Apple Intros the iPad
Posted by Jesse Ward on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 · 
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After months of speculation and media hype, Apple introduced the new iPad this afternoon. (See the video after the jump.) The new mobile device is a half-inch thin and weighs 1.5 pounds. It’s powered with a 1GHz Apple A4 chip and comes with 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.
The all-in-one media device plays movies, music, TV shows and acts as an e-reader. It comes in 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB capacities. It will retail for $499, $599, and $699 for the respective capacity models without 3G, and $626, $729, and $829 with 3G.
Wi-Fi only models are slated to hit the stores in 60 days, with 3G-capable model shipping in 90 days.
Models with 3G will be unlocked. AT&T will offer two data packages, both available without a contract: $14.99 for up to 250 MB per month and $29.99 per month for unlimited data. AT&T will also throw in free access to its Wi-Fi hot spots.
Also of note, the iPad can already run almost 140,000 apps available in the App Store. I’m sure Apple’s loyal app developer community is chomping at the bit to develop additional capabilities for this new device.
Apple, of course, had a major impact on the wireless market. The iPhone clearly redefined the mobile experience, elevated consumer expectations and, in the process, created massive traffic management issues on AT&T’s cellular network.
Regardless if the iPad is an overnight success or a flash in the pan, it’s clear that consumers will continue to adopt new wireless devices, utilizing mobile networks for bandwidth-hogging video and multimedia applications.
What are your thoughts? Is the iPad revolutionary? Does it fill a void between the on-the-go mobile user experience satisfied by the iPhone, and the desktop computing needs satisfied by an iMac or laptop? Please leave a comment below.
For more, Apple’s website has the skinny. Steve Jobs also intros the iPad below.
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