Wednesday, January 27th 2010

Apple Unveils the iPad

Apple today unveiled its latest pop gadget, poised to add to the legacy of iPod and iPhone, the iPad. Quite technically, it's a tablet computer, but Apple's implementation ensures it's a mix of the Mac, iPhone, and iPod in clever proportions. The device is half an inch thick, weighs 750 g, has a 9.7 inch IPS multi-touch display, is powered by a custom Apple-made "A4" SoC which runs at 1 GHz, and has variants based on storage and connectivity. On the storage front, on offer are 16, 32, 64 GB, and connectivity options include 3G or WiFi (pick a variant based on what your primary ISP type is).

Just like with the iPhone, an accelerometer lets you tilt the device to change between portrait and landscape modes, and also help with several application features. While the device takes text input from an onscreen touch keyboard, it also supports a real docked keyboard. Apple has released several applications with this, and has also released an SDK for developers to start building applications on. Prices start at - hold your breath - US $499 (for the 16 GB variant), and goes up $599 (32 GB), $699 (64 GB). Adding $130 to any of these models gives you the 3G feature. Let us know what you think about this new device in the ongoing Frontpage Poll (top-right on the front-page).

Many pictures after the break.

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95 Comments on Apple Unveils the iPad

#26
timta2
Don't forget that 90% of people out there just want something that works well. They don't care about running every Windows app possible, an open OS, high performance, or any of the other things you guys are complaining about.

I think the price is right and it will become very popular.
I'd like to see a more capable word processor made for it instead of just notepad.
Apple demonstrated "iWork" which includes a word processor during the presentation.
WIFI OR 3G why not both ??
The slides from the presentation clearly indicate the the 3G units will also have WiFi support built in as well.
Posted on Reply
#27
wiak
whats next "iCrap" or will it be "iPoo" :D
Posted on Reply
#28
simlariver
timta2Don't forget that 90% of people out there just want something that works well. They don't care about running every Windows app possible, an open OS, high performance, or any of the other things you guys are complaining about.
.
Mundane people will think this is a real computer. They will be disappointed to find it doesn't run normal applications. Just like Linux-driven netbooks hit the market. Now, the majority of netbooks run windows.
Posted on Reply
#29
newtekie1
Semi-Retired Folder
timta2Don't forget that 90% of people out there just want something that works well. They don't care about running every Windows app possible, an open OS, high performance, or any of the other things you guys are complaining about.

I think the price is right and it will become very popular.


Apple demonstrated "iWork" which includes a word processor during the presentation.
I think you are grossly over-estimating that percentage...

I think it is more like 5% of people just want something that works well. The other 95% want something that is actually useful, and not just a big iPhone/iPod. I think even the Apple fanboys wanted this device to lean more toward the iMac side, and less towards the iPod side...
Posted on Reply
#30
pantherx12
Aye I was disappointed to find that there was not much arguing going on at engadget, normally its so much fun : [

Seems even the fanboys don't like this device.

Seems engadget themselves are disappointed somewhat, and they freaken love Apple, in the mouth!
Posted on Reply
#31
Soylent Joe
Maybe if we just ignore it it'll go away o.O
Posted on Reply
#32
timta2
I think you are grossly over-estimating that percentage...

I think it is more like 5% of people just want something that works well. The other 95% want something that is actually useful, and not just a big iPhone/iPod. I think even the Apple fanboys wanted this device to lean more toward the iMac side, and less towards the iPod side...
We are all entitled to our opinions. I don't have that many friends or family who are PC enthusiasts or nerds so maybe that might skew my estimate a little. I'm sure it is much higher than 5% of the general population however that just wants something that works well.
Posted on Reply
#33
kid41212003
This will be better with Mac OS than Iphone OS. They made a really bad choice. The Iphone can pretty much do everything, I guess they just want you to buy a new device for some new programs that can be wrote for Iphone...
Posted on Reply
#34
Fourstaff
Not impressed with the iPad or any other tablet PCs, its too big to fit in my pocket and I can fit a more powerful rig in my bag. IMHO a useless piece of gadget. Someone else might find them useful though.
Posted on Reply
#35
simlariver
kid41212003This will be better with Mac OS than Iphone OS. They made a really bad choice. The Iphone can pretty much do everything, I guess they just want you to buy a new device for some new programs that can be wrote for Iphone...
They want people to use the app store, that's what they want. sad sad sad.
Posted on Reply
#36
KieX
Time for the Jobs' Mob to start their pilgramige to their closest Apple Store and receive the fruit of their prophet. :laugh:

How dare impartial computer people speak badly of this newest of Holy Grails :roll:
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#37
Tartaros
This thing without mac os = epic fail

If they managed to make some sort of apple netbook that would be great, but not this.
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#38
NC37
Think the 90% is a bit more accurate. Yeah you'd like to think ppl are smarter but then if they were, Best Buy would be out of business.

Seriously, people are not that smart. Apple fans and haters are included. Heck if people were smart, Intel graphics and crap Macs/PCs with it wouldn't even exist :laugh:. Apple knows this and they've done their homework. Likely this will sell rather well. They have multiple markets and avenues they can utilize with it. But obviously it is not going to be a hardcore audience device. If you expect Apple to cater to that group then you'll be waiting a long time. There is just more money in catering to the "oooh and ahh" crowd. Plus if Apple did provide full functionality, then it would cut into their laptop market as people would see it as a cheaper alternative.

Heck if it was more functional i'd prolly get one for my mom whos getting close to 60. Just cause shes not really computer literate and could understand a touch screen better than a keyboard and trackpad which she already has issues using. For her this would be a wonderful device that isn't overly heavy that she could use to browse the web on.

Not my cup of tea tho. To me I just see a big iPod. While I wouldn't mind that terribly, as the Touch is too small for my hands/fingers, I really don't need something like it in a tablet form. Just a "man's hands" size form of the Touch would work for me. Unless of course they expanded that functionality more.
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#39
PP Mguire
TartarosThis thing without mac os = epic fail

If they managed to make some sort of apple netbook that would be great, but not this.
Macbook Air? :confused:
Posted on Reply
#40
freaksavior
To infinity ... and beyond!
pantherx12Apple are running out of ideas lol
I don't think its that, i think they gave people what they wanted then slapped them with their pad.
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#41
pantherx12
freaksaviorI don't think its that, i think they gave people what they wanted then slapped them with their pad.
I only need to look at their Ipod lines to see they've not come up with anything to decent since the original I phone ( I don't like the Iphone but it is a fairly decent device )

They're just adding small "bits" to their older product lines making people buy new ipods even though they're old ones work great. ( Obviously with this its just a tablet, which has been done before and better in my opinion)

I suppose its the people buying them rather then Apples fault :laugh:


But I really think they could do better.

Some of their older stuff was actually pretty damn cool!
Posted on Reply
#42
InfDamarvel
I for one love this device,

I can now surf the internet for the most part, read books, Look at pictures, and play all the applications they have on the Iphone. I always wanted a 9.7inch screen on my ipod touch.

THANKS APPLE.

/s

Anyways, I knew this wasnt going to be innovative from the start.
What am I suppose to do? Take this into a classroom for I can take notes and possibly read text book in the future? Just give me a damn netbook with a touchscreen or some type of hybrid...o wait

www.engadget.com/2010/01/05/lenovo-ideapad-u1-hybrid-hands-on-and-impressions/
Posted on Reply
#43
freaksavior
To infinity ... and beyond!
InfDamarvelI for one love this device,

I can now surf the internet for the most part, read books, Look at pictures, and play all the applications they have on the Iphone. I always wanted a 9.7inch screen on my ipod touch.

THANKS APPLE.

/s

Anyways, I know this wasnt going to be innovative from the start.
What am I suppose to do? Take this into a classroom for I can take notes and possibly read text book in the future? Just give me a damn netbook with a touchscreen or some type of hybrid...o wait

www.engadget.com/2010/01/05/lenovo-ideapad-u1-hybrid-hands-on-and-impressions/
All of it while visiting a non flash site, lack of high res screen, lack of any multi tasking on this, $500 for a 16gb with no 3g, ATT again. \
Posted on Reply
#44
Wile E
Power User
newtekie1I think you are grossly over-estimating that percentage...

I think it is more like 5% of people just want something that works well. The other 95% want something that is actually useful, and not just a big iPhone/iPod. I think even the Apple fanboys wanted this device to lean more toward the iMac side, and less towards the iPod side...
Exactly what I wanted to express in my first post. iMac with the iPhone/iTouch gui would've been perfect.
Posted on Reply
#45
shevanel
they will save the extra features for the 2nd generation version..

why lose out on all those apple bucks when they can milk it over time.
Posted on Reply
#46
Triprift
freaksaviorAll of it while visiting a non flash site, lack of high res screen, lack of any multi tasking on this, $500 for a 16gb with no 3g, ATT again. \
Well actually freak i was thinking it would be alot more expensive id almost say the wifi version at 500 us is reasonable considering the prices of iphone 3gs at launch.
Posted on Reply
#47
jessicafae
it's too big. It is actually bigger than my Panasonic R6 core2 duo CULV ultra-portable which is a real productivity notebook. And I bought my R6 in 2007!

Panasonic R6 ultraportable : 229mm x 187mm x 29.4mm 940gms
Apple iPad : 242.8mm x 189.7 x 13.4mm 680gms

If I can't fit it in my bag, then I might as well carry an ultraportabe even if it is a little thicker and heavier (all 260gms) because it is a real productivity computer.

They should have just made a larger iPod touch about the size of a small manga (maybe a 5" to 6" screen) and done it with less hype.
Posted on Reply
#48
DrPepper
The Doctor is in the house
I'd have got one if I had the money and I never had an ipod touch already. So it goes under the iDon't care list.
Posted on Reply
#49
simlariver
shevanelthey will save the extra features for the 2nd generation version..

why lose out on all those apple bucks when they can milk it over time.
So it's ok to rush out poorly-tested products that lack core features to market, just because you can roll out V2.0 ?? sounds like the iphone story here
Posted on Reply
#50
garyinhere
3g confusion???

Is it gonna be like buy a 2 yr contract 3g? Or, is 3g now an available feature, and if it is why not wait till they put it in a iTouch?
Posted on Reply
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