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After considerable speculation, the new Apple device was finally revealed as being named the iPad on Wednesday January 27 2010 by Steve Jobs at the Latest Creation event. The Apple tablet had previously been rumoured to be called the iSlate, though Magic Slate was also speculated. Rumours about the possible iPad name only surfaced a week or so before the official announcement.
The Apple tablet release date is estimated to be April 2010. If you are a fan of the iPhone or iTouch, then this product is likely to appeal. Described as a giant iTouch, the iPad ascetically is just that. Bigger but equally slimline, the 9.7 inch touch screen on this device provides plenty of room for any activity, and there's plenty to do!
Browsing the net is possible in both landscape and portrait mode and there is no need to zoom in like you do with the iPhone to read content.
Email is presented in two ways depending on whether the iPad is held landscape or portrait. Landscape provides the inbox to be displayed, portrait shows just the email itself. A large QWERTY keyboard appears on the touch screen when text needs to be entered.
Photo galleries are presented so that it is easy to find a specific image when you don't know which folder you saved it in. Simply use the touch screen to see the contents with a simple swish of the fingers. The folder will not open, but it will show you the contents in an easy to view manner.
Music is available with access to iTunes built in. YouTube and YouTube HD video streaming will also be available.
iPhone apps work on the iPad without the need for any modification. That means that any application in the store can be run and used in the same way, but with the added benefit of being on a considerably bigger 9.7 inch screen. This is deal for the large selection of game applications available. Applications specifically for the iPad are currently in development and a second gold rush frenzy looks set to take hold of developers wanting to emulate the success of the original iPhone application makers.
