The iPad

There has been a lot of hype about Apple's next big innovation. Rumors were flying around the web concerning the highly anticipated Apple press release. On January 27, 2010, Steve Jobs, Apple CEO, announced the new Apple iPad.

Perhaps the best way to explain the iPad is to call it a jack-of-all-trades. It has all the functionality of the iPod Touch, including gaming, music, and video. But it's also a day planner, e-mail device, Web tablet, e-book reader, digital picture frame, and portable DVD player.

The high-resolution, 9.7-inch LED-backlit IPS display on iPad is remarkably crisp and vivid. The multi-touch screen on iPad is based on the same revolutionary technology on the iPhone. But the technology has been completely reengineered for the larger iPad surface, making it extremely precise and responsive. The dementions of the iPad are height: 9.56 inches, width: 7.47 inches, depth: 0.5 inch, weight: 1.5 pounds (Wi-Fi model with out 3G). The iPad has up to ten hours battery life. It is also available with a choice of 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB of flash storage, giving you lots of room for your photos, movies, music, apps, and more.

With built-in 802.11n, iPad takes advantage of the fastest Wi-Fi networks. It automatically locates available Wi-Fi networks, which you can join with a few taps. iPad also comes with Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, letting you connect to devices like wireless headphones or the Apple Wireless Keyboard. The iPad is available with 3G capability. However, 3G has limited availability in Montana and this version of the ipad will not be available to purchase in the MSU Bookstore.

This new and exciting product from Apple may become much more compelling with the development of new applications specifically designed for the iPad between now and its ship dates. The iPad should be released in March or April of this year. The iPad can be purchased starting at $499 and will be available in the MSU Bookstore once shipped.

Source:
Video Release
Apple Website
Apple vs. Kindle article
Reasons For and Against Purchase an iPad article