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This article is based on online coverage of Apple's
product announcement. A lot of details are sketchy at present, and
Apple has released almost nothing in the way of tech specs. We will
post a full profile when Apple makes data available.
It's called the iPad, Apple's new
handheld computer that's designed to create an entirely new category of
devices between the iPhone/iPod touch/smartphone and the notebook
computer.
Since it introduced the iPod in 2001, Apple has sold 250 million
units. Its iPhone redefined the smartphone market and now had 140,000
apps available. Over 3 billion apps have been downloaded for it.
Apple redefined notebook computers with the PowerBook in 1991, and
today notebooks dominate the Macintosh market while PC vendors fight
each other over low cost, low profit, low power netbooks.
Introducing the iPad
The iPad works like an oversized iPod touch, but new and updated
apps have been modified for its larger 9.7" display. For instance, when
you to go email, the onscreen keyboard automatically appears - and it's
large enough to type on.
The screen is large enough that you can view a monthly calendar
meaningfully - the text isn't so small that you can't read it without
zooming. Of course, iTunes is built in, and there's support for HD
YouTube videos.
Specifications: 0.5" thick, 1.5 lb., 9.7" display with full
capacitive multitouch support. It's powered by Apple's own 1 GHz A4 CPU
- processor, graphics, I/O, and memory controller on one chip - and
includes 16 GB to 64 GB of flash memory. 802.11n WiFi is included, some
models have 3G wireless, and battery life is rated at 10 hours - or a
month in standby mode. It's got the same dock connector as the iPod and
iPhone.
The iPad is very green - no arsenic, BFR, mercury, or PVC - and it's
highly recyclable. It can run iPhone apps out of the box, either at
native size in the center of the iPad's display or scaled up (doubled).
The 9.7" LED backlit screen has a 1024 x 768 resolution.
iPad Apps
An iPad Software Development Kit is available today, and some games
have already been updated for the new display and processing power.
The New York Times has
written an app especially for the iPad and shows that at least one
print media organization really gets it as far as the Internet goes.
The iPad app shows newspaper-like pages, allows the user to set the
number of columns, and shows videos. Bravo!
After showing off a couple games, Jobs introduced iBooks, Apple's
ebook reader that uses the ePub format. iBooks can be purchased through
the iBookstore (which uses the same accounts as the iTunes Store and
App Store). You can change the typeface and size, and Apple promises
that textbooks will be available - college students rejoice!
Next, there's iWork for the iPad, which has a whole new user
interface. It includes Keynote, Pages, and Numbers, just like the Mac
version. Price is $9.99, probably per app, not for the iWork suite.
Configurations
There will be different versions of the iPad, including some with 3G
wireless. AT&T has a $30/month unlimited data plan, or $15 for 250
MB of data. Both plans include free use of AT&T WiFi hotspots. Best
of all, these plans are prepay with no contracts!
Unlike the iPhone, the iPad is unlocked and uses new GSM micro SIMs.
Apple hopes to have worldwide data support available in June or
July.
The WiFi models will ship within 60 days, and within 90 days for 3G
models with worldwide availability. Apple has a dock to hold the iPad
upright when charging or docked to your computer. Put your iPad in the
dock, and it acts as a digital picture frame.
For serious keyboarders, Apple
has a full size mechanical keyboard that uses a dock and supports the
iPad in vertical/portrait mode. There's also a case that can be used as
an easel to display the iPad in horizontal mode.
If you already have an iPhone or iPod touch, you can use your
existing apps with the iPad - no need to buy them again.
Like the iPhone and iPod touch, no multitasking. There does not
appear to be a built-in camera, so no video chat without accessories.
Dan Knight has been using Macs since 1986,
sold Macs for several years, supported them for many more years, and
has been publishing Low End Mac since April 1997. If you find Dan's articles helpful, please consider making a donation to his tip jar.
Links for the Day
Mac of the Day: PowerBook 500 Series, introduced 1994.05.16. 'Blackbird' includes a 25 to 33 MHz 68040 along with smart batteries and grayscale or color displays.
The New York Times has
written an app especially for the iPad and shows that at least one
print media organization really gets it as far as the Internet goes.
The iPad app shows newspaper-like pages, allows the user to set the
number of columns, and shows videos. Bravo!
For serious keyboarders, Apple
has a full size mechanical keyboard that uses a dock and supports the
iPad in vertical/portrait mode. There's also a case that can be used as
an easel to display the iPad in horizontal mode.