On January 27th, Apple announced a new product that they think will revolutionize the computer industry - the iPad.
What is the iPad? It is a tablet or slate computer that is suppose fill what Apple believes is the gap between smart phones like their own iPhone and laptop computers like their MacBook and MacBook Pros.
What is it really? It is basically an iPod Touch (same as the iPhone without the phone part) with a 9.7" screen and up to 10 hours of battery life. It runs on a special version of the iPhone/Touch OS version 3.2 and runs all the same applications as the iPhone and iPod Touch from the iTunes Store. It comes in 3 or 6 models depending on how you look at it - 16GB, 32GB and 64GB versions with WiFi and each model will also be available in Canada eventually with 3G cards (wireless data that will run on Rogers, Bell or Telus, but not phone).
It does NOT have a camera but there will likely be an add-on at some point in the future. A wireless keyboard amongst other accessories will also be available at launch which is expected to be the end of March for the non 3G versions. Pricing is to start at $499 USD for the 16GB version without 3G.
IF, and that is a big IF, you think you need a tablet and want to do actual work on it, think of getting a convertible tablet from HP, Dell or Lenovo or wait for HP and Dell's slate (tablet pc's without a keyboard) to be out shortly - they will run Windows or Linux and all of the normal applications you use day to day.
