Apple’s iPad is Official
I’m not sure I really like the name, but I really like the device. There weren’t many surprises, since the rumored “iTablet” has gotten lots of speculation over the past few months but I am stoked that it’s finally official. It’s basically a full-blown version of the iPhone that does everything a laptop or netbook would do but in a very stylish and intuitive way.
Alongside all of the typical media features like Photos, HD Video, and Music, it also has a digital “bookshelf” allowing you to store and read books…and *ahem* textbooks. The addition of iBooks is significant, because no other electronic device has the ability to display full color, multimedia pages in a seamless format like the iPad. Remember that video clip that your professor showed in your last lecture? Imagine if it was embedded in your textbook page like a YouTube video. The possibilities are endless, and I think the iPad is on the right track to revolutionizing this industry. As the production and distribution costs of electronic textbooks approaches “zero,” it should drastically bring textbook prices down while maintaining the same profit margins for the textbook companies. (fingers crossed)
Another great feature of the iPad that no one really expected is the addition of a whole new productivity suite called iWork. This is going to allow people to use their iPad for work as well as entertainment. This means you’ll be able to create papers, spreadsheets, presentations right on there. Another nifty part of iWork is the paint program, which allows you to finger paint, sketch, and draw right on the screen using the best multi-touch technology in the industry (am i turning into a fanboy?).
In summary, if you like your iPhone you will probably love the iPad. It takes the iPhone OS platform as far as it could possibly go (other than video calling) and I’m really excited to get my hands on one in a few months. If anyone wants to watch the full keynote, check out the link below.
Resources:
Hardware specs and High Res pics: http://mac.appstorm.net/general/app-news/an-in-depth-look-at-the-apple-ipad/
Mashable’s Summary: http://mashable.com/apple-tablet/
The full Apple keynote in HD: http://events.apple.com.edgesuite.net/1001q3f8hhr/event/index.html
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