FeedApple iPad Brings Media Computing To The Masses
Written by NetBear on January 27, 2010 – 11:52 am -Today Apple announced their new tablet computer, the iPad. With it’s 9.7-inch touch-sensitive screen, it’s like a cross between an iPhone and a MacBook, but with a very different focus than it’s predecessors.
It’s not just a tablet computer. It’s not just a big iPhone. The iPad is a new consumer product that ties everything the average person might want to do on their digital desktop into an attractive, user-friendly and portable package.
Like the iPod, the iPad is intended to fill a gap for consumers where no product has yet to fill the nitch. It is a media hub for entire family, putting movies, photos, games, applications and all kinds of digital media right in your lap, where ever you might be.
The first thing you notice about the iPad is that it’s incredibly simple. It’s as if somebody took a laptop display and made it into a stand-alone product. That’s somewhat true. But it’s what’s under the hood that makes the iPad so different from other tablet computers.
Building upon the technology used in the iPhone, the iPad adds extensions to the iPhone OS to make a wireless product that aims to be both a consumer computing platform and a complete media — and application — hub.
At first glance, there are two glaring omissions from this computer. Where’s the keyboard and mouse? Instead of using those now antiquated hardware interfaces, the iPad uses multi-touch technology to allow direct manipulation of what’s on the LCD screen. No need to use a mouse cursor to simulate your fingers — use your fingers directly! Like on the iPhone, you can pinch and rotate content, click and drag items and of course get your QWERTY fix by typing on a virtual keyboard.
Beyond the upgraded iPhone OS interface on the iPad, what’s so revolutionary about it? Tablet computers have been around for many years now. But the power of this new device as a media hub lies not only in its operating system and interface features, but also in the groundwork Apple has already established.
When you want to watch a TV show or movie on iPad, how will you find it? Using the built-in iTunes store, of course. When you want to play a game you won’t have to go browse, purchase and download a game from a potentially unsafe web site. Instead the App Store is right there to bring you thousands of applications and games. And most importantly, when you want to read an eBook, product manual or digital newspaper, you will be able to find it in iTunes now too.
Just as Apple did for music with the iPod, Apple has put together a seamless media experience for the consumer. The iPad brings that experience right into the laps of people. With the redesigned iLife application suite for the iPad, it becomes apparent that Apple thinks of this new device as a stand-alone consumer computing platform.
It’s not just a tablet computer. It’s not just a big iPhone. The iPad is a new consumer product that ties everything the average person might want to do on their digital desktop into an attractive, user-friendly and portable package, all for prices starting at a pretty incredible $499. Of course, that doesn’t include all the iLife software and apps.
Will consumers go for it? It’s a pretty compelling easty-to-use platform for people that get lost on a PC or laptop. It has enough to dazzle and keep most people happy. But will people be able to deal with the virtual keyboard? There are a whole lot of people who already know how to use their iPhone and iPod Touch. What do you think?
- .5 inches thin
- 1.5 pounds
- 9.7 inch IPS display
- Full capacitive multi-touch
- Apple’s own custom chip, the A4
- 1GHz. 16, 32, or 64GB of flash storage
- The latest in wireless: 802.11n, WiFi, and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
- Accelerometer, compass, speaker, mic, dock connector
- 10 hours of battery life, 1 month of standby time
Apple will offer models with just WiFI and also with built-in unlocked 3G data capabilities. That means it could potentially work on networks other than AT&T right away.
Wi-Fi only iPad models will be available by the beginning of April 2010:
$499 - 16GB
$599 - 32GB
$699 - 64GB
Wi-Fi + 3G iPad models will be available by the beginning of May 2010:
$629 - 16GB
$729 - 32GB
$829 - 64GB
US customers can purchase an AT&T 250MB data plan for $14.99 per month or an unlimited data plan for $29.99 per month.
Accessories like the Keyboard Dock and cases will of course be available too.
Watch the Apple iPad introduction video.
Get all the details on the iPad.
By Rik Dutch on Feb 6, 2010 8:08:58 AM | Reply
This designer guy of Apple is very hot: Jonathan Ive