The world has been waiting impatiently for the day when Apple would finally spill all the details on its tablet – and it has finally arrived: the iPad.But is it all hype and no substance, or has Apple managed to once again release a game changing device onto the world? We give you all the information you need on Apple's latest toy.
1. Coming to the rest of the World?
The main question we're all asking is: when can we get this? Well, although Jobs did say that Apple was in talks to bring the 3G iPad internationally (with an announcement in June) we've yet to get a firm date. But don't go expecting to get your hands on one before summer. The Wi-Fi version should be in the shops, however.
2. All you can eat data
Apple has taken a slightly different route with the iPad – not only does it come with a 3G connection (on the more expensive models) but Apple is offering one off payments for monthly data. Based on the US figures, we'd imagine this will be $18 per month for 250MB of data (which Jobs laughably said would be enough for most people) and around $27 for unlimited data – likely with free Wi-Fi.
3. All about speed
One of the big announcements of the iPad launch was Apple's own chip – the 1GHz Apple A4 chip to be precise. This is significant not only because it marks Apple's new strategy into its own chips, but it means the device is FAST. Early hands on reviews have confirmed this – it's like the iPhone, but only a lot, lot more nippy when navigating around.
4. A number of native apps
You might have noticed that Apple's 'into' applications – and that's evident in even greater force in the iPad release. We saw native applications from EA in the shape of Need for Speed Shift and the NY Times, with both taking advantage of the wider screen and higher-res display.
Apple also announced it has overhauled IWork for the iPad, meaning a snazzier UI and the ability to download individual components for only $9.99 (£6) each, making it easier to decide how you want your device to help you function.
5. No multi-tasking
Here's where Apple dropped the ball a little bit – carrying the mistakes of the iPhone into the iPad. There was no hint of multi-tasking, which is what you're going to want to do on a device like this all the time, and Flash was absent again, thus ruining the web browsing experience.
We're not saying that Apple has to offer these elements, but a 10 hour battery life surely wouldn't have been compromised that much by being able to run two things at once, surely?
6. Gaming game-changer?
We did think that gaming would be at the forefront of the iPad, It's not, but there is some pretty awesome gaming functionality.
Like the iPod on-board is an accelerometer so you can move things on the screen by moving the device and there's also a neat option that allows you to move an on-screen d-pad to where you want it.
Although all iPhone games are compatible with the iPad, the system does look a little like an upscaled version of the gaming fun you have on the iPhone and not a game-changer as some expected.
7. Size matters
The iPad is a beast of a handheld device. Although it doesn't quite stray into netbook territory, the screen does measure 9.7inches diagonally and it weighs 680 grammes.
Thickness-wise it's a reasonable 0.5 inches thick but, by the power of Grayskull – or decent designing by Jonathon Ive – the iPad feels slimmer on the edges where you hold the thing.
8. Death to books, long live ebooks
Apple has done something that the Amazon Kindle, Sony Reader and countless other e-reader have failed to do – make books sexy again.
The iBooks store is just like iTunes for books. This means it's accessible and easy to use. Not only that, Apple using the ePub format means it is not playing the proprietry game any more!
Price-wise, The Lovely Bones is on the store for $4.99, but expect to pay around $9.99 for most of the books in the store.
9. Screen queen
Apple has not gone for an OLED screen as some rumours led us to believe but instead opted for an LED-backlit screen, which has 1,024 x 768 resolution and is superbright.
Apple has opted to use something called In-Plane Switching (IPS) technology which is great for wide viewing angles – around 178-degrees Apple is boasting and much improved colour accuracy.
10 Accessorise me
The Tablet could well be a game-changer because of the accessories which will be released with the device. The most jaw-dropping of which is the detachable keyboard. Simple in its execution, the iPad slips into the keyboard so when you are not on the go, you can use it just like a computer.
This may well be the thing that sways those not yet happy with the idea of just buying a tablet.
Other accessories include a dock, so you can watch movies on the iPad easier and even use it as a (rather expensive) digital photo frame if you so wish
