The iPad is official! Check out iPad pictures, then read early iPad reviews. Send us tips and photos at technology@huffingtonpost.com.
UPDATED 2/1/2010 2:14 PM ET: The Apple iPad may ship with a webcam, writes Wired.
The Business Insider has more Apple iPad rumors, and claims a Verizon source said that Apple is working with Verizon on a version of the Apple iPad.
UPDATED 1/28/2010 12:08 PM ET: What are the iPad's features--and what is it missing? Check out 13 things you need to know about the iPad.
UPDATED 1/28/2010 8:38 AM ET: The Wall Street Journal's Walt Mossberg has shared his first impressions of the new iPad.
He writes,
While all sorts of commentators were focusing on how much Apple�s new $499 iPad tablet computer looks like an oversized iPhone, the key to whether it can be the first multi-function tablet to win wide public acceptance probably lies in whether consumers perceive it as a suitable replacement for a laptop in key scenarios. And that, in my view, depends heavily on the software and services that flow through its handsome little body.
Mossberg describes the iPad as a hybrid between a laptop and a smartphone. Although he notes that the iPad is "more than just a giant iPod Touch or iPhone, even though it looks like one" he still wonders: "will that be enough to get consumers to shell out for it, and make it part of their daily lives?" What do you think?
He also reports that Apple's iPad partnership with AT&T elicited strong reactions from the audience attending Apple's announcement: "there were groans and boos among Mr. Jobs� otherwise excited audience when this [partnership] was announced."
UPDATED 1/27/2010 6:20 PM ET: Check out our guide (with photos!) to the coolest new iPad features.
UPDATED 1/27/2010 5:25 PM ET: The biggest criticism of the iPad so far has been its name.
The web and Twitterverse are abuzz with snide, incredulous, and critical comments--and many, many comparisons between the new Tablet and feminine hygiene products.
'iMaxipad,' 'iPeriod,' and 'iTampon' were trending topics on Twitter shortly after the iPad announcement (see screenshot below).
Fast Company observes,
But it was the females in the crowd who read more into Apple's menstrual pun. They seemed to think Apple's name was indicative of a male-helmed team oblivious to the fact that they were pushing an insensitively-named product. "Surely no women were involved in naming it the iPad" was a widely-reTweeted sentiment. Another: "iPad: Proof not enough women work in the Apple Naming Department."
UPDATED 4:59 PM ET: Before its launch, the Apple Tablet was rumored to be a device that would revolutionize media and take the print world digital.
The Wall Street Journal reports on the media's reaction to the iPad launch, noting that the device's potential impact appears to be greatest for the book industry. The WSJ adds,
Apple hasn't talked much about movies and TV shows, apart from showing off video of Paramount's "Star Trek" movie and other content that looks like it's from iTunes. No mention of magazines, which have been turning themselves inside-out to prep prototypes of their titles for devices that look suspiciously like the iPad.
UPDATED 4:49 PM ET:The New York Times' David Pogue has gone on record on the iPad. His take: 'it looks like Apple really has created something new.'
He writes, 'Criticisms of "Like a laptop" and "a big iPod Touch" don't really do justice to the possibilities.' Although he admits not having gotten his hands on the device, he notes, 'Overall, the iPad seems like a dream screen for reading and watching--at some loss of convenience in creating. '
UPDATED 3:48 PM ET: Can the iPad live up to the hype? We're doing a iPad review roundup with early reactions to the device.
Gizmodo also has an extensive description of the iPad Tablet "hands on":
Apple didn't really sell this point, but it's the single biggest benefit of the iPad: speed. It feels at least a generation faster than the iPhone 3GS. Lags and waits are gone, and the OS and apps respond just as quickly as you'd hope. Rotating between portrait and landscape modes, especially, is where this new horsepower manifests in the OS.
HuffPost Tech blogger Tanja Aitamurto writes from the Apple event,
Wow! Got my hands on the iPad. feels light, sleek, almost like a friend already. It's very intuitive to use, similar to iPhone. Good for reading. IBooks store is like iTunes, funky and easy to use
Robert Scoble (@Scobleizer) posted in a tweet, "On a scale of 1 to 10, did iPad meet your hype expectations? My expectations were 10. iPad showed up with a 8.7. My mind was not blown." He followed up with, "Of course compared to Microsoft at CES, which I would have scored a 4.9, an 8.7 is pretty damn good."
Check out more reviews here.
UPDATED 3:37 PM ET:Apple has released an official iPad video, demonstrating the features of the product. See it below.
WATCH:
UPDATED 2:52 PM ET: iPad vs. Kindle: Will Apple's new Tablet make eReaders obsolete? Check out HuffPost Books' take on the eReader wars.
UPDATED 2:41 PM ET: So how much does data cost? (see iPad pricing below).
Apple has a "breakthrough deal with AT&T" that will give iPad users 250 MB of data a month for $14.99, or unlimited data for $29.99. iPad users also have free access to AT&T WiFi hotspots.
UPDATED 2:39 PM ET: The Apple iPad is live on the Apple website.
UPDATED 2:34 PM ET:Steve Jobs says of the iPad's price: "iPad is our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price." (via @Mediatwit)
Apple also says it wants to be at the "intersection of technology and liberal arts."
UPDATED 2:29 PM ET: Pictures of the Apple iPad have been posted on HuffPost Tech here. Check out a video of Steve Jobs unveiling the iPad here.
UPDATED 2:21 PM ET: iPad availability:
Via Gizmodo:
"We will be shipping iPads in 60 days, worldwide availability of Wi-Fi models." It'll be another 30 days beyond that for 3G models.
UPDATED 2:20 PM ET: Pricing for the iPad Tablet has been announced: "We want to put this in the hands of lots of people," says Jobs. The iPad price starts at $499 for a 16GB model. A 32GB model will cost $599, a 64GB model $699. These prices are for Wi-Fi only devices. A Wi-Fi and 3G enabled iPad will cost $629 for 16GB, $729 for 32 GB, and $829 for 64 GB.
UPDATED 2:05 PM ET: Apple has announced that it will be launching iBooks, a new iTunes-like store for books and accompanying app to browse books on the new iPad.
Penguin, Harper Collins, Simon & Schuster, Macmillan, Hachette will be among the publishers offering their content on iBooks.
UPDATED 1:46 PM ET: According to posts on Twitter, there will not be a camera on the iPad. Here are some features Gizmodo reports will be included with the iPad: It has 802.11n, Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR. 30-pin connector, speaker, microphone, accelerometer and compass."
UPDATED 1:35 PM ET: The 'iPad' name is already getting knocks. A CNBC commentator said, 'iPad reminds me of feminine products.' What do you think?
A Twitter user posted,
yuck. so it's officially called the ipad? doesn't that sound like a playtex product?
UPDATED 1:29 PM ET: A few specs on the iPad tablet: it weighs 1.5 pounds, is .5 inches thick, has a "gorgeous" 9.7 inch IPS display, which Jobs says is "super high quality." It is also Wi-Fi enabled and has 10 hours of battery life.
From Gizmodo's live blog:
The music player is also very similar to the iPhone's, but also very similar to actual iTunes. It's a hybrid.
And here's the keyboard: "it's a dream to type on", and it looks like a giant iPhone keyboard. "It's almost life size."
UPDATED 1:19 PM ET: The Apple Tablet has been officially unveiled: it will be called the 'iPad.' See a photo of the iPad below, and get more pictures here.
UPDATED 1:09 PM ET: Engadget reports from Steve Jobs' keynote:
"SO all of us use laptops and smartphones... the question has arisen; is there room for something in the middle. We've wondered for years as well -- in order to create that category, they have to be far better at doing some key tasks... better than the laptop, better than the smartphone."
UPDATED 12:57 PM ET: Get live streaming video of the Apple announcement here.
UPDATED 1/27/2010 11:30AM ET:
Want to check out Apple Tablet reviews? Some early details about the product have been leaked. Get a first look at the Apple Tablet--and why it's been called "the best gadget ever."
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UPDATED 1/27/2010 8:30 AM ET: The Apple Tablet announcement is expected to come today, January 27, 2010.
The rumored Apple Tablet announcement will take place in San Francisco at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater. It is set to begin at 10 AM PST.
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UPDATED 1/27/2010 8:15 AM ET: Some new information has leaked in advance of the Apple announcement:
McGraw-Hill CEO appears to have confirmed the Apple Tablet on CNBC, calling it 'terrific.'
Engadget received some (unconfirmed) details on the Apple Tablet, including its price:
On a totally separate note, we also received a tip claiming to have some specs -- we can't verify any of this either, but we're told that the device will have a 10-inch screen and look like a larger iPhone with a MacBook-like aluminum back, and that pricing will run $800 on contract with Verizon and $1000 without when it arrives in March.