Phil Schiller announced in the big iPad unveiling event that Apple is offering a completly new version of iWorks specifically designed for iPad. Each application in iWork has an impressive UI designed to make it easy to work with documents, slid shows, spreadsheets etc. Each application integrated the Media inspector for quick access to your music, videos and photos.

Pages

Like its desktop counterpart, you can create publications with standard text and images. However, you can also use gestures (pinch for example) to move images around the publications and more. What’s interesting about this feature  is that it could make placement possibly easier than using a mouse with the desktop version, as long as the proximity “drop” is accurate.

Slide Shows with Keynote

From what we could see during Apple’s presentation, you can rearrange slides by pressing on each and then move them accordingly. In addition, there is a unique slide management feature in that you can tap multiple slides, and with a gesture, it moves the slides into a bundle. This should definitely be a timesaver for many folks. Lastly, we learned that the iPad also has an optional cable for connecting with a projector, making it easy to use the device as your primary presentation tool.

Numbers

From what was demonstrated at the Apple Event, the iPad version of Numbers automatically displays fields and sums (which then infers what the output will be). Otherwise, this version seems relatively comparable to its desktop partner.

Source:  http://theappleblog.com/2010/01/27/iwork-for-the-ipad-productivity-on-the-go/

Can we run multiple apps on iPad? In such a magical device as iPad we expect to do a little bit of multitasking – opening more than one app at a time. But we are not sure if that is possible or not. We didn’t hear anything about it during th event.

Didn’t hear about App development for iPad: iWork for sure adds an impressive dimension for Apple iPad, we have not actually heard an explicit statement whether we can develop iPhone and iPad apps on Apple iPad.  May be we can – may be. The only mention of app development was how the iPad will have apps developed specifically for it.

Does Apple iPad support Adobe Flash? We haven’t heard any word on the Flash support. We were informed that the iPad runs on a variation of iPhone OS, and whose default browser Safari does not support Adobe Flash. Hence the impression that iPad may not have Flash support. Or does it? We just have have to see.

Verizon or no Verizon? One of the biggest speculation for so time now is that iPhone and iPad would be coming to Verizon’s network. But the event only announced data plans available from AT&T and no word about Verizon. I would like to see how iPad 3G works on Verizon network.

What is the default Search Engine? There was speculation that Microsoft Bing would become the default search engine on iPad. Not only did we not see a hint of this at Apple’s event unveiling the iPad, but we saw the iPad running Google Maps and Google Street View. So is it Google or Bing? No info as of now…

iPad WiFi Only Prices in USA

• iPad 16 GB Model with WiFi Only: $499
• iPad 32 GB Model with WiFi Only: $599
• iPad 64 GB Model with WiFi Only: $699
  

iPad WiFi + 3G Prices in USA

• iPad 16 GB Model with WiFi and 3G : $629
• iPad 32 GB Model with WiFi and 3G : $729
• iPad 64 GB Model with WiFi and 3G : $829

In contrast, Walt Mossberg wrote, “It’s about the software, stupid”, meaning hardware features and build are less important to the iPad’s success than software and user interface, his first impressions of which were largely positive. Mossberg also called the price “modest” for a device of its capabilities, and praised the claimed 10-hour battery life.

Tech reporter Leo Laporte offered a mixed initial review, praising the iPad’s speed but panning the lack of a camera, video output, USB or FireWire ports, and multitasking, specifically the inability to run a chat application along with other applications. He also mentioned the device’s “locked down”, closed nature, noting that some at the announcement protested Apple’s “full control” of the software. He concluded that the iPad should be viewed as an “appliance” for media consumers, not really a computer in the traditional sense.

Yair Reiner said the iPad will compete against e-book devices such as the Barnes & Noble nook and the Amazon Kindle while offering 70% of revenue to publishers, the same arrangement afforded developers on the Apple App Store. (A week before the iPad’s expected release, the Amazon Kindle store increased publishers’ revenue share to 70% as well.

Others, including PC Advisor and the Sydney Morning Herald, have said the iPad would also compete with proliferating netbooks, most of which use Microsoft Windows. CNET lists ways the iPad compares unfavorably to a netbook, including no camera for video chat, no Flash, and the difficulty of typing on your lap. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer noted that the iPad will only support installing software from the App Store.

Several days after the unveiling, Stephen Fry said people must actually use the iPad to truly appreciate its purpose and quality and commented that common of the criticisms of the device fall away after use. Fry noted the iPad’s speed, responsiveness, smooth glide, richness and detail of the display, heft in his hand, and rightness of the user actions and gestures.

• Display:
  • 9.7″ widescreen LED-backlit glossy multi-touch capacitive display (with IPS technology)
  • 1024-by-768-pixel resolution @ 132 pixels-per-inch (ppi)
  • Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
• Processor: Apple A4 1 GHz (by PA Semiconductor)
• Memory: DDR2 RAM
• Video: Apple A4 1 Ghz (see above)
• Storage: 16 GB to 64 GB flash drive
• Wireless data:
  • Integrated Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n
  • Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
  • 3G version: UMTS/HSDPA (through AT&T, no contract required)
  • 3G version: GSM/EDGE (through AT&T, no contract required)
• Extra devices:
  • Digital compass
  • A-GPS (assisted GPS)
  • Microphone
  • Speaker
• Sensors:
  • Accelerometer
  • Proximity sensor
  • Ambient light sensor
• Inputs:
  • Dock connector (typical Apple port)
  • 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack
  • SIM card
  • No USB port (!!!)
• Battery: Built-in 25 Whr rechargeable lithium-polymer battery (by DynaPak)
• Usage time:
  • Internet: up to 5 hours on 3G
  • Internet: up to 10 hours on Wi-Fi
  • Video playback: up to 10 hours
• Colors:
  • black with silver or
• Software:
  • iPhone OS (for iPad)
  • All iPhone applications are supported on the iPad
  • In addition, iPad has its own App Store
• Price level: $499  USD, 399 EUR
• Release date: April 2010, the 3G version will take slightly longer to become available

Apple Newton MP100 Tablet Computer

Apple’s development of a tablet computer began with the Newton MessagePad 100, which was introduced in 1993. The effort led to the creation of the ARM6 processor core with Acorn Computers. Apple also developed a prototype PowerBook Duo-based tablet computer named the PenLite, then canceled the project as it was too similar to the Newton line. Apple brought out several more Newton-based PDAs, and discontinued the last of the line, the MessagePad 2100, in 1998.

Apple renewed efforts to develop a tablet as early as 2000. Apple CEO Steve Jobs canceled the project twice, once due to insufficient battery life, and again due to inadequate memory. After returning from medical leave, Jobs devoted most of his attention at Apple to completing the device, striking deals with print media companies before the product’s announcement.

The product was announced on January 27, 2010, at an Apple press conference at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. The device’s imminent release had been rumored for several months with iSlate and iTablet among speculated names.

Like the iPhone, the iPad shares its name with several existing products. The most serious risk of a trademark dispute comes from the Fujitsu iPAD, introduced by Japanese company Fujitsu in 2002. This is a mobile multi-functional device sold to retailers to help clerks verify prices, check inventory, and close sales. Fujitsu is consulting attorneys over what, if any, action to take against Apple.

Apple iPod Tablet Computer

The iPad is a tablet computer developed by Apple Inc.  Steve Jobs announced the launch of iPad on January 27, 2010, at an Apple press conference at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. Apple iPad tablet PC comes in two models – WiFi only and WiFi + 3G models.  WiFi-only model of Apple iPad are is scheduled to be released in March 2010. The WiFi + 3G Models are scheduled to be released by April 2010. The iPad tablet will feature multi-touch interaction with print, video, photo, and audio multimedia, internet browsing, and will run apps designed specifically for the iPad as well as most iPhone OS apps. The device will have an LED-backlit 9.7-inch (25 cm) color IPS LCD display and use a virtual keyboard for text input.

The iPad will run Apple and third-party software purchased through Apple’s App Store just like the iPhone. The iPhone and iPad share a development environment: iPhone SDK (Software Development Kit), version 3.2 beta onwards. Third-party developers can create apps specifically for the iPad’s features. The iPad will also run most third-party iPhone applications unmodified, either enlarged to fit the display or in an iPhone-sized area on the screen.