Apple iPad Launched

Today in San Francisco Apple launched it's brand new product, the iPad. This device is meant to bridge the gap between the iPhone and the MacBook. It has a 9.7 inch capacitive touch screen and will run off of the iPhone OS allowing users to access any application in the App Store. Apple has also launched the SDK that adds support for the iPad. More information can be found by following http://live.gizmodo.com

Some tech specs:

• 9.7" capacitive touch screen
• 10 hr battery life (video)
• 1GHz Apple processor
• 16 - 64GB flash memory

UPDATE:

So far more details have emerged. Apple had released it onto their website and given us pricing information.

	16GB	32GB	64GB
WiFi	$499	$599	$699
WiFi + 3G	$629	$729	$829

My initial thought on this is a bit appalled at the fact that Apple would release a product into a market that simply does not exist, at least not how they are presenting it. I would have preferred to see more features like those found on items like the HP Mini 311 with the nVidia ION graphics, full Operating System (unlike the iPad's iPhone OS), ability to multitask. While the HP Mini 311 does not have multitouch capabilities, it does in fact have everything else users are looking for when they are looking for a small netbook/tablet size devices.
This includes:

• Multitasking
• Flash video streaming
• Webcam
• Easy to use keyboard, etc.

The other thing that I find very interesting, at least in my mind, is that this is basically an iPod Touch on steroids. I mean really, look at the storage size on the device, the capabilities. It is very reminiscent of the iPod Touch, with the option for 3G data download. That's the other thing, for $120 you get the 3G antenna, however it also will cost you $30/month to utilize this system. Okay so you got the iPad w/3G for an ebook reader/video player. Congratulations, you've just purchased an overpriced Kindle (and still have to pay for the data service to transfer the book) that can play video, but wait, my favorite phone on the market, Motorola Droid, plays video in a better format (ie 16:9 aspect ratio) while the iPad plays in 4:3. So much for those widescreen videos.