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.

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.

The iPad will come with the following applications: Safari, Mail, Photos, Video, YouTube, iPod, iTunes, App Store, Maps, Notes, Calendar, Contacts, and Spotlight. It will also include the iBooks application, which displays books and other ePub-format content downloaded from the iBookstore. Apple has ported its iWork suite from the Mac to the iPad; the Pages, Numbers and Keynote applications will be sold for $9.99 apiece in the App Store.