Long-awaited iPad has web, books and pics

Jan 28 2010 By The Journal

COMPUTER giant Apple unveiled its long-awaited iPad device last night, claiming it bridged the gap between the laptop and the smartphone.

At a press conference in San Francisco, Apple chief executive Steve Jobs unveiled the black touchscreen tablet device designed for browsing the web, watching videos, sharing photos and reading eBooks.

The slim black device resembles a larger version of Apple’s iPhone and features a 24.6cm display with a touchscreen Qwerty keyboard which appears on screen for typing emails.

Mr Jobs demonstrated the device live on stage, browsing YouTube, Google maps, its built-in iTunes store and even played Disney’s Pixar’s animated film Up.

Powered by a 1GHz Apple A4 chip, the iPad weighs just 680g but includes a speaker, microphone, accelerometer, compass, Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity and promises a 10-hour battery life.

Scott Forstall, from Apple’s iPhone apps division, said the iPad can run any of the iPhone’s apps (applications), downloaded from the iTunes store – allowing users to synchronise their existing apps. He described the potential of the iPad’s larger screen as a "gold rush" for software developers.

The iPad can also be used as an electronic reader (eReader) offering new possibilities for the publishing industry.

Jim Sloane, lead technology partner at business advisory firm Deloitte, said the iPad – and other upcoming tablet devices – could have a detrimental impact on the traditional eReader’s market. He said: "The rise of the net tablet could impact other segments, such as growth of the nascent eReader market. For every million net tablets sold there could be a corresponding impact on eReaders."

However, British eReader manufacturer Interead, which produces the Cool-er device, disagreed.

Interead chief executive Neil Jones said: "I have no doubt that the launch of Apple’s new device will have a great impact on the technology industry."