Apple CEO Steve Jobs shows off the new iPad during an event Wednesday. By the way, am I the only one who thinks he looks like he's going to kiss it? (Paul Sakuma/AP) |
General reception, besides some snickering at the name (come on, I heard you laughing, too), seems fairly positive. But, what does it offer besides a pretty display? Will it have the easy elegance and power that the iPhone offers?
The basics:
• The iPad has a 9.7-inch touch screen, is a half-inch thick, weighs 1.5 pounds
• It comes with 16, 32 or 64 gigabytes of flash memory storage
• The basic models will cost $499, $599 and $699, depending on the storage size
• All models have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity built in; a version with pay-as-you-go 3G data plans from AT&T will be available in the U.S., but those models will cost more depending on memory
• The Wi-Fi only version will be available worldwide in March, and the 3G version in April.
Anyway, as much as I whined and pouted, I wasn't able to manage a hands-on with the device, so I'm still formulating my final opinion on it. But other bloggers have plenty of thoughts to offer:
• Engadget gets to play with the iPad and compares 3G costs on the iPhone vs. iPad.
• Pulptone: How the iPad could affect the comic book industry
• New York Times: With Apple Tablet, Print Media Hope for a Payday
• MSNBC: iPad reactions: Nothing could have met hype
So, who wants one? I know I do :)