Apple iPad recap

By on Jan 27, 2010 at 3:38 PM
Breaking January 27, 2010

If you were following this morning’s Apple announcement, it may have been quite overwhelming and your head could be spinning in confusion. We’re here to clear things up and give you additional details over what we posted this morning. What we know so far is that the device itself, in terms of hardware and software, doesn’t disappoint. Out of the box, it can support every single application available in the iTunes App Store right now. There is a new version of iWork available for the iPad — with each application going for $9.99 (which means $30 for the whole kaboodle). The Wi-Fi only version will be available in 60 days, and the 3G and Wi-Fi versions in 90 days. Hit the break as we break it down for you!

First, Connectivity and the Internet

The iPad comes with Wi-Fi — duh. What everyone was waiting for is a 3G version with carrier support. For better or worse, most of you will think the latter, the iPad will be on AT&T in the U.S. Data plan pricing, however, is respectable: $14.99 for 250MB per month, or $29.99 for all-you-can-hoard data. However, Steve Jobs did mention that the iPad is unlocked and supports micro-SIMS – this means if your carrier supports micro-SIMS, there’s no real reason for the inability to connect to the Internet.

Different Strokes For Different Folks

If you thought there was only going to be one version of this device, perhaps you haven’t been keeping up! There will be three different storage capacity options in one of two possible categories: Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi + 3G. As we mentioned earlier, there will be 16GB, 32GB and 64GB versions to choose from depending on your needs.

The Price Is Right

Most analysts were throwing around high numbers for iPad pricing, usually starting around $1,000 and working their way up. However, when Steve Jobs said, “Grab the iPad that’s in the kitchen,” we were thinking that this is going to be a really accessible and affordable device if you can leave it lying around the house. Sure enough, the iPad starts at $499 for the 16GB Wi-Fi only version. The 32GB and 64GB Wi-Fi only versions go for $599 and $699, respectively.

For the Wi-Fi + 3G versions, the price gets a little bit higher, but we would rather spend the extra cash to have the 3G. After all, it’s better to have it and not need it than, well, you know where we’re going with this. So, for 16GB, 32GB and 64GB you’re looking to dish out $629, $729 and $829, respectively.

An E-Reader To End All E-Readers

Hardcore bibliophiles need their books. It’s part of the reason why the Amazon Kindle and the Barnes & Noble Nook are such hot commodities right now. But would you pay for a Kindle or Nook if, for just a little extra, you can have an e-reader that supports over 140,000 applications and offers real web browsing and media playback? Probably not. The iPad features iBooks, an application that looks strikingly similar to the “Classics” app available for the iPhone now. Books are displayed on a bookshelf and selecting one opens the book, just like on the iPhone app. It’s a very slick and clean interface and easy to read. There is the argument that e-Ink is so much easier on the eyes, but we spend all day reading blogs and news on the Internet without too many complaints, especially with LED-backlit displays which the iPad makes use of. And with 10 hours of battery life and a month of stand-by time, you won’t be rushing to grab your charger just before you find out what happens to Alex Cross in the last chapter.

One More Thing…

So we have a giant iPhone with long battery life and a faster processor — Apple’s very own 1GHz A4. It supports all the iPhone apps, has an oleophobic touchscreen, ambient light sensors and an accelerometer. But come on, Apple! Where is multi-tasking? Where are the front or rear facing cameras? Apple wanted to fill in the gap between the iPhone and the Macbook, and Jobs said that netbooks were definitely not the answer — “cheap, underpowered laptops.” Going by that logic of fill-in-the-gaps, we should at least be able to expect multi-tasking and cameras for video chat. Throw in these few, critical extras and we’d be jumping up and down.

The Apple iPad is a hot device, no doubt about that. Our only concern is its current 3G options are limited to AT&T right now and there is no multi-tasking. Are these dealbreakers? Well, that all depends on you and how important these features are. It also depends on whether AT&T does something about its network performance and what coverage is like in your area (if you’re considering the Wi-Fi with 3G version). Barring those few issues, if they’re not a big deal to you then we really can’t see why you wouldn’t want to pick up this slick new device from Apple. For what it is, and especially compared to what’s out there, they definitely just moved the goal posts for almost every other competitor in category.

Read

Tags:
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
254 Comments

Related Articles

  • JOE Shtekler

    it is not a tablet for sure
    jobs cald it ipad for a reson it is a big ipod tuch that will run on WIFI and 3G
    I can’t give up my IBM tablet yet

  • stu

    Does anyone know if the iPad can be used to store Poewrpoint and Wrod files, and then use the iPad to make presentations (somehow connecting it)?

  • boomKABOOM

    I can see 1 idiot taking this on a train and sitting there, with half the train making eyes at him, watching something god awful… and every one with there Iphones and Androids and windows phones going Dude you blind?
    I can see my app in HD!! woooooow!

    Ifart

  • Roger A

    Apple wanted to fill in the gap between the iPhone and the Macbook, and Jobs said that netbooks were definitely not the answer — “cheap, underpowered laptops.”

    So instead they did one worse, took just the screen of the netbook and attempted to throw in some memory (1/2 of a netbook at TOPS) and still offer a “locked” device with MicroSIMS and AT&T network capability and tout it as “unlocked” – for shame!! Totally expected.

  • phonelover

    You can still use this on Verizon Wireless. Simply get a Mobile Broadband connection to the MIFI device. This device will let any WIFI capable device access the system. Then you can get Verizon Wireless service when using the MIFI and have access to their free WIFI services too!

  • jonathan

    funny how some here are calling it a failure before it’s even launched. I like it but will hold off in getting one at least till mid of this year. besides I need to save for it. Apple is the master at marketing and will most likely come out with a firmware upgrade within a couple of months of it’s release. Maybe multitasking? I really don’t think flash will be in, since Apple has QuickTime.

    Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone).

  • Jon

    It only has assisted-GPS (not a real GPS chip onboard) which means if you are out of range of a hot spot (or celluar coverage with 3g) none of the Navigation apps will be usuable, not to mention the social networking apps that use location data. So really the entire App store is not usuable on the iPad.

    Also wait until your coverage drops from 3G to Edge while on the road and you try to load Google Maps. It is painful!!!

    • CrownSeven

      Umm assisted GPS IS REAL GPS, but ENANCED so that if a cellular network in range, it will ALSO use that network to determine is position more precisely.

      I really wish you people who THINK you know tech to just do us all a favor and just keep it to yourselves.

  • gooftroop

    For everyone complaining about the ipad, here is what was said when the first ipod came out http://forums.macrumors.come/showthread.php?t=500 and look where it is now.
    Just sayin.. you never know what will come about with this.

  • Enzo1

    what’s painful is watching all you people suffer with 7ista! What was there before iphone, pain and suffering! Before Snow Leopard.. pain and suffering…. you just don’t get it, you like pain! So suffer on!

  • canadian52

    This will be very useful in the work force and will be way more mobile than a lap top Can’t wait to use it in the lab. We are blogging about the release too. http://cbt20.wordpress.com/2010/01/27/want-an-ipad-for-surfing-at-your-lab/

  • Enzo1

    Just so there’s no mistake, i’m a 51 year old man & you sir are WRONG about this product!

    • la verdad

      So buy the blasted thing and be quiet. Your age is irrelevant.

  • matt

    Wow apple lets make the same thing as the iphone except for a bigger screen! Always ripping people off making money. ….apple notorious for making the same thing over and over and over!

    • MikeD

      Uh would you be flapping your gums like this if Google made a Google-Pad, and its simply larger Droid or Nexus One? You’d would be all over it. Seriously get over the Apple hate. Double standards are riddled in your statement.

      Apple might have made the first successful Web Appliance. Too soon to know, but time will tell.

  • Enzo1

    499$ is a rip off? thats just spewing venom, Apple hatred… get off of the welfare, it won’t seem like so much money then

  • http://ipodipad.blogspot.com/ iPolice

    Ya! Agree with you guys on some point.
    anyway this is website about iPad technology and fun

    http://ipodipad.blogspot.com/
    iPad rock you !!
    check this out !!!

  • Enzo1

    125 million itunes subscribers? 6 million for 2010 might be a little low! the analysts keep upping the target.

  • http://www.iPhone-Everything.com www.iPhone-Everything.com

    Its not Spam, Bitch.
    Its something other than that.

    This thing will be perfect for me cause I do a lot of reading eBooks.. I’ve got my online work and a bunch of other things I do online..
    After all the freakin names that were coming out over this lil gadget I’m pleased its simpler than I tought. iPad.. Gosh

    • http://www.edoubleclicks.com John Green

      you are spamming right now, right here

  • jdlnmia

    I think it is the perfect thing for professionals that attend a lot of meetings – it could replace your Franklin-Covey/Filofax/DayTimer and along with the iWork apps, you could easily go paperless.

    Once iPhone/iPad OS 4.0 is out, I’m sure it will multitask.

    I think this will boost sales of the iMac, strangely enough! Think of it – your home base is a high-powered iMac with gobs of storage and the iPad allows you to bring stuff with you. I think it would be wise of Apple to release a “back to my Mac” client for this…

    I’m excited about it. So there.

  • Jonathan

    My first computer was a Mac SE and I was a very open Apple supporter till I got tired of Steve Jobs BS. The trend of them releasing apple products with outdated memory, just so they can sell upgrades every six months is borderline criminal. Look at the new iPad. They actually have the brass to sell the thing with 16bg of storage? Apple no longer even sells an iPod touch with anything less the 32gb!!! Even worse is they charge you $200 more for the 64gb model? I can get a 64gb CF for under $60 on the open market, I can only imagine what apple pays for them in bulk. Even 64gb on a multimedia device is near worthless. Apple is a a total marketing rip-off that targets the masses as a “trendy”, exploits parents into buying their kids overpriced and underpowered garbage. This is the reason why I no longer buy Apple products.

    Read more: http://antoniofarinha.com/blog/2010/01/30/why-the-ipad-is-a-useless-device/#ixzz0e8VSIsNr

  • Larry Carson

    Im curious and hope someone from Apple’s IPAD development Team will answer this directly…. I tried calling Apples Techies and got rude treatment.

    On the Ipad, will it do Hebrew? It seems that everytime a new device enters the Apple Arena, it is “void” the capabilities of doing Hebrew, until after much groaning and complaining it is then incorporated into the devices software system.

    Well…. Will the Ipad do Hebrew?

  • http://NONE GOHD

    ITS JUST AN OVER SIZED IPOD TOUCH.
    THE KEYBOARD IS TOO SMALL.
    ITS NOT A TOUCH SCREEN MAC.
    IT EVEN HAS THE HOME BUTTON THATS ON THE IPOD TOUCH AND THE IPHONE.
    IT DOESN’T HAVE USB PORTS, NO ETHERNET PORTS, NO FIREWIRE, NO CAMERA.
    THEY JUST SWITCHED THE “O” IN IPOD FOR AN “A” (IPAD).
    NO DISRESPECT STEVE UR AWESOME ITS JUST WHAT U CAME UP WITH IS A BAD IDEA, PEOPLE MIGHT JUST GET AN IPHONE. IM NOT BUYING ONE SORRY.

  • http://www.your-free-ipad.org stas

    I really think its going to be big with students on campus, imagine for research purposes and books,
    good by to the bak pack full of books :) )
    its really the future, and the ipad will grow in every way,
    specs,capacity, ect ect.

  • http://www.xby.ch klingeltöne handy

    The Ipad looks like fun to play with, but I doubt if you can really work with it? But many people will buy it because of it look.

  • john

    This is interesting, post ipads more often!

  • http://www.manuelsworld.ch Manuels World

    The iPad is much expensive I can’t buy it!
    But I will one!

1 … 5 6 7
blog comments powered by Disqus