Apple iPad Tablet Price, Release Date and Specs Confirmed
January 27th, 2010
Apple today took the wraps off of their much-hyped iPad tablet computing device. As predicted, the iPad works sort of like exactly like an iPhone on steroids, and is focused on media consumption, entertainment and educational usage. Not a whole lot of surprises here, but the iPad still looks like a sweet computing and media gadget – especially if you don’t already have a netbook.
Let’s start with the hardware: The iPad will come packaged in a svelte 0.5″ thick package with an aluminum body and glass screen, and weighs in at 1.5 pounds. The screen is a bright LED backlit IPS LCD, measuring 9.7″ diagonally.
The screen on the iPad offers a sharp 1024 x 768 resolution, which is plentiful for a display of its size. That said, the 132 pixel-per-inch density isn’t as sharp as say, the Skiff e-Reader. As expected, it’s a full multi-touch screen.
The iPad is powered by Apple’s very own A4 CPU, running at 1GHz. This chip is said to be very powerful, and requires very little electricity to keep it ticking along. In addition, the iPad will include everything you’ve become accustomed to with your iPhone 3GS – an accelerometer, ambient light sensor, and a digital compass. The Wi-Fi + 3G model will also include A-GPS and cellular data capabilities, while the cheaper Wi-Fi only model will not.
There’s even a special iPad keyboard dock coming out, which will let you use the iPad instead of a netbook PC, and you’d rather not use the on-screen keyboard.
There’s a built-in rechargeable battery that can crank out up to 10 hours of media playback and Wi-Fi internet access, so runtime should be plenty for most users. But if you were looking for the weeks-between-charges features that e-Book readers offer, you won’t want to ditch your Kindle or Nook just yet (just wait for the iPad 2.) The iPad also has a built in microphone, speakers, and a 30-pin dock connector just like its little brother.
You’ll be able to play high-def video at up to 720p/30fps resolution H.264 video using an external cable, but when watching videos on the iPad screen, you’ll be limited to 1024×576 on-screen for widescreen content, since the display is designed more for computing, gaming and book reading than for movie watching.
In terms of apps, the iPad comes pre-loaded with a full version of Safari for web browsing – and can handle full-size web pages with aplomb. That is, unless they require Flash. Apple, you really need to give in to Adobe and embrace Flash again. I know it could compete with the App Store, but now that you’ve got a device with a full-screen web browser, it’s inexcusable that it doesn’t support Flash.
There’s also a Mail app that’s on par with what you’d find on a desktop computer. I also like how the iTunes experience that’s on board is very similar to the full desktop app.
Photo browsing looks like it’ll be a breeze with the built-in gallery manager (which is sort of like iPhoto in a portable form-factor). And while there’s no built-in memory card reader (boo!), Apple will be offering a separate camera connection kit for pulling images from digital cameras via USB or an SD card.
The iPad will also include all of the other usual suspects including an iPod app, YouTube, video player, notes, calendar, contacts, and access to the App Store for downloading the same apps that run on the iPhone, as well as apps that are iPad-specific. And iPhone apps can be run either at original size, or blown up to full screen mode (althought I’m not sure how ugly apps that use bitmapped graphics will get in this mode).
One big change from the iPhone and iPod Touch is the mobile iBook store. This will offer numerous full-size books, magazines and newspapers from major publishers. While you don’t get the battery life of a Kindle or Nook, you get a full color screen that you can read in the dark – which is awfully nice.
Apple has announced that iPad pricing will start at $499 (USD), with the Wi-Fi only version hitting late this March, and the Wi-Fi + 3G models to come in April. When all is said and done, there will be 6 available configurations:
- Wi-Fi: 16GB ($499) / 32GB ($599) /64GB ($699)
- Wi-Fi + 3G: 16GB ($629) / 32GB ($729) /64GB ($829)
There are alot of things to like about the iPad, but many things that are disappointing to me. I would have thought a face mounted camera would have been great for video chat, and there’s no good way to get your high-def video off of here and onto your TV. And the lack of Flash support is just downright ridiculous at this point. They also neglected to add multitasking support, so bouncing between applications won’t be as smooth as on your MacBook. Still, as an entertainment device, my curiosity is piqued sufficiently that I will probably pick one up when it hits the Apple Store this Spring.
You can check out more details on the iPad over at the Apple website.
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Categories: Gadgets GPS + Navigation Media Players Mobile Tech Technology Video Video Games
Tags: apple e book handheld ipad multi touch portable tablet thin
ya it sounds pretty nice but its only 4 GB. even my nano is 16 GB.
BTW, the carrier for the 3G data plan will still be AT&T, but at least there will be no contract required for data access.
I might actually skip the 3G version and go with the Wi-Fi one – especially if I can eventually tether to my iPhone. Only time will tell, I suppose.
Maddi: it’s not 4GB, it’s 16, 32 or 64GB.
Not sure where you got that idea.
Very cool. I can see students bringing these to class in the future, using them for books, taking notes, etc. I’ll probably hold off buying it until the price comes down. I’ll have to settle with my iPhone 3gs for my entertainment for now
They super-size the iphone and add some features. This is like the DSi LL again. Definitely not something I would buy… I’ll just stick to a netbook…
But that said, the power of fanboys and Apple’s name in general is so high that this will undoubtedly be a success.
I was actually saving up for this, but now I see that it’s just too specialized for me. Seemed to me like Apple couldn’t decide between making a full-blown multimedia device and capitalizing further on the App Store’s success. No multitasking, no USB ports, and no flash? Hopefully future revisions will be much better than this thing.
Yup. We can use in schools and colleges for Notes. Cool gadget..Thx 4 info.
computron
No sell here. It reminds me of the iPhone on steroids and I already have an iPhone. Plus a Kindle, a laptop, desktop and an iTouch. Why would I need an IPad??
And why would I even consider getting another device that only works with ATT? I already have enough problems with them via my iPhone!
Nope. Not worth $500 for a larger version of the iPhone.
It’s Catch-22: everyone will be better off when Flash is finally dead and buried, but until that day, those same people want their Flash. Apple is currently the only company that stands a chance of dealing Flash a mortal blow, and since better, more open alternatives are available, I hope they succeed.
I get your point, but Flash is supported by over 98% of all browsers out there, so it’s become a ubiquitous technology. And it’s not like there aren’t open source tools for creating Flash if you don’t want to pay Adobe a dime. I just think Apple is scared that Flash will impact App Store sales, and I think that’s wrong. It’s sort of like if they were worried about free music on the internet hurting iTunes. Heck, they’re really the only ones to counter that trend by offering discoverability, ease of use, quality. And on the App Store, there’s a huge incentive (70% of transaction) to indie developers, so until Adobe has a Flash app store, that’s not a threat to Apple either.
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Really? Where the hell did you get iPads from already?
They havent even started seling them! Not till march!
http://www.ipadreleasedate.net says its coming out in april..is this true?
Hi Guys,
i had a question for you guys, Now that ipad Touch, is out in the market, so i wanted to know that i have lots of PDF files – i wanted to know if i can import them on to the ipad touch, and secondly is will i be able to read the PDF’s on the iPad touch. kindly help me on this info………
Azam
Hi Again,
I mean the PDF files which i read them on the E-Book reader like Sony or iRex, so will i be able to read the same PDF files at ease on the Ipad touch………now reading the PDF files on the irex is cool because its big screen helps to see the files very clearly……..Can you please help me on this…
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One of my favorite is the iBook store, I have spend so much money there.
I have also made quite a bit submitting little ebooks
-Dwayne
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I love my ipad its so cool..the best Christmas present
I’ll donate ten of my ipads to 10 lucky people from USA
joke of course
how much did you buy yours for?