Steve Jobs announces the Apple iPad from $499 for 16GB
With a relatively short preamble — a few weeks ago Apple sold its 250 millionth iPod — Apple’s CEO jumped right in and introduced the world to the company’s “latest creation,” which looks quite like a big iPod touch or iPhone, which bears out one of the earliest rumors about the device.
Steve Jobs and Apple have announced its latest creation, the iPad. Images of the iPad event are available on Engadget. Also, MacBreak Weekly (a.k.a. Leo Laporte) is running an audio + video feed, which is digesting today’s announcements with Alex, Leo, .
iPad specs so far
• 9.7 inch display, one month of standby
— 0.5 inches thick, 1.5 pounds
• 10 hours battery
• 802.11n, Bluetooth
• 1GHz Apple A4 chip (P.A. Semi)
• Syncs via USB “just like an iPod or iPhone” via iTunes
• (Almost) all iPhone apps just work, run unmodified
• Gaming simply rocks
• 16GB, 32GB, 64GB sizes
• iBooks app and store
— NYT Bestsellers, top five publishers
— Interface cribs from Delicious Library (I hope they bought it)
— Easily customize book appearance (fonts, etc.)
• iWork for iPad (another rumor comes true)
— New input gestures, but they look very natural, easy to learn
— iWork apps to sell for $9.99 each
And, yes, the iPad does look a lot like a large iPod touch, which has been a continuing theme of the rumors leading up to today’s event — the iPod touch on steroids.
The iPad has 3G wireless with a 256MB plan going for $14.99 and an “unlimited” plan for $29.99, but it’s through AT&T. The good news is that there’s no contract — so a mixed bag on the 3G front.
The nice twist is that the iPad ships unlocked, which I suspect means that T-Mobile will be compatible, as well, and choice is good.
Pricing is 16GB for $499, 32GB at $599 and 64GB $699 with 3G models going for $130 more each and availability in 60 days for the Wi-Fi only units and another 30 days after that for 3G (i.e. $629, $729 and $829).
Sound off with your impressions of the iPad (and SFW jokes about the name)…
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