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Well, it’s finally official. Apple is nearly set to release the iPad on the world. Starting in March and then in April, folks will be able to get their grubby little hands on the uber-gadget in Wi-Fi Only and Wi-Fi + 3G models, respectively. The iPad features a 9.7 inch multi-touch, backlit LED IPS display and will come in 16, 32, and 64 GB flash memory versions. Models will start at $499 for the 16 GB Wi-Fi Only version and go up to as much as $829 for the 64 GB Wi-Fi + 3G, with separate 3G service plans being provided by AT&T.
According to Apple CEO Steve Jobs, the Internet browsing with the device is utterly amazing – far superior to any experience currently available. Of course, no Flash support brings that comment into question, but we’re sure the multi-touch tactile approach is quite awesome not to mention the screen looks brilliant. Best of all, all the games, apps, videos, and music current Apple users have already purchased will be compatible with the device. On the downside, many of us thought this Apple tablet would be a Netbook-gone-Mac – far surpassing the MacBook Air. However, the fashionable tech company has essentially just increased the size of their iPhone, making this more of an entertainment-heavy, productivity-light apparatus.
To be sure, the iPad has a lot of remarkable features, but we can’t help but point out some of its omissions. For starters, there’s no camera, no Flash support, and no memory card, USB, or HDMI ports (additional adaptors can be purchased separately to accommodate USB devices and memory cards). Moreover, between video, music, images, and gaming, even 64 GB seems like a paltry amount of storage. Finally, it doesn’t seem to have the processing chops to allow for even meager graphics design and publishing capabilities. For gaming journalists and geeks in general, these are all real missteps.
Of course, if you don’t own an iPhone or iPod Touch, this bigger version could be right up your alley, as gaming and video support through the App Store should be pretty amazing. I, on the other hand, will hold off for a few years and let Apple bring out a couple revisions. Below you’ll find the Apple video detailing the iPad as well as a snapshot of the gizmo’s vital statistics. If you’re looking for the full lowdown, check out the complete technical specs as posted on Apple’s website a bit further down the page. Tech Snapshot: 9.7-inch,LED-backlit, IPS multi-touch display Weighs 1.5 pounds and only ½ inch thick Up to 10 hours of battery life, with one month standby 16, 32, or 64GB flash storage Built-in speakers, microphone, accelerometer, compass, and Bluetooth support
Full Technical Specs: Size and weight Height: 9.56 inches (242.8 mm) Width: 7.47 inches (189.7 mm) Depth: 0.5 inch (13.4 mm) Weight: 1.5 pounds (.68 kg) Wi-Fi model; 1.6 pounds (.73 kg) Wi-Fi + 3G model Display * 9.7-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen Multi-Touch display with IPS technology * 1024-by-768-pixel resolution at 132 pixels per inch (ppi) * Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating * Support for display of multiple languages and characters simultaneously Wireless and Cellular Wi-Fi model * Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n) * Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR technology Wi-Fi + 3G model * UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz) * GSM/EDGE (850, 900,1800, 1900 MHz) * Data only2 * Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n) * Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR technology Location * Wi-Fi * Digital compass * Assisted GPS (Wi-Fi + 3G model) * Cellular (Wi-Fi + 3G model) In the Box * iPad * Dock connector to USB cable * 10W Power Adapter * Documentation Environmental Status Report iPad embodies Apple’s continuing environmental progress. It is designed with the following features to reduce environmental impact: * Arsenic-free display glass * BFR-free * Mercury-free LCD display * PVC-free * Recyclable aluminum and glass enclosure Capacity3 * 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB flash drive Processor * 1GHz Apple A4 custom-designed, high-performance, low-power system-on-a-chip Sensors * Accelerometer * Ambient light sensor Audio Playback * Frequency response: 20Hz to 20,000Hz * Audio formats supported: AAC (16 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), MP3 (16 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV * User-configurable maximum volume limit TV and Video * Support for 1024 x 768 with Dock Connector to VGA adapter; 576p and 480p with Apple Composite A/V Cable, 576i and 480i with Apple Composite A/V Cable * H.264 video up to 720p, 30 frames per second, Main Profile level 3.1 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats Mail attachment support * Viewable document types: .jpg, .tiff, .gif (images); .doc and .docx (Microsoft Word); .htm and .html (web pages); .key (Keynote); .numbers (Numbers); .pages (Pages); .pdf (Preview and Adobe Acrobat); .ppt and .pptx (Microsoft PowerPoint); .txt (text); .rtf (rich text format); .vcf (contact information); .xls and .xlsx (Microsoft Excel) Languages * Language support for English, French, German, Japanese, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Russian * Keyboard support for English (US) English (UK), French (France, Canada), German, Japanese (QWERTY), Dutch, Flemish, Spanish, Italian, Simplified Chinese (Handwriting and Pinyin), Russian * Dictionary support for English (US), English (UK), French, French (Canadian), French (Swiss), German, Japanese, Dutch, Flemish, Spanish, Italian, Simplified Chinese (Handwriting, Pinyin), Russian Accessibility * Support for playback of closed-captioned content * VoiceOver screen reader * Full-screen zoom magnification * White on black * Mono audio Battery and Power4 * Built-in 25Whr rechargeable lithium-polymer battery * Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video, or listening to music * Charging via power adapter or USB to computer system Input and Output * Dock connector * 3.5-mm stereo headphone jack * Built-in speakers * Microphone * SIM card tray (Wi-Fi + 3G model only) External buttons and controls * On/Off, Sleep/wake * Mute * Volume up/down * Home Mac system requirements * Mac computer with USB 2.0 port * Mac OS X v10.5.8 or later * iTunes 9.0 or later (free download from www.itunes.com/download) * iTunes Store account * Internet access Windows system requirements * PC with USB 2.0 port * Windows 7, Windows Vista; Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 3 or later * iTunes 9.0 or later (free download from www.itunes.com/download) * iTunes Store account * Internet access Environmental requirements * Operating temperature: 32° to 95° F (0° to 35° C) * Nonoperating temperature: -4° to 113° F (-20° to 45° C) * Relative humidity: 5% to 95% noncondensing * Maximum operating altitude: 10,000 feet (3000 m) |
