The New Apple iPad

Well he has done it again folks. Steve Jobs and Apple INC. continue to take us to the next level with technology with the Apple iPad. After announcing a record breaking 4th quarter for what was formerly known as Apple Computers, Steve Jobs introduces the Apple iPad in a press conference yesterday. Think Kindle on steroids! This device is Apple’s version of the netbook, so popular on the PC format, but with an iPhone interface.

“This is a positive move toward touchscreen technology which is the order of the day” says Eric Patterson of iPhoneiCandi. “The user interface on the iPhone is the industry leader and now Jobs has taken that same format and integrated it into a foundation that iPhone users are familiar with. I’m curious as to what MS and Google will do to counter this. ‘iPhone Killers’ haven’t worked, but now they have to find an iPad killer”.

The iPad will be available in 3 memory sizes-16GB, 32GB, and 64GB. The 9.7 inch screen makes for a nice viewing area for reading your new e-book downloaded from the Apple iBook app that will be native to the new device.  It also has the ability to run the iPhone application right out of the box. It can connect to your Mac or PC, via USB and it can play HD video (1024×768 or 780p).

The dimensions are 9.5 inches x 7.5 inches x 0.5 inches. iPad weighs in at 1.5 pounds and is powered by Apples own 1GHz A4 chip. In addition, it has a microphone, accelerometer, compass, Bluetooth 2.1, 802.11n Wi-Fi, and 3G available on the higher end models for those who need more than just Wi-Fi access. It’s a very fast little device and a great size for surfing the net with its full multi-touch screen. Battery life is 10 hours at full use and it will last a month on standby.

The interface is a custom version of the iPhone 3.2 OS, and there is a new SDK for developers. As mentioned, the iPad can run all of the iPhone apps, but you can run them in their native resolution or double pixel mode resolution to accommodate the large screen on the iPad.

For the web-surfer, the iPad will use Safari as the internet browser, like its smaller brother the iPhone. One big issue is that it doesn’t support Flash which could be a deterrent for the same people who dislike that inability on the iPhone. The Photo app does add new features and some multi-touch input changes that allow you to manage photos easier as well as view and organize multiple pictures.

The iPad pricing is nice too. They start at $499 and top out at $829 for the 64GB 3G model. That’s cheaper than the base model iPhone 3G S 16GB if you buy it outright from Apple. There is no phone services available, but that’s what you have the iPhone for… and hackers. I’m sure you could also use VOIP since there is a microphone available and speakers. Keep it up Steve. More photos for your viewing pleasure.

iPad