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Apple's 'iPad' tablet computer could blow away rivals
5 Jan 2010Apple boss Steve Jobs's next attempt to change the way the western world communicates will hit shop shelves in March in the form of a “tablet PC” — a small but powerful handheld computer.
Sources today confirmed the device — named “iSlate,” “iPad” or “iTab” in the technology press — would be unveiled this month. Many say the move will cause the same disruption in the computing world that the iTunes/iPod software and hardware caused in the music business and the iPhone in the mobile phone sector.
One of the most likely incumbents to be affected will be electronic books such as Amazon's Kindle eReader, which is widely expected to look clunky compared with Apple's latest offering.
Apple is expected to differentiate from products made by the likes of Acer and Hewlett-Packard by offering far better software. Rather than merely allowing readers to browse magazines electronically, it is likely to offer a more interactive experience such as links to call up videos, for example interviews with authors, extra photos and video content.
The tablet is aimed more generally at capitalising on demand from consumers for a device that can surf the web and play music and movies, attacking the growing market for mini laptops. Morgan Stanley analyst Kathryn Huberty predicts it will have a 10-inch touchscreen with built-in wi-fi for connecting to the web. Apple expects to ship 10 million tablets in its first year of release.
The latest timings on the device were revealed by an unnamed Apple executive to Bloomberg.
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When the super-hyped iPad arrived in Apple stores in April, Apple racked up three million sales in the first 80 days. Within a few weeks the iPad captured 16 percent of the e-reader market to take second place behind the established Amazon Kindle with 62 percent, according to ChangeWave Research. The iPad posted sales of $2 billion in its first quarter and is on pace to have 84 percent of the market this year.
- ipad Tablet, lake city,US, 02/12/2010 10:08
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16GB ipad. How will one back-up their purchasers when their 16GB of memory are used up so as to make room to buy more programs? Will one be able to rip their own CDs?
Thank you, Derek.
- Derek, Hertfordshire, 07/02/2010 14:40
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Do we really need another gadget ? i mean why get it if you already have a laptop and or internet enabled mobile phone?
I bet it struggles after the initial hype based sales
- Kevin`, london,uk, 27/01/2010 11:08
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The big question would be what formats would be allowed by Apple's iReader. If they only allow formats through their own setup then they would be writing off what people have spent on other iBooks... the trouble being that Apple want everything to be done through them, their only failing that I can see to date.
- Rogan, Irving, 20/01/2010 18:40
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iPad sounds like a sanitary towel...
- Adam, London, 05/01/2010 17:25
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I'd buy one..! 'iPad' works better as a name than the others by the way
- Paul, Bromley, 05/01/2010 16:49
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