Apple Unveils New Tablet - Say Hello to the iPad!

The wait is over as Steve Jobs announces their long-await tablet device.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Catholic Online) - Apple fans have been speculating and Apple sites have been postulating for months about the new device they were sure Steve Jobs would unveil. On Wednesday, Jobs presented the world with the first iPad, which looks like a huge iPhone with a lot of capability.

The presentation has been met with mixed reviews. Some are excited while others have expressed huge disappointment in some part of the new product.

The announcement of the iPad brings a continuity in design and functionality that begins with the iPod and iPhone and continues to the line of MacBook and iMac computers.

The iPad is also designed to go head-to-head with the Kindle and Nook eReaders through its iBook function. Jobs directly referred to the Kindle in his presentation, saying, "Amazon has done a great job of pioneering this technology. We're gonna stand on their shoulders and go farther."

The iBooks will support the ePub format, a free and open format that allows readers to flip through pages and supports pictures, video, and other graphics.

"The iPad, if you were to sum it up, is our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price," Jobs said.

Here is an overview of features and specifications:
1. The basic iPad will have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capability
2. The higher models will include 3G service through ATT in varying amounts of memory.
3. The iPad features a 9.7 inch display, is a half-inch thick and weighs about a pound and a half.
4. The keyboard will come up on the display.
5. The device will allow web browsing, calendars, contacts, and other features common to the iPhone/iPod.
6. The iPad will run all 140,000+ iPhone/iPod apps currently available, either at a reduced size or enlarged through "pixel doubling." iPad apps will also begin showing up at the iTunes App Store.
7. A trio of Office applications based on the Mac iWorks software (Pages, Numbers, Keynote) will be included.
8. You will be able to read iBooks on the tablet that are obtained through the iTunes store. Apple already has agreements with several book publishers to provide content.
9. The iPad accessories include a standard dock to prop up the device up for viewing videos, slideshows, etc; a dock with a physical keyboard attached and a case.
10. The price for a basic unit is $499, a 32Gb version for $599 and a 64Gb unit for $699. Models with the 3G option will cost about $150 more plus the monthly fee to ATT.

At the beginning of the announcement, Jobs stood on a stage adorned only with a single leather chair and a large screen behind. He reviewed recent developments at Apple, announcing that they sold their 250 millionth iPod a few days ago, that 3 billion apps have been downloaded from iTunes, and the company just reported $15.6 billion in quarterly revenue.

"That means Apple is over a $50 billion company," he stated.

Perhaps to many, Steve Jobs' description of his company was just as newsworthy as the new device. "Apple is a mobile devices company," Jobs stated. He was acknowledging a unique niche carved out through focusing significantly on iPhones, iPods, and Mac laptops which provide most of its revenue.

"It turns out that by revenue Apple is the largest mobile device company in the world now."

Speculation has already begun on another device, sized half-way between the iPhone and iPad, that would provide phone service and capabilities similar to the tablet.

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Randy Sly is the Associate Editor of Catholic Online. He is a former Archbishop of the Charismatic Episcopal Church who laid aside that ministry to enter into the full communion of the Catholic Church in 2006.

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