After weeks of waiting, speculation and fantasy about the electronic tablet or slate, Apple finally released the iPad, which according to the company is "a revolutionary device for browsing the web, reading and sending e-mail, enjoying photos, watching videos, listening to music, playing games, reading e-books and much more."
"iPad is our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "iPad creates and defines an entirely new category of devices that will connect users with their apps and content in a much more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before."
There is no word yet on the availability and pricing of the device in Malta, though Apple says it will be available worldwide in March.
"My first impressions is that Apple have done it again with this much anticipated product and have come up with a product that will fit customers' everyday needs and more," according to Adrian Micallef, general manager of iCentre, Malta's authorised Apple service provider.
"Apple is even now looking at a complete package in terms of hardware and software since the iPad is powered by Apple's newly-developed custom-designed and high-performance A4 processor. This is a big message to the market out there."
iPad will be available in three models depending on hard-disk size: 16GB, 32GB or 64GB. It also comes in two versions: one with Wi-Fi and the other with both Wi-Fi and 3G. The tablet includes the latest 802.11n Wi-Fi, and the 3G versions support speeds up to 7.2 Mbps on HSDPA networks.
A4, Apple's next-generation system-on-a-chip, is at the heart of the tablet. Designed by Apple, the A4 chip provides "exceptional processor and graphics performance along with long battery life of up to 10 hours".
iPad's high-resolution multi-touch 9.7-inch LED-backlit display lets users physically interact with applications and content. The tablet is just 1.27 cm thick and weighs just 0.68 kg - thinner and lighter than any laptop or netbook. It also includes 12 new apps designed especially for the device, and will run almost all the apps in the App Store, according to Apple. This includes apps already purchasable for iPhone or iPod touch.
"Reading and sending e-mail is fun and easy on iPad's large screen and almost full-size 'soft' keyboard. Import photos from a Mac, PC or digital camera, see them organised as albums, and enjoy and share them using iPad's elegant slideshows. Watch movies, TV shows and YouTube, all in HD or flip through pages of an e-book you downloaded from Apple's new iBookstore while listening to your music collection," the company said.
Apple also announced the new iBooks app for iPad, which includes the new iBookstore, to browse, buy and read books on a mobile device. The iBookstore will feature books from major and independent publishers.
Apple also introduced a new version of iWork for iPad, the first desktop-class productivity suite designed specifically for multi-touch. With Pages, Keynote and Numbers users can create documents, presentations with animations and transitions, and spreadsheets with charts, functions and formulas.
The three apps will be available separately through the App Store.
iPad syncs with iTunes just like the iPhone and iPod touch, using the standard Apple 30-pin to USB cable, so users can sync all of their contacts, photos, music, movies, TV shows, applications and more from a Mac or PC. All the apps and content downloaded on iPad from the App Store, iTunes Store and iBookstore will be automatically synced to the users' iTunes library the next time they connect with their computer.
iPad also connects to the new iPad Keyboard Dock with a full-size traditional keyboard.
www.apple.com/ipad