Apple tablet unveiled as the iPad

Steve Jobs launches sleek web device that's "more intimate than a laptop, more capable than a smartphone"

27 January 2010 18:18 GMT / By Stuart Miles

Apple's CEO Steve Jobs has finally put an end to months of speculation and announced the Apple iPad, the company's move to bridge the gap between the mobile phone and laptop at its media event in San Fransisco.

The new tablet device, which looks to sport a modified version of the iPhone OS, will come with an aluminium back and a large touchscreen allowing you to see web pages as you would on a regular laptop.

Jobs, although confidently stating that "Apple is the number one mobile devices company in the world" and that "by revenue, we're bigger than Nokia", launched the iPad as a question, asking if "there's room for something in the middle?".

The iPad, which will come with an almost full-size touchscreen keyboard, will also be geared to enjoy all types of digital media and judging by the way Steve Jobs demoed the unit at the press launch, is expected to be used by holding it with one hand and controlling it with another.

With auto-rotate functionality, Jobs says the iPad is "way better than a laptop" and "a dream to type on".

In a fairly lengthy demo, the iPad was shown to be viewing images, video - including high def YouTube clips - web browsing, flipping through a calendar, suggesting that like the iPhone it will be very app focused. However it's also clear from the demos that the iPad isn't supporting Adobe Flash playback within the browser.

The iPad will sport a 9.7-inch display (the same as the Amazon Kindle DX), will be half an inch thick and weighs in at 1.5lbs. It will offer a custom 1GHz "Apple A4" processor and come in 16, 32, or 64GB storage sizes. Wireless 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, speaker, mic, dock connector, accelerometer and compass are also included. It will launch with the claim of 10 hours of active battery life and a month of standby.

Apple is aiming the device firmly at the consumer market with pricing for the 16GB version lower than expected at $499, while the 32GB version will be $599 and the 64GB $799. 3G models cost an extra $130 so $629, $729, and $829. Non-3G models are due in 60 days - 3G versions in 90.

Apple has confirmed to Pocket-lint that it has yet to set international pricing.

With the App Store built in, Apple say there will be a button that will allow current apps to be "doubled up" allowing you to maximise the new bigger screen although developers can also chose to resize their offerings to suit.

Apple has confirmed that it will be releasing an SDK on Wednesday for developers to update their current iPhone apps for the new device.

As well as the existing iTunes and App Store content, Apple has announced it is to rival Amazon's Kindle platform by launching the new "iBooks" store that will offer ebook downloads from major publishers.

To try and make the iPad appeal to those who value productivity, as well as entertainment, Apple has announced a version of iWork that's been specially adapted for the touchscreen device that will be offered at $9.99 for each element.

In the States, AT&T will offer iPad 3G connectivity with two contract-free options announced - 250MB of data for $14.99 per month and an "unlimited" plan for £29.99 a month.

International deals are due to be in place by June or July, but Apple has revealed it will be offering the iPad unlocked, so if consumers opt for the 3G model option, they will have choice of mobile broadband providers and contracts.

In what will surely sway even those that don't like the idea of the touchscreen device, the iPad will come with a keyboard docking station allowing you to quickly put text into the device. Other accessories from Apple will include a standard docking station so you can make it a "great photo frame" and a more protective case to protect it when you are out and about.

Here are all the official Apple iPad pictures, our hands on with the iPad, while we've also now got the oficial Apple iPad video.

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Comments

looks like a grown Iphone! Posted by El Borikua, USA
It looks like a glorified Itouch or Iphone Posted by Klaverts, USA
Steve's shrunk, is there a need for this or will it be like the evolution of the SCC into expensive mini note books for the ebook. Posted by Hi Pad, Wishing land
I was hoping this was going to turn into a bit of a "non-event" and for the supposed "3 months of hype" among the Apple Fans - the current almost silence from the internet at large means one of two things....
1) Eveyone is so gobsmacked and lost for words - they haven't said anything
2) Everyone is bored and don't care enough to say anything...

Personally - I am hoping its the second option....

Who seriously wants something that is larger than an iPhone but not as versatile as a laptop but probably costs more than both devices together??

Look at how much the current generation iPhone actually costs SIM FREE, I doubt network operators are going to be subsidising the iPad - so you are going to be looking at full cost for the device.....

I hope the iPad has been long forgotten by the summer.. Posted by Andrew Jones, Scotland
Only thing i have from ipod is a 1st gen nano and even im excited by this deffenitly going on the wish list im just worried about the above price are we looking at about £700+ for an all singing all dancing one Posted by darren, england
Ok.........UK price at a guess hmmmmmm?

I'm guessing at least £500

I'm off to buy two netbooks! Posted by Jay, UK
iPAD !!!! hahahahahaahaK Posted by iborguk, UK
Just seen it zooming past on twitter that it doesn't multi-task?? anyone confirm?? Posted by Andrew Jones, Scotland
I want one! Once you've mastered the touch keyboard and had exposure to a touch screen, plus the difference in weight compared to a conventional laptop, you won't want to go back to the old technology!

How many people out there have a touch phone and how many, when they move onto a laptop or conventional mobile phone touch the screen without thinking and nothing happens. Its so natural to go in this direction! No moving parts to worry about and the Apple operating system as well! What more could you want?

Wake up you lot and touch the future!
Posted by David, UK
Camera. WHERE IS THE CAMERA? I was rather seeing this as a portable videophone, but no, not this time. Maybe it will be an accessory (but who wants to carry accessories around)? And multi-tasking has absolutely got to happen- we need to be able to copy something from a web page to a document, then go back to the web page (or email, or whatever).

However, the weight is amazing; that, along with the battery life (assuming it's enough to use with wifi or 3g for four hours or so) makes this by far the best device for taking to meetings to take notes so far. I really hate heavy notebooks and netbooks.

And the dock connector means it will charge from a PC using a nice small cable, not a big chunky 3 pin plug :)

I think I will reserve judgment till I can hold one and tap it etc. Posted by Anna Beta, UK
No wow factor for me.. Posted by T, UK
If the price is right then I'll definitely be buying. Posted by MG, UK
Heavy, no flash capability, looks like someone doubled an iPhone measurements... where do I pay? Posted by NW, UK
Where’s is the innovation? The iPad is just an oversized version of the iPod Touch/iPhone im sure Apple will sell millions of units but it could have been so much more. Why no camera/video conferencing facilities? Also no flash player? I’m an Apple fan boy at heart but as I already have a 3GS I won’t be needing the iPad. Posted by Steve, UK
I'd like a tablet device that I can use to read the paper/magazines on the bus to work and to replace my original 7 inch eeepc for basic productivity tasks, particularly whilst traveling abroad.

I'm not convinced by the iPad. To get a decent amount of storage and 3G one has to go for the $829 model, or about £500. Add in a another £100 or so for basic accessories like a decent keyboard, a case, SD reader (which should be built in) and it's approaching the cost of a MacBook (£816) and way above a netbook. Posted by MPB, UK
what happened to the world of video conferencing ?
Posted by mike, london uk
All this hype over the last few months has turned
this event into a big 'non event' for me.
Apple.com state this is 'a magical and revolutionary device' who are the trying to kid? it's an ipod touch on steroids! Starting at $499 which will probably mean it will sell in the for £399.
I'm going to hold out until they update the macbook pro.
Posted by No pad, UK
"Apple is the number one mobile devices company in the world" - Cleverly worded, but pretty much only covers the unmatched success of the iPod line, not the phones.

"...by revenue, we're bigger than Nokia" - Read as: 'we're way more expensive than Nokia.'

Think different people. Stop buying into the BS.
Posted by L.Rawlins, UK
What a load of crap!
I am a graphic designer with 25+ years experience and used to be a 'Mac-fascist' until Mac OS X came around.
I have switched to PC for well over 10 years now and will never go back to Apple: I had the chance to work on it again and, oh God, I can't believe what a pile of over-rated and over-priced rubbish it has become!
Full of bugs, bloody slow and unstable, not even able to deal with postcript fonts for which it was supposed to be the reference.
Well, not anymore Steve!
And nothing will ever replace the smell of fresh ink and the feeling of real paper, not even Apple.
Posted by Harryposter, UK
I was hoping for a camera for video and/or photobooth. And with that amazing processor, why no background tasking?
Posted by Frank Mantica, USA
How many people out there have a touch phone and how many, when they move onto a laptop or conventional mobile phone touch the screen without thinking and nothing happens. Its so natural to go in this direction! No moving parts to worry about and the Apple operating system as well! What more could you want?
Posted by har19, USA
All this hype over the last few months has turned
this event into a big 'non event' for me.
Apple.com state this is 'a magical and revolutionary device' who are the trying to kid? it's an ipod touch on steroids! Starting at $499 which will probably mean it will sell in the for £399.
I'm going to hold out until they update the macbook pro.

Posted by harrison, USA
Good to see people have voted with twitter and as well as labeliing it #fail they are also rather amusingly naming it #iTampon too :D Posted by Andrew Jones, Scotland
I love Appe stuff, have had most of their products but this is a joke and people will be suckered in with style rather than substance. It can't do half the things a cheap laptop at half the price can do.

Can it Multitask?... NO
Can it run Skyplayer?... NO
Can it do Flash? (required for BBC site content... NO
Can you swap batteries?... NO
Can you do a skype videochat?... NO

$139 extra for 3G ????

What we have is an oversized iPod Touch I'll pass on this LOL

What IS worrying is that it does not bode well for this years revision of the iPhone as Apple's focus (probably understandable from a business sense) is on the cash cows of thier content stores.

I hope it bombs, I suspect it wont Posted by Iain, Scotland
To Iain:

If you want to Multi-task, run SkyPlayer, run Flash apps, swap batteries or do a Skype video chat then I suggest you buy a Netbook or Laptop. The iPad is NOT supposed to replace the Laptop/Phone. It simply gives you the best of both worlds and that is the portablilty of a phone and the functionalty of a Laptop in one small, light portable device. Posted by Nav, England
Hi Nav from England! u are a genius in figuring that out!!!! Posted by jester, denmark
@Nav That's precisely the point, it's *not* the best of any worlds. A phone needs to be pocketable, a netbook needs to be able to see 80% of the net, and an e-book reader needs a screen that won't result in eye strain and fatigue.

Unless the doubtless proprietary publications format takes a relentless stranglehold to force a consumers hand, this is a complete commercial turkey. Posted by L.Rawlins, UK
heard this thing has i work maybe? would be useful! as i'm a student an i don't have an iphone or itouch and my uni has great wifi plot i might get one but no flash is a deal breaker specially when i can get a very decent netbook! to do much more. im in two minds about it, camera is no big deal for me and multitasking i can kinda live with out though all the power not being used annoys me, forget the books pointless. i was expecting much more form apple, disappointing Posted by ant, UK
The new Apple Ipad has no camera/mic. (!) Can it be retrofitted with a camera/mic or is that not possible? Posted by alimaamoser, usa
i was wondering if anyone knows whether you will be able to jailbreak the iPad (not ipod) like the iphone? desperately keen to find out  thanks! Posted by ipad screen protector, Australia
magnificent.
To have a portable notebook with me at university, city, anywhere is simply amazing.
But this time i wont stick the Apple Logo onto my old notebook beacause if i win i'll have the original Apple! Posted by takacs levente, Romania