The Apple iPad

ipad Overview

Image of Apple iPad Ah, the ipad – its name synonymous with many a wordplay joke since its unveiling at the Apple Convention in January – the ipad tablet introduces what Apple hopes will be a new genre of computer device. Still, one of the most often heard criticisms of the ipad is that it is no more than a glorified iPod Touch.

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Between the portability and function of the iPod Touch and the popular Apple line of laptops, we consumers are left to wonder if there is room or need in the Apple family of high tech devices to warrant the creation – let alone purchase – of the ipad. If you find yourself in this boat of uncertainty, here are some points to consider.

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ipad Features

Measuring just under the standard magazine size at 9.7 inches, the ipad is larger than most e-readers and supports full displays of photos and web pages.
Weighing one and a half pounds, the ipad is portable and its half-inch depth makes it comfortable to carry and hold.
Unlike the E Ink technology that pervades the e-reader industry, the ipad uses an LCD screen and LED backlighting. The advantage: color display. The disadvantage: produces a glare and is less comfortable for long periods of reading, assuming consumers are unaccustomed to long periods of LCD/LED exposure.
IPS – In Plane Switching – display for wide, 178 degree viewing.
Apple’s re-engineered multi-touch screen technology allows users to zoon, flick and navigate with amazingly intuitive accuracy
10 hour lithium-polymer Mac notebook battery
Supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 3G connectivity
Comes installed with 16G, 32G, or 64G of flash storage
Access to Apple’s extensive App Store including the iBooks app to purchase books directly to your ipad from the iBookstore

ipad Shortfalls

One of the biggest drawbacks of the ipad is that it doesn’t support multi-tasking. With only one application in use at a time, the ipad is technologically limited – though the assumption is what is lost in versatility is made up for in portability. Other potential shortcomings of the ipad include:

No flash support, which might take some of the fun out of web browsing
LED backlit IPS screen is less viewer-friendly and less energy efficient
No standard USB port – although USB connectivity is available at an extra charge
No camera

What is the ipad Anyway?

If the ipad were an e-reader, it might not measure up to E Ink fuelled models like Sony’s and Amazon’s, but as a multi-function device, the color display forges the ipad ahead of the competition. The ipad is intended for light reading more gearing towards periodicals and newspapers, web browsing, light work, music and video downloading and viewing. Starting at $499 US for a 16G model, the ipad is no doubt another fantastic, shiny toy from Apple, but for now it seems to do a bit of everything, without doing any one thing spectacularly.