Apple Launches iPad

Apple today introduced iPad, a revolutionary device for browsing the web, reading and sending email, enjoying photos, watching videos, listening to music, playing games, reading e-books and much more. iPad’s responsive high-resolution Multi-Touch display lets users physically interact with applications and content. iPad is just 0.5 inches thick and weighs just 1.5 pounds—thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook. iPad includes 12 new innovative apps designed especially for the iPad, and will run almost all of the over 140,000 apps in the App Store. iPad will be available in late March starting at the breakthrough price of just $499.

iPad will be available in late March worldwide for a suggested retail price of $499 (US) for the 16GB model, $599 (US) for the 32GB model, $699 (US) for the 64GB model. The Wi-Fi + 3G models of iPad will be available in April in the US and selected countries for a suggested retail price of $629 (US) for the 16GB model, $729 (US) for the 32GB model and $829 (US) for the 64GB model. iPad will be sold in the US through the Apple Store (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers. International pricing and worldwide availability will be announced at a later date. iBookstore will be available in the US at launch.

iWork has been redesigned for the iPad including a special version of Keynote for doing presentations, numbers (Spreadsheet), and Pages (Word Processor). Apps will be $9.99 each.

Probably the best announcement so far for the iPad is iBooks which is basically a book store like the itunes store to add books to your virtual bookshelf so you can read your books by flipping pages. Looks like it will replace the Kindle.

Looks like an iphone and acts like an iphone. Keyboard is closer to actual size but still virtual.
(Photo’s courtesy of Gizmodo)

It has Google Maps, Calendar, Address Book, Mail, Compass, You Tube and yes the App Store. Every App for iPhone will run on it as of today. An API is coming out for Tablet only apps.

It has 10 hours of battery life and is environmentally friendly. It has Bluetooth 2.1, Enhanced Data Rate, a Speaker, a Microphone, 9.7 inch screen, WiFi, and the familiar 30 pin Apple Dock Connector.
It has an Apple 1 ghz A4 chip and 64 megs RAM


Data Plan from AT&T $14.99 for 250MB and $30 for unlimited each month.


Pricing Matrix Below. Available in 60-90 days depending on the model you choose.

Cool new docks. One is picture frame dock. The other is the keyboard dock. Pricing was not announced. Keyboard Dock Photo Below.

Engadget Reports, “Yes folks — the rumors are true. Apple is holding an event on January 27th to show off something the company is calling their “latest creation.” Hair standing on end? Good. The proceedings will take place at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater in San Francisco, and will get underway at 10AM Pacific. We’ll be there live — as usual — covering every little second of the action. So get ready!”

Ready for Apple to reinvent the Tablet. Here is the actual picture of the invitation courtesy of Engadget. We have not received ours yet. Wonder what the hold up is? Will have to call Steve on his cell phone and ask.

“All smartphone customers, including iPhone customers, may now buy unlimited voice and data for $99.99. For smartphone customers with Family Talk plans (prices assume 2 smartphones), unlimited voice and data is now available for $179.99. Texting plans remain unchanged at $20 for unlimited plans for individuals, $30 for Family Talk Plans.”