IN SAN FRANCISCO
APPLE finally launched its tablet computer called the iPad which can surf the Web, handle spreadsheets, craft presentations, read e-books, play movies as well as double up as an iPod.
After nearly a year of speculation about its new creation, all the rumours about its features and specifications have been put to rest.
On Wednesday morning in San Francisco, a thin Steve Jobs, Apple’s chief executive officer, took to the stage to unveil the iPad. Nothing surprising in the form factor. It is light at 1kg and slim with a 15.24mm girth. It does have a touchscreen, a nice-sized one at 9.7 inches and it will have colour.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs on Wednesday unveiled its
highly anticipated tablet computer, the iPad.
Photo: Reuters
The surprise is that it will be powered by Apple’s own custom microprocessor called A4.
It has the same operating system as the iPhone and access to the 140,000 apps on App Store. The device will be able to access wireless or 3G signals to access the Web.
Running on an iPhone OS is good news because it has an "instant-on" function: Press one button to boot up unlike a computer which needs a few seconds to stir.
The other bit of good news is that the iPad will have access to the iPhone’s 140,000 apps in the App Store. Apple is releasing a iPad software development kit letting third-party developers to build special software unique to the iPad.
Three models, all equipped with flash storage – the reason for its lightness - are available. The 16GB entry level is priced at US$429 (S$596). The other two are US$529 and US$629 for the 32GB and 64GB models respectively.
Prices for Singapore are not known yet. While the wireless iPad will be available in March, the 3G model will be launched in 90 days time with local telcos around the worldwide. For the 3G model, buyers will have to add US$130 more.
In the US, Apple has also cleverly built in the data plan when the 3G model is available. It’s US$14.99 for a 240MB plan and US$29.99 for unlimited plan.
Getting their hands on the first iPads.
ST Photo: Grace Chng
About 300 journalists queued up as early as 8am to blog and to be the first in the line to get into the Yerba Buena Arts Centre. The weather cooperated. After about 10 days of continuous rain and overcast sky, the morning was crisp and dry.
Space was limited and only pre-invited journalists were admitted. That didn’t stop journalists from turning up to try to get in. There wasn’t as much as jostling as I expected.
The Arts Centre boasts a smaller auditorium but it also meant that everyone could see Steve Jobs without any jumbotrom screen. In fact, I was seated 10 rows from the front when I would be about 100 rows from the front if the event was held in the neighbouring Moscone expo centre, where the annual Macworld exhibition is held.
Today’s event was the climax of months of hype. Apple was tightlipped, nary a fact dropped from its mouth. Even Apple Asia Pacific staff was not in the know and was as eager to see the company’s latest creation.
With the surprise taken out, there was still room for a few wows. The sleek design is sure to be a conversation starter for many people. While many will think it is an iPod/iPhone on steroids, I think that the design, features and the price make it a compelling device for consumers – especially Apple fans - who are early tech adopters.
Why?
First, light and sleek. It will not wear down your shoulder bag and it will certainly be a conversation starter wherever you bring it.
Second, the iPad has Apple’s signature ease of use interface. It functions like an enlarged iPhone. Like the iPhone, users touch on icons to surf or to text messages, swipe the finger across the screen to move from one page to another or pinch two fingers together to make a photo smaller.
If you need to type, you can call up a virtual keyboard. You can also see photos vertically or turn the iPad sideways to see it in landscape mode.
Third, price. The US$499 price tag is for netbooks today albeit for the higher-end devices. But at this price, you get much more than a netbook. You get an iPod, e-reader, a Web browser plus access to 140,000 applications.
Fourth, 10-hour battery life which means use it to read Dan Brown’s latest novel while I fly to Tokyo without the ereader powering down.
Will I buy it?
Grace test drives the iPad.
Photo: Grace Chng
Yes I will. It would be the mobile device I take with me when I travel on leisure or when I chill out at the coffee places.
I usually have my notebook computer with me when I go on holiday to watch videos or TV programmes I’ve bought as DVDs or from Internet. But the notebook isn’t light. Already my masseur is complaining that excessive carrying of a heavy shoulder bag or backpack has caused tight shoulder muscles and he has to work very hard to iron out these kinks.
So a light device like the iPad will benefit me nicely.
Since most hotels now offer free wireless in the lobby areas, I can quickly check my personal e-mail without chalking up a high data roaming charge. If I really need to do anything more, that is, write last minute stories, I can hook up to the optional keyboard which I buy for US$69.
So which model will I buy? Right now I’m inclined to the 64GB model. Since my music collection is already a good 5GB, and movies and TV programmes is likely to quickly soak up another 40GB. Although e-books do not take up a lot of space, there will be magazines that come with video clips. So a 64GB will soon be filled.
Follow stcom on Twitter as Grace Chng follows up with more updates from San Francisco later today.
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Visit Apple's website for a special video of the iPad.