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The Apple iPad‘s announcement has confirmed months of speculation. Journalist and analysts are patting themselves on the back for a job well done, and we can finally stop reading about all those iTablet/iSlate rumors. But what does Apple’s new tablet mean for you, dear readers?
What is it?
The iPad is a 9.7″ touchscreen tablet. Featuring the same software found on the iPhone, the iPad is basically an over-sized iPod touch, and can run all the apps available on the iTunes store.
When will it be available? How much will it cost?
Six different models were announced. Three WiFi capable models are set for release at the end of March 2010, while three WiFi + 3G models will debut at the end of April. Both types will come in 16GB ($499 for the WiFi model, $629 for its WiFi + 3G counterpart), 32GB ($599/$729), and 64GB ($699/$829) variants. 3G access will be provided by AT&T, through two prepaid plans of $14.99 for 250MB and $29.99 for unlimited.
What can it do?
Practically anything you can do with an iPod touch, you can do the same with the iPad. And yes, you can type through a touchscreen QWERTY keyboard. The pre-installed apps, such as the calendar, maps, and the media players have been redesigned to take advantage of the bigger screen. Unlike the iPod touch however, WiFi+3G iPads will be able to go online through AT&T’s network, allowing internet access even when away from a hotspot. During the announcement, Apple also showed off electronic book buying and reading software, placing the iPad in direct competition with eReaders like Amazon’s Kindle.
Is it worth it?
Here’s my subjective opinion: no, at least for geeks like me. Apple will probably market the iPad to the mass market, and has admitted that they’ll have to convince consumers to buy the product. All I know is that, for $499, you can buy
It seems like there is a recurring theme surrounding the latest apple products, the reliability has become second to developing the aesthetics and the battery-life problems still have not been solved, have Apple’s previous successes gone to their heads? Will the iPad be a slave to this?
I was just reading an interesting in-depth article on this topic here: http://bit.ly/bf2tXx which is certainly worth a browse. Personally I am a massive fan of apple products but I have been becoming increasingly more aware of the move towards style over substance.
I think the iPad is setting the stage for some very interesting new technology and new green living ideas for consumers. The potential of the iPad and all of its followers to put a single device in our hands that can deliver newspaper and magazine subscripitons electronically, play games, send email, browse the web, and so much more.
Oh and to the person who mentioned it can’t replace a laptop unless it gets a keyboard, the iPad has a keyboard dock available for it so you can dock it on a keyboard which also charges the iPad.
it’s really an ipod touch on steroids.
kind of cool idea, but it’s not like it’s going to replace things like a laptop or a desktop unless (A) it gets an actual keypad and (B) it has features that come with everything else apple ALREADY HAS OUT.
nice try, but………
833 days ago
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