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Apple unveils iPad tablet device | Apple unveils iPad tablet device |
(10 minutes later) | |
Apple has put an end to weeks of speculation by unveiling its tablet PC, which it has called the iPad. | |
Steve Jobs, Apple's chief executive unveiled the touchscreen device at an event in San Francisco. | |
Mr Jobs described the tablet, which will cost between $499 and $829, as a "third category" between smartphones and laptops. | |
The device, which looks like a large iPhone, can be used to watch films, play games and browse the web. | The device, which looks like a large iPhone, can be used to watch films, play games and browse the web. |
The firm has also done a deal with publishers including Penguin, Macmillian and Harper Collins to allow e-books to be downloaded directly to the device through a new iBook Store. | The firm has also done a deal with publishers including Penguin, Macmillian and Harper Collins to allow e-books to be downloaded directly to the device through a new iBook Store. |
"You can download right onto your iPad," said Mr Jobs. | "You can download right onto your iPad," said Mr Jobs. |
He also showed off magazines and newspapers on the device. | |
'Cheap laptops' | 'Cheap laptops' |
He told an audience of journalists, analysts and industry peers that the device lets people "hold the whole web in your hands". | He told an audience of journalists, analysts and industry peers that the device lets people "hold the whole web in your hands". |
"What this device does is extraordinary. It is the best browsing experience you have ever had," he said. | "What this device does is extraordinary. It is the best browsing experience you have ever had," he said. |
iPAD SPECS 9.7 inch- (25cm-) multi-touch display1 GHz Apple processor16-64 GB of flash memory0.5in- (1.25cm) thickWeighs 1.5lbs (0.7kgs) Wi-fi and 3G connectivity | iPAD SPECS 9.7 inch- (25cm-) multi-touch display1 GHz Apple processor16-64 GB of flash memory0.5in- (1.25cm) thickWeighs 1.5lbs (0.7kgs) Wi-fi and 3G connectivity |
The device has a 9.7-inch multi-touch display, allowing people to type directly on to the screen, as well as manipulate pictures and move control the action in games with their fingers. | The device has a 9.7-inch multi-touch display, allowing people to type directly on to the screen, as well as manipulate pictures and move control the action in games with their fingers. |
Apple claim it has a battery life of 10 hours. | Apple claim it has a battery life of 10 hours. |
It also has the firm's iTunes software built in, allowing users to purchase songs and movies straight to the device. | |
It also allows users to download apps, in a similar way to the iPhone. People with both can synchronise their apps between the two devices. | It also allows users to download apps, in a similar way to the iPhone. People with both can synchronise their apps between the two devices. |
"We think it's going to be a whole other gold rush for developers," said Scott Forstall, who runs Apple's app division. | "We think it's going to be a whole other gold rush for developers," said Scott Forstall, who runs Apple's app division. |
Apple revealed that more than 3bn apps have been downloaded from its App store. | Apple revealed that more than 3bn apps have been downloaded from its App store. |
Some industry experts have questioned the need for another category of device, alongside laptops, smartphones and netbooks. | Some industry experts have questioned the need for another category of device, alongside laptops, smartphones and netbooks. |
But Mr Jobs dismissed netbooks as "just cheap laptops". | But Mr Jobs dismissed netbooks as "just cheap laptops". |
"Netbooks aren't better at anything - they're slow and have low quality displays," he told the audience. | "Netbooks aren't better at anything - they're slow and have low quality displays," he told the audience. |
"They're not a third category device, but we have something that we think is." | "They're not a third category device, but we have something that we think is." |
The launch puts to rest months of speculation and rumour in the blogosphere. | The launch puts to rest months of speculation and rumour in the blogosphere. |
Apple - famous for its secrecy - had remained silent in the run up to the launch, unwilling to release any details publicly. | Apple - famous for its secrecy - had remained silent in the run up to the launch, unwilling to release any details publicly. |
What do you think of the Apple iPad? Would you be tempted to buy it? What impact will it have on the computer world? | What do you think of the Apple iPad? Would you be tempted to buy it? What impact will it have on the computer world? |
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |