Apple unveils iPad tablet device – on sale in April

Tech giant Apple has finally announced its long-awaited tablet device in a press conference at San Francisco, with the gadget being unveiled to applause and praise from tech bloggers and analysts.

The device, named the iPad, is about 10 inches long, 0.5 inches thick and allows users to run a variety of apps already available on the App Store, with Apple also unveiling a suite of new apps purely for the tablet itself. 

But the biggest surprise of the day has been the price – models will cost as low as $US499 with Wi-Fi capability and up to just $US829 for a 32GB version with 3G connectivity.

Unfortunately, there’s going to be a little bit of a wait. The iPad with WiFi will be available worldwide in 60 days, while 3G models will be available in 90 days – in line with analysts’ predictions.

Developers will also be able to create applications for the device, with the iPad software developer’s kit available on the Apple website now.

Chief executive Steve Jobs unveiled the device by saying it could bridge the gap between the high-end iPhone and laptops. However, he said the device was not a netbook, and could fulfil a variety of functions better than downgraded laptop devices.

“So 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 — in order to create that category, they have to be far better at doing some key tasks… better than the laptop, better than the smartphone.”

“What kind of tasks? Browsing the web. Doing email. Enjoying and sharing pics. Watching videos. Enjoying music. Playing games. Reading eBooks.”

Jobs also said if a third device was going to take the place in between these devices and perform all these tasks, it must be better than other devices – “otherwise it has no reason for being”.

“We think we’ve got something that is better. And we call it the iPad,” he said.

Jobs announces iPad hardware

The device itself looks like an over-sized iPhone, with a larger screen and a home button at the bottom of the gadget. App icons are spread across the screen, with customisable wallpapers behind it.

New dedicated apps include Google Maps, the Apple mail app, Calendar, YouTube with HD functionality, iTunes and Safari. Jobs displayed a number of websites on the tablet including the New York Times, (which has built its own dedicated app for the tablet), and Time Magazine.

The App Store is also available on the iPad as an in-built app, along with a photo viewer. A virtual QWERTY keyboard has also been designed for use.

Apple is also taking on Amazon by releasing its own in-built bookstore called iBooks. The company has partnered with five major publishing houses – Penguin, Macmillan, HarperCollins, Hachett and Simon & Schuster.

The app itself is very similar to the iTunes or App stores. Users browse for the book they would like to purchase, click on the book itself and then the file begins downloading straight to the iPad. Fonts can be changed, along with a variety of other settings.

As predicted by some tech blogs, games are a big part of the iPad’s appeal. Senior vice president Scott Forstall took to the stage to show off games including first-person shooter Nova.

However, he also said all of the current iPhone apps will work on the iPad – users simply have to download their current library of apps, and they will work straight away.

Apps, apps and more apps

But new, dedicated apps are also a big part of the device’s appeal. The New York Times showed off its own app, eager to show the iPad as the best portable format for reading its content. A few different apps for sketching and drawing were also previewed, highlighting the gadget’s appeal for artists and students.

A new, updated version of the iWorks office software will also be available on the iPad with a new user interface, with Apple eager to show executives how useful the gadget could be in an office setting.

Users can create and edit slideshow and word documents, including functionality with Microsoft Office files, with each separate app costing about $US10 each.

The gadget features a whopping 10 hours of battery life, and over a month’s worth of standby power. Jobs said he could use the iPad on a flight between San Francisco and Tokyo, and watch videos for the whole trip.

The iPad also comes with a capacitive multi-touch screen, and is available in models of 16GB, 32GB and 64GB. It also comes with WiFi, Bluetooth, a speaker, microphone, 30-pin connector for extending to monitors, an accelerometer and a compass.

Additionally, the gadget syncs with a PC or Mac just like any other iPod device.

As predicted by most tech pundits, the iPad will come with 3G connectivity. No deals have been announced yet for international carriers, (although Jobs said the company hopes to reveal them by June/July, the same time expected for the new iPhone model), but US deals have already been announced.

The 3G connectivity is pre-paid, so no contracts are necessary. American users will pay $US14.99 per month for 250MB of data, while $US30 plans are also available for unlimited connectivity.

While the Australian deals have not yet been announced, users are in luck – the larger number of carriers here will probably see local users pay less. Additionally, Jobs also said the 3G models are unlocked, able to be used on any carrier network.

Lower than expected prices

WiFi models will cost $US499, $US599 and $US699 for the 16GB, 32GB and 64GB versions respectively. For 3G models, 16GB, 32GB and 64GB versions will cost $US629, $US729 and $US829. And while the current exchange rate produces similar prices, it should be noted Apple usually marks up a number of its devices at its local stores.

Some accessories were also unveiled, including a dock, a keyboard dock and a case.

After the presentation, Jobs took the stage again to explain how the company believes it can produce a gadget filling the blank between the iPhone and lower-priced MacBooks.

“We think we’ve got the goods. We think we’ve done it. Another thing we’re excited about is that there’s already 75m people who know how to use this because of how many iPhones and iPod touches we’ve shipped.”

Jobs noted the 125 million accounts with iTunes and the App Store, which are also iBookstore-ready, and also emphasised the 12 billion downloads recorded across all the stores.

“We’ve always tried to be at the intersection of technology and liberal arts – we want to make the best tech, but have them be intuitive. It’s the combination of these two things that have let us make the iPad.”