The Apple iPad: Will you buy one?

Whew! Finally we can stop all the speculating and rumor-mongering. The Apple iPad is here, and it's an...interesting device, to say the least. Some folks are no doubt gaga over it, while others probably came away thinking, "That's it?!"

How about you? Think you'll pull the trigger on an iPad? If so, which of the six (!) available configurations will you choose?

If not, why not? Did the device not live up to your expectations? (You didn't really think it was part hoverboard, did you? Yeah, me too.)

Cast your vote in our poll, then hit the comments to discuss why you will or won't be buying an iPad--or whether the jury's still out.

Apple iPad starts at $499, crammed with features

Chances are that even if you're living under a rock, you know something happened over at Apple Wednesday. The blogosphere and interwebs were buzzing on how this mystery tablet could revolutionize e-books, gaming and portable computing (I'm surprised hygiene isn't in there).

Apple Introduces IWork for IPad

Apple today at its iPad introduction announced a new version of iWork designed specifically for the iPad. The iWork for iPad application suite broadens the potential target audience for the iPad.

iWork is Apple productivity software suite, which includes Keynote (for presentations), Numbers (spreadsheets), and Pages (word processing). The new iWork for iPad suite takes advantage of the iPad's multitouch input.

At today's event, Apple's Phil Schiller demonstrated each app on the iPad. All of the iWork apps launch to a library of documents that allow you to tap on the document you want to open. An on-screen keyboard appears when you need to type text.

Keynote runs only in landscape mode, since slides are designed horizontally. Pages has a new tool called Page Navigator, where you hold your finger on the right of the iPad's screen and it brings up a loupe that lets you skim through your pages. All three iWork apps come with templates to help you create documents quickly.

The iWork for iPad apps are $10 each and will be available at the iTunes App Store.

We'll update this story as more details become available.

iPad: Apple's tablet announcement

After months of rumors, Apple has finally announced its much-hyped and long-awaited tablet computer, the iPad.

It's Official: Jobs Announces Apple's IPad

Apple on Wednesday launched its much-awaited iPad tablet device, a handheld that will allow users to view movies, surf the Internet and play high-definition games.


The device, priced starting at US$499 for a 16GB version, is set to ship worldwide in 60 days, Jobs said.

"We want to kick off 2010 by introducing a truly magical and revolutionary product," Apple CEO Steve Jobs said, after taking the stage in front of a throng of media and IT luminaries at the Yerba Buena Center for the Performing Arts in San Francisco.

"Everybody uses a laptop and smartphone. A question has arisen: Is there room for a third device between a [laptop] and smartphone?" Jobs asked. "We've got something that is. We call it the iPad."

iPad features include the ability to browse the Web and listen to music, with photo, calendar, and maps applications. It will work with the iTunes store to let users discover and purchase music, movies and TV shows, Jobs added.

When the iPad is turned sideways, it orients the view for the user. "It's a dream to type on," Jobs said, demonstrating that feature.

Like the iPhone, the iPad has a virtual keyboard. It is about half an inch thick, weighs 1.5 pounds, has a 9.7-inch display, and offers internal storage option capacities of 16GB, 32GB or 64GB. The device is powered by in-house custom silicon, a 1GHz A4 chip, Jobs said. Wireless features include 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology. It also includes support for 3G technology

"We've been able to achieve 10 hours of battery life," Jobs said.

Jobs demonstrated various built-in applications including a photobook that lets users scroll through photos and display slide shows in various modes. A built-in iPod and iTunes store lets users scroll through albums to play songs as well as sample tunes, while calendar, contact and address applications let users track personal events and other data.