Apple launches iPad

After months of speculation, Apple have finally unveiled their new tablet device, known as the iPad at an event in San Francisco.

Apple's chief executive Steve Jobs unveiled the touchscreen device, which will cost between US$499 and US$829 in the US, as a "third category" between smartphones and laptops.

"We want to kick off 2010 by introducing a magical and revolutionary product," he said. "All of us use laptops and smartphones [...] the question has arisen, is there room for something in the middle? We've wondered for years as well.

The iPad resembles that of a large iPhone and can be used to watch films, play games and browse the internet. The firm has also secured a deal with publishers including Penguin, Macmillan and Harper Collins to allow e-books to be downloaded directly to the device through a new iBook Store.

In addition, the New York Times has developed an application specifically tailored for the iPad, which allows readers to view videos embedded within articles, and which recreates the look and feel of a print edition copy of the leading newspaper.

The next level

The device boasts a 9.7-inch multi-touch display, which allows people to type directly on to the screen, as well as manipulate pictures and control the action in games with their fingers. Users can also plug-in a keyboard, if they wish.

Weighing 680 grams and measuring half-an-inch thick, Apple claim it has a battery life of 10 hours.

It will have a wi-fi connection to the internet, while higher spec versions can link to the web via a mobile phone network. This will allow users to download video, music, books and newspapers on the go rather than being tied down to wi-fi internet hot spots in the home or town centres.

It comes preloaded with 12 applications - essentially multi-touch versions of existing Mac software such as iPhoto.

Owners can also download third party apps - both specially designed for the iPad and those already available for the iPhone, and those consumers with both devices will be able to synchronise their apps between the two.

iBooks

However, the key component for Apple is introduction of the new iBooks application. This includes a visual bookshelf, as well a huge variety of the eBook on offer - a move that Apple believes signifies the app's major advantage over the Amazon Kindle. Prices are good too, with PC Pro saying that best-selling novel The Lovely Bones is now on sale in the all-new Apple iBook Store for just US$4.99 -significantly cheaper than Kindle options.

What's more, Apple says that all books will be sold in the industry-standard ePub format, which allows users to buy a book and share it with five other eBook readers. Also, through iBooks, users are able to change the font of the text they are reading - a unique feature that hasn't been seen elsewhere.

However, such technology doesn't come cheap: the least expensive iPad, which will come with 16GB of flash memory and wi-fi, will cost US$499; the dearest, with 64GB of storage and the ability to connect via a mobile 3G signal, will set consumers back US$829. Meanwhile, Mr. Jobs said that the firm hoped to have international prices in place by June or July.

So will people be rushing out to buy the device? A new toy for some, it certainly looks set to be popular - but with cynics already jeering that the device is nothing more than a glorified iPhone, time will tell how successful the iPad really will be.

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