5 things you need to know about the Apple iPad

If you put money on the rumoured new device from Apple (a) being a tablet, (b) being called the iPad and (c) looking like a massive iPhone, go and collect your winnings. If you didn’t, you can console yourself with Stuff.tv’s quick round-up. If you find a slow bookie, you might still get a stake on.

1. It looks like a big iPhone

The iPad’s 9.7-inch IPS screen dwarfs the iPhone and iPod Touch’s 3.5 inchers, but the single home button is there, and that icon layout style is instantly recognizable. It’s half an inch thick and weighs around 680g. Thanks to the extra screen real estate, you can customize wallpaper backgrounds, too. And battery life is 10 hours, or a month on standby. Put that in your pipe, iPhone.

2. There are apps for that

Obviously. But the iPad will have access to all the iPhone apps from the off – that’s 140,000 at the last count. These can be run at native (3.5-inch) size, or beefed up to full-screen at lower resolution. New apps to look forward to include the iBooks ereader, tons of games, a full-fat port of the Brushes iPhone app and the iWork suite (at a bargain $10 per app, or 30 bucks for the lot).

3. “It screams!”

Steve Jobs phrase, not ours. But we’d have to agree that it is fast. As we’ve come to expect from Apple, the iPad’s UI transitions are smooth and handsome and some of the game demos at the event showed some pretty decent rendering (though it won’t win over hyperclocking PC gaming nuts). A proprietary 1GHz Apple A4 chip is running the show. Just don’t say Power PC, alright?

4. Old UI, new tricks

As we’ve said, the UI is more than a little iPhone-esque, but Apple has used the iPad’s extra screen space to introduce some pretty cool tweaks. Most noticable are the drop-down contextual menus that make even lighter work of navigation. Even the on-screen keyboard looks usable, though for doubters there’ll be a docking keyboard. Brace yourself for a slew of new accessories.

5. You can afford it (maybe)

The 16GB WiFi model without 3G is only $499 in the States, with a $100 dollar premium for the 32GB version (64GB goes for an extra $100 on top of that). All iPad models add 3G for $130. We’ve only got Stateside figures for the iPad’s data deals so far (international network deals should be released in June), but they look good - $15 a month for 250MB or double that for unlimited downloads. The iPad ships in 60 days in the States. The 3G version will take an extra month. Here? Not 'til summer by the sound of it, but hopefully with similar data deals. Please...

Comments

MIkeTheBike2010

3 years ago

A product for a marketing gap that doesn't exist surely? It all looks very swish (and I am a long time Apple fan) but isn't this just half a laptop, I mean optional extras include a keyboard and stand? My ancient Powerbook G4 will do most of these functions and has a DVD drive built in!! Sorry but this looks like the 21st centuty version of that huge phone Dom Jolly walked round museums with shouting "I'm on the phone!" Still I am intrigued to learn what other Stuff readers think. Many thanks for the live coverage. Mike.

britrock2k07

3 years ago

Jobs said theres a gap between laptops and smartphones im not so sure that there is if im out and about its the smartphone (htc hero) and if im at home its a pc or laptop i cant see where i would use this? too big to put in your pocket, and too small for home use compared to a real computer or tv. i honestly cant see where this would be used or why you would fork out hundreds for it! That being said im sure that apple fan boys will ensure this sells in its millions lol.

Rev Aardvark

3 years ago

As I posted before - 3GS + MBP = no need. However: it does look amazing and in my 'world' money isn't a problem, but will I buy, absolutely not. This gadget offers nothing I don't do now (I stress 'I don't do') to those who have other needs I say 'your choice go for it'.

Drunken Max

3 years ago

I look at it and I think Toys'r'us. I hope it moves away from being an iphone UI ripoff as the hardware etc looks great

dave_clark_f1ve

3 years ago

I honestly think this will be the biggest hyped white elephant ever. I think everyone is seeing the obvious problem that for what it does at the price it's marked at it's not worth it. The iPhone is perfect for on the move productivity and apps, and when you want something bigger you can turn to a better featured laptop or computer; if you think about the base model and then add the data allowance, the 3g, the keyboard stand (no one is going to settle for the on screen keyboard for serious typing stints) and so on, you're not far shy of a good quality second hand MBP price tag, and the MBP has a LOT more functionality.

dave_clark_f1ve

3 years ago

P.S. This is fun for the lulz http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFNQE_TzQNI

Hugh Jarse

3 years ago

Looks an amazing piece of tech - and am really pleasantly surprised by the price. :) The hardware is beautiful, but it is the OS and UI that really shine. Like many Apple products it won't really be appreciated until people hold it in their hands and actually use it. People will bleat about what it is missing, but the iPhone is missing things, but when (most) people actually use one they concentrate on how well it does the things it does do. I suspect it will be the same with the iPad (no sniggering at the back with thoughts of feminine hygiene!)

Hugh Jarse

3 years ago

Quite a lot of people online seem to be saying there is no need for a product between a proper laptop and a smartphone - and yet netbooks have been selling well despite being mainly used for email and web surfing - which is just what the iPad will be good for. Also, the iPad is quality whereas most netbooks frankly aren't. Surely the iPad is a threat to netbooks and e-Readers, and isn't that enough to be going on with?

caroleceres

3 years ago

More than anything else, the iPad is going to give Kindle & Sony eBook readers a run for their money. Mainly because it seems that the iPad will be able to do everything the Kindle can (getting your eBooks on the move via wifi without having to doc to the pc is a killer sales pitch) and look stylish doing so. As much as I'm impressed by (and saving up for) the Amazon Kindle, it looks ugly and it's only available in white! I am not an Apple fan, I have none of their products, but this will be the gadget that changes that. It looks fantastic and if it has the extensive library that Amazon has (!!!!!) then everything else it has to offer is just gravy... So, I shall continue saving up to buy an eBook reader, Sony is now out of the running, if the iPad can successfully compete with the Kindle in what it can deliver the end user, then that's my next buy.