UPDATE4: Apple Unveils iPad Tablet Computer, iBooks App, Starts at US$499

At its “Latest Creation” media event in San Francisco today, Apple unveiled its long-awaited, much-rumored tablet device, the iPad. It goes on sale worldwide in 60 days (90 days for 3G-enabled models) for US$499-$829, depending on the model.

The device, which resembles a very large iPhone, offers a touchscreen that can re-orient based on the way the device held (a la the iPhone), an onscreen keyboard, a new email app, and access to YouTube and YouTube HD. Its interface is similar to that of the iPhone.

In announcing the device, Steve Jobs positioned the iPad as filling a space between the iPhone and a laptop, saying the iPad is aimed at
web browsing, email, photos, video, music, games, and e-books. He also positioned it as a direct competitor to netbooks.

The iPad is just 0.5 inches thick and weighs only 1.5 pounds. It sports a 9.7-inch screen. The iPad’s other hardware features include:

  • A capacitive touchscreen
  • 16GB- 64GB Flash memory storage
  • A brand-new processor - the Apple A4, at 1Ghz
  • 802.11n WiFi
  • 3G cellular data connection on some models
  • Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
  • Built-in mic and speakers
  • Accelerometer and compass
  • 10 hours battery life, 1 month standby

Wireless Data Plans

Though not required, the iPad has two 3G wireless service plans: 250MB of data for $14.99/month and unlimited data for $30/month. Service is offered through AT&T and is pre-paid, rather than tied to a contract like the iPhone. IPad 3G models will be unlocked (meaning they’re not exclusive to a single carrier). International data plans are expected to be in place in June/July, Apple said.

Apps

The iPad features a new e-book reader app, iBooks, by Apple. The app will feature content from five major publishing companies at launch: Penguin, MacMillan, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, and Hachette. The app features an e-book store similar to the iTunes Store for music and video. Books will come in the ePub file format.

Apple also announced an iPad version of its iWork productivity suite. Each of the three iWork apps - Pages, Keynote, and Numbers - will sell for US$9.99.

Today’s announcement also included demos of games from EA and Gameloft, and apps from Major League Baseball and the New York Times, though these apps don’t have definite release dates yet.

The iPad will run current iPhone apps and includes a feature to scale up existing apps to work on the device’s larger screen. Developers can also rewrite their apps to take advantage of full-screen with the new iPhone SDK announced today.

Accessories

Apple also introduced three accessories for the iPad: a dock, a dock with a keyboard, and a protective case.

UPDATE4: Apple Unveils iPad Tablet Computer, iBooks App, Starts at US$499 originally appeared on About.com iPod on Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 at 13:18:11.

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