UPDATE: $499 with a $30/$14 data plan with AT&T.
After months of speculation, rumors, and outright lies, the infamous Apple Tablet, officially named the iPad, has finally been revealed to the world via Steve Jobs. It looks like a larger version the iPhone and runs on a custom operating system that is based on the iPhone OS, which is based on Mac OS X. Here is what we know thus far:
Hardware: The iPad has a 9.7 inch screen, diagonally across. The aspect ration is not as low as 4:3, nor is it as high as 16:9, meaning that we will not get true widescreen on the iPad. It can be held in either portrait or landscape mode, with the applications compensating for either. It has built in WiFi functionality, but not 3G.
Software: As mentioned, the operating system is a custom build based off of the iPhone operating system. Many of the staple applications will be similar to those of the iPhone’s, but will also be enhanced for the tablet. For instance, the Mail application is definitely inspired by the iPhone mail app, but there will be pop-up previews and pull down menus on the iPad version. The Calendar application is more like the desktop version whereas the iTunes application is a hybrid between the iPhone iTunes app and the desktop version. Input is handled by an onscreen keyboard, which is almost the size of a full-size keyboard.
The real prize for us is that the iPad, much like the iPhone, will likely turn out to be an awesome gaming machine. As far as gaming goes on this, I hope for two things 1) flash support in the browser, 2) less sloppily designed games than what we see on the iPhone.
UPDATE: A price for this piece of gadget seduction has yet to be announced, but I would likely sell a vital organ in order to obtain one. We dont’ actually plan on selling organs — just being silly. Yes, Haiti has worse problems than us. Thank you for pointing that out.
All images from http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/27/live-blogging-the-apple-product-announcement/?emc=na
Though we also kept track of the event on http://live.gdgt.com and http://engadget.com, just so you know.
Um, a fundraiser to get you one? I think after the Haiti disaster it's pretty trival whether or not a blogger has an iPad. Also, you don't mention being there, so what's with the un-sourced photos and info?
"an excessive reaction; a reaction with inappropriate *emotional* behavior "… why not bring up the holocaust, 9-11, and the Armenian genocide as well? Seriously, America is self-destructing because of PC cops and their bickering. Was there REALLY a reason to post your comment?
Was there a point to yours? It wasn't an emotional reaction. It was a comment on how a "fundraiser" isn't really appropriate for getting a blog a piece of tech. It was a lame joke.
totally trivial, true. In fact, the idea of consumer electronics is put to shame by disasters like that. Should we stop publishing our gaming websites? Probably not. Gaming is just as trivial as a new iGadget, in the larger scheme of things. And yet we still enjoy it, and feel it represents us as a culture. And, I think, the fact that this gets as much attention as the Haiti earthquake also reflects us as a culture.
Obviously it was a joke, but I generally don't like when bloggers ask for freebies… it seems very disconnected from readers and suggesting a fundraiser just sounds bad right now, even as a joke.I'm not saying gaming is trival and unimportant. I'm saying the comment came off as unnecessary.
Jenni, you're absolutely correct. My fundraiser comment was made in jest. And, the article is being sourced. Thanks for keeping me on my toes.
Cool thanks for updating.
I'm sorry, but I see no need for this whatsoever. I have a tower, a laptop, a netbook, a macbook, an iphone, and a blackberry. Does ANYONE really need this? Maybe when something I own breaks down(although almost all of my equipment is less than 2 years old) I will replace it with this, but until then, enough is enough. I can think of 100 things that I could better spend the funds on. And, I bet, most of you could do the same if you weren't distracted by new, shinyy things(as I once was). Own your possessions and obsessions, don't let them own you.
I know the new ipad looks awesome and cant wait to get one for the girlfriend. Nice site by the way.
And btw, no ill will towards the writer. He said his piece and I respect that.
The i pad will be utterly silly. I cannot find myself putting down $400 to $600 to get a unit which cannot accomplish most of the stuff which my mobile computer can. I ordinarily like Apple, especially the iphone. It’s just this is a bit overboard. I wish them well but I won’t be purchasing one at any time in the near future.
I have to say this is NOT the apple tablet. If it was suppose to be a tablet, Apple would have kept with the "mac" prefix it has on its full power laptops and desktops. Even in Apples mind this is a larger iPhone/iPod Touch which is why they called it the iPad. That doesn't mean I'm not going to get it, but I really would have liked it to have a camera. This will be for the traveler who just wants to do a little something at the coffee shop or on a plane. This won't be the device you'll see on subways and buses. I can't see taking out an iPad while I'm waiting for the bus to play sudoku like I do with my iPod Touch now.
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