a single click. All you need is Adobe Reader.
For use with either a modern browser, or an RSS program.
Apple Launches iPad
Full details from this evening's announcement
Written by Jon Seddon, 27 January 2010
For a few weeks now everyone has been expecting Apple to launch their multi-touch large format device and they didn't disappoint, announcing the iPad at their San Francisco event. Looking essentially like a very big iPhone that's also what you're getting.
The iPad will provide most of the functionality of the iPhone and iTouch, but it's larger, higher resolution screen will provide new opportunities to ignore your other half whilst listening to podcasts.
Specific new functionality includes an eReader, which are very popular in North America with Amazon's Kindle amongst the more popular. In support of this they will be launching an iBook store .
You will also get an HD YouTube player, a PDF reader and you will also be able to purchase Apple's productivity applications under the iWork umbrella.
As far as games, expect enhanced versions of the current App Store games with support from the likes of EA and Gameloft. EA were on stage showing Need for Speed and said to expect more soon. No new way to control the games though with still no physical input devices, although docking stations with keyboards will be available, so it's not out of the question that controllers will eventually be produced. Regardless, with the extra screen there will be much more room for those virtual controls without obscuring the action with fingers and thumbs.
In terms of specs you'll be getting something 0.5" thick with a 9.7" screen that weighs 1.5 pounds. Battery life is reported to be 10 hours, which would be a godsend for suffering iPhone users. It will be powered by a custom 1Ghz Apple A4 chip and come with between 16 and 64 GB of memory.
Communications will be handled by 802.11n and optionally 3G in the higher end models. How this will work for existing iPhone owners wasn't clear, but the thought of having two mobile contracts doesn't appeal. Expect a daftly expensive exclusive deal with a UK operator to be announced shortly!
So there you have it. It's not a laptop, it's not an iPhone and do we really need? I suspect that will depend on the application support and how often you see them on the laps of other commuters.
Oh yeah price - these are the dollar prices, so expect to replace the $ signs with £ signs.
Wi-Fi models:
$499 - 16GB
$599 - 32GB
$699 - 64 GB
3G models are:
$629 - 16GB
$729 - 32GB
$829 - 64 GB
Wi-Fi models will be available in 60 days and 3G models in 90 days.
