Slashdot Mirror


Apple's "iPad" Out In the Open

Reader oxide7 is one of the many to note that the heaviest speculation is mostly over (still waiting on the price, though) about Apple's anticipated new device (though there are surely plenty of questions about the device's hardware capabilities and the scope of its software and content marketplace): "At an event in San Francisco Apple released its anticipated iPad.'[It's] Way better than a laptop, way better then a phone. You can turn it any way you want. To see the whole page is phenomenal,' said Jobs." The (0.5") skinny: 1.5 lbs, multitouch, up to 64GB of flash, 9.7" screen, and a 1Ghz "Apple A4" chip (more about the A4 in Engadget's developing story). The iPad is closer in concept to an expanded iPhone (OS and all) than a miniaturized laptop, though it doesn't have quite as much connectivity as you might expect, with no 3G connection built in. (You'll have to make do with 802.11n, Bluetooth, and tethering.) Live coverage is ongoing at gdgt live, Engadget, and Gizmodo, as well as various others. Update by timothy, 19:58 GMT: Got the 3G part wrong; 3G is indeed an option. Prices run from $499 (16GB flash, WiFi but no 3G) to $829 (WiFi and 3G, 64GB flash). Should start shipping in 60 days (WiFi only), in 90 days for 3G. Surprsingly, no built-in camera.

5 of 1,713 comments (clear)

  1. apple doubles prices again by farble1670 · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    an apple laptop is about 2x the price* of a PC laptop for about the same hardware. and continuing with that trend, they have now released a netbook that is about 2x the price of a PC netbook.

    * a strict price comparison is not possible. apple tends to have better form factors. in laptops (at 2x the price), they have a slightly better processor, and usually a smaller hard drive. the iPad (at 2x the price) obviously has a better form factor and a touch screen, but a netbook has a more powerful processor and bigger disk.

  2. Re:iPad? Really? by Arthur+Grumbine · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    OMGWTFBBQ - just like the woman's hygiene product, LOLZ!!11! I didn't even think of that!! Brilliant!!! Well-played!! What a CRAZY coincidence!1!l1!

    --
    Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure everything I just said is completely wrong.
  3. Re:Phenomenal by amicusNYCL · · Score: 1, Flamebait

    considdering no other mobile device can do that, honestly he's right, this is the first mobile device other than an full scale notebook platform that can display an entire web site on a screen

    I guess, if you only live your life in small mobile devices (which apparently Steve Jobs does), then you would probably consider seeing more than 400 pixels at once "phenomenal". I've got a pair of 28" monitors with one portrait and one landscape, so for me seeing a whole page is "how it works", not "phenomenal".

    I'm curious how many people will watch his presentation and then try to explain to their friends how seeing an entire page of text at once is phenomenal, while actually believing that this is something new.

    on the exclamation of turning it, yea, i agree. Not exactly revolutionary.

    Very punny.

    --
    "Our two-party system is like a bowl of shit looking at itself in a mirror." - Lewis Black
  4. Re:No flash support by elrous0 · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Either that or they've build a turd with no reason to exist (too big and expensive to be an iPhone/iTouch, too weak to be an actual netbook).

    --
    SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
  5. Re:gay by sopssa · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    The iPhone is only success in US (says something about the population?). Elsewhere, without contracts, Nokia and HTC are dominating and Apple can barely sell any. And they've got into big legal battles.