watch the Steve Jobs iPad Keynote & a hands-on video demo of the iPad from Engadget
