Long awaited iPad revealed

The iPad was revealed last night in an event at Apple Headquarters in San Francisco by Chief Executive of Apple, Steve Jobs.

Hailed as the “next big thing” in personal computing, the device which is half an inch thick and only weighs 1.5 lbs is described as the “third category” between smartphones and laptops. A deal with big publishers Macmillan, Penguin and Harper Collins has been sealed so as e-books can be downloaded to the device through new bookstore iBooks - not yet available in the UK.

The device currently retails from $499 in the US and has a 9.7 inch multi-touch screen. Apple promotes the device as having a 10 hour battery life and comes with 12 applications including iPhoto and iTunes. The New York Times also has an application for the new appliance. Mr Jobs said that Apple hoped to have international prices set by this summer, but all models with 3G are unlocked and will work anywhere.

Criticism of the device comes in the form of Adam Frucci, Gizmodo writer, who complains the device cannot have multiple applications open at the same time. Elsewhere, the lack of a USB port has also come under scrutiny. Mr Jobs argued against criticism that this product is merely a “cheap netbooks” stating that netbooks are “slow” and have “low quality displays”.

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