http://www.pcworld.com/article/187949/apple_ipad_unveiled_hits_and_misses.html

http://www.apple.com/

When Apple dropped the Newton line of palm-computing devices in the late '90s, many people were severely disappointed. The project was abandoned by Apple, but die-hard Newton fans hunkered down and kept the systems going for years afterward. To give credit to Apple, the Newton MessagePad was designed well enough so that even today it is still considered a viable option by some people. Through Apple's ups and downs, there has been speculation on whether or not Apple would revive the Newton, and while recently it has been clear Apple's Newton days are over, the hope for the company to return to palm and tablet computing devices had not faded.
Though the iPhone can be considered Apple's next-generation MessagePad, after much speculation Apple's long-rumored entrance into tablet computing has finally arrived. In the past few weeks the hype has ramped up all over the Web, with fake images, speculation based on domain name registrations, "leaked" advertisements, patent investigations, and comments from various tech and media CEOs, all of which have built quite a stir around the latest "creation" from Apple. Today Apple has put the rumors to rest with the announcement of the iPad; however, what is the purpose of this device and will it succeed?
Apple's Tablet, in a nutshell

At first glance, the device does not look like much, and, as rumored, it basically resembles a large iPhone, complete with a home button and glass touch screen. True to the style that has come to define Apple products, the device looks simple and well-built, with a rigid glass display and a inch or so of bezel area around the display. The display is a full capacitive multitouch panel, as was expected, but is also an LED-backlit IPS (In-Plane Switching) display that has a great viewing angle. The back is aluminum, and there are various connectors on the sides for power, sleep, and volume controls.
On the inside, Apple has given us a surprise. The device uses an Apple-designed chip it is calling the "A4," which runs at 1GHz and is used for managing everything: processing, graphics, and I/O. The system has between 16 and 64GB of memory, contains Bluetooth and EDR wireless connectivity, has a speaker, and microphone, and also contains Apple's accelerometers, ambient light sensors, and digital compass with assisted GPS technologies. There is a 30-pin connector for attaching the device to computers, but it also uses Bluetooth and Enhanced Data Rate technologies for fast wireless access up to 3Mbps. The device has a powerful battery that gives up to 10 hours of usage, and nearly a month of standby time.

Apple has not omitted the option for 3G connectivity. The system contains 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-fi options, but also can directly tap into UMTS/HSDPA and GSM/EDGE 3G wireless networks, and come unlocked and without any contract so if your wireless carrier uses a GSM micro SIM, it should "just work." Despite this, the capability to make phone calls does not appear to be available, but then again it is not a phone. The one missing feature in the iPad is an internal camera, but there may be ways to add one as an accessory, though Apple has not mentioned any support for this. In terms of software capability, similar to the iPhone, the device seems to be limited when it comes to multitasking.

As for the price, despite rumors of Apple targeting around $1,000, it has been able to provide all of this in the range of $499 to $699, and we should start seeing them hitting store shelves in about two months.

#1 Bitch: NO FLASH

Are they out of their minds ?!?!?!?!?!

sounds like an Apple tampon

This looks stupid. Like I need an oversized iPhone sans phone calls.

the only real draw i see is that you can use it like a kindle.

I use books like kindles.

There's no multi-tasking either which I think is a bigger deal breaker.

The only people who will buy this are the die-hard 'i have to have it because it's apple and steve jobs told me i need it omgbbq' set.

It does nothing new, or special.

A $300 netbook does more, and has expandable memory and a keyboard.
My $200 blackberry does all the same useful stuff, and makes calls.
A kindle isn't backlit so it doesn't rape your irises when trying to catch up on the latest King novel.

And all of those are seriously smaller and easier to tote around.

Me want!

but apple makes life so much easier

8 Things That Suck About the iPad

A lot of people at Gizmodo are psyched about the iPad. Not me! My god, am I underwhelmed by it. It has some absolutely backbreaking failures that will make buying one the last thing I would want to do. Updated

Big, Ugly Bezel
Have you seen the bezel on this thing?! It's huge! I know you don't want to accidentally input a command when your thumb is holding it, but come on.

No Multitasking
This is a backbreaker. If this is supposed to be a replacement for netbooks, how can it possibly not have multitasking? Are you saying I can't listen to Pandora while writing a document? I can't have my Twitter app open at the same time as my browser? I can't have AIM open at the same time as my email? Are you kidding me? This alone guarantees that I will not buy this product.

No Cameras
No front facing camera is one thing. But no back facing camera either? Why the hell not? I can't imagine what the downside was for including at least one camera. Could this thing not handle video iChat?

Touch Keyboard
So much for Apple revolutionizing tablet inputs; this is the same big, ugly touchscreen keyboard we've seen on other tablets, and unless you're lying on the couch with your knees propping it up, it'll be awkward to use.

No HDMI Out
Want to watch those nice HD videos you downloaded from iTunes on your TV? Too damned bad! If you were truly loyal, you'd just buy an AppleTV already.

The Name iPad
Get ready for Maxi pad jokes, and lots of 'em!

No Flash
No Flash is annoying but not a dealbreaker on the iPhone and iPod Touch. On something that's supposed to be closer to a netbook or laptop? It will leave huge, gaping holes in websites. I hope you don't care about streaming video! God knows not many casual internet users do. Oh wait, nevermind, they all do.

Adapters, Adapters, Adapters
So much for those smooth lines. If you want to plug anything into this, such as a digital camera, you need all sorts of ugly adapters. You need an adapter for USB for god's sake.

Update: Why stop at 8? Here are more things we are discovering that suck about the iPad.

It's Not Widescreen
Widescreen movies look lousy on this thing thanks to its 4:3 screen, according to Blam, who checked out some of Star Trek on one. It's like owning a 4:3 TV all over again!

Doesn't Support T-Mobile 3G
Sure, it's "unlocked." But it won't work on T-Mobile, and it uses microSIMs that literally no one else uses.

A Closed App Ecosystem
The iPad only runs apps from the App Store. The same App Store that is notorious for banning apps for no real reason, such as Google Voice. Sure, netbooks might not have touchscreens, but you can install whatever software you'd like on them. Want to run a different browser on your iPad? Too bad!

http://i.gizmodo.com/5458382/8-things-that-suck-about-the-ipad

Hubris is often the fatal flaw of greek tragedies

This thing should have been called the iFail. Welcome to your Vista, Apple.

The iPon...for Heavy (Information) Flow

When I see that word in print "iPad" for some reason I keep thinking to myself "Phad Thai."

Is that weird?

I think people are trying too hard not to like this thing.

perhaps.
But it seems like a really pointless device. Even if executed flawlessly, it would be pointless

http://blogs.barrons.com/techtraderdail ... -displays/

Way 2 go LG!

*hears apple stock plummeting very soon.

Also, the lack of camera seems like a very obvious oversight.


Remember, we live in a society were when the Ford Edge came out the entire automotive media was deriding how unneeded a third row of seats were in SUVs since most people rarely use them....

and then it was marked down because it didnt have them.