| Apple has finally done it. Apple has released its new | | | | Apple's e-book reading software has an interface |
| tablet device, that is. The Mac public was expecting, | | | | that looks like a bookshelf. Flip the bookshelf over |
| indeed clamoring -- for Apple to release such a device | | | | with your finger, and you're brought to the online |
| -- and soon! For Apple to have failed to do so would | | | | store where you can purchase new books. |
| have been a major letdown (to its customers as well | | | | The iPad's built-in Safari browser works just like the |
| as its stockholders). The momentum was just | | | | one on your Mac. And, like the version on your |
| impossible to resist. | | | | iPhone, you can scroll through pages by flicking your |
| After all, the iPhone is essentially a miniature tablet | | | | finger across them, or pinch or double tap to zoom in |
| computer. Apple has shown that it can "do" such a | | | | on a photo. |
| device like no one else. So, despite Steve Jobs past | | | | The Mail application offers a landscape view with a |
| protestations, releasing a new tablet was a | | | | split screen showing both the current e-mail and the |
| no-brainer. All Apple had to do is scale up its brilliant | | | | unread messages in your inbox. Want to view the |
| interface to a larger device. | | | | current e-mail message by itself? Simply turn the iPad |
| Did I say "all Apple had to do?" The technical | | | | to portrait mode and the message zooms to fill the |
| challenges in producing this new device, called the | | | | screen. The iPad will work with popular e-mail |
| iPad, were enormous. Apple had to essentially design | | | | providers such as mobile me, Yahoo Mail, Gmail, |
| a whole new operating system that is not quite the | | | | Hotmail and AOL. To compose a message, you just |
| Mac and not quite the iPhone, rewrite its core | | | | tap and start typing. |
| applications from scratch, and basically rethink the | | | | This brings us to the onscreen keyboard. Many |
| entire way a computer operates. | | | | pundits wondered how text entry would work on |
| Apple was not the first to release a new tablet | | | | Apple's new tablet device. You can use an external |
| computer, just as it was not the first to release an | | | | keyboard for typing long documents if you wish. |
| MP3 player or cell phone, but it may well be the | | | | However, I think Apple made the right decision in not |
| company that succeeds in making the tablet | | | | attempting to build a physical keyboard into the |
| computer truly "catch fire" with the public. | | | | tablet. The goal of the iPad is to bring your data and |
| Apple has a tremendous head start with 140,000+ | | | | web surfing up close for an intimate feel. A keypad |
| apps for the iPhone, and it wisely designed the iPad | | | | would simply get between you and the screen. |
| to take advantage of them. The iPad can run iPhone | | | | The on-screen keyboard is much larger, of course, |
| apps at their original size, or in "pixel doubled mode" | | | | than what is possible on the iPhone. In landscape |
| twice the size as on the iPhone, so that they nearly | | | | mode, the keyboard is almost as large as that on a |
| fill the iPad screen. Developers can easily rewrite their | | | | standard laptop. With just a few tweaks to the word |
| iPhone apps specifically for the iPad in such a way as | | | | recognition and auto-correction features of the |
| to take advantage of its new features. | | | | iPhone software, typing on this virtual keyboard, I |
| How will the iPad affect Internet marketers? Of | | | | suspect, could be almost as fast as using a real one. |
| course, the "i" in its name stands for Internet (and it's | | | | Plus, I believe that voice dictation apps could come |
| also a clever play on the name of the "iPod"). Surfing | | | | quickly to the iPad, just as they have to the iPhone. |
| the web will be a joy, and a larger screen will give | | | | And, of course, the iPad includes all of the same |
| users much more room to work with. Apple's | | | | features as the iPhone, only in a larger form--video, |
| developers brag that it's like "holding the entire | | | | YouTube, the iPod and iTunes, interactive satellite |
| Internet in your hand," or like reading a physical book | | | | maps, the notepad, a calendar completely redesigned |
| or magazine. | | | | from the ground up for the iPad, Contacts and |
| Creation of new apps for the iPad by developers | | | | Spotlight search. |
| could rival the gold rush that sprang up around the | | | | The iPad will be shipped in three different internal |
| iPhone. Apple offers the SDK 3.2 beta for developers | | | | storage configurations and with the option of Wi-Fi or |
| with the tools they need to start creating applications | | | | Wi-Fi + 3G, for a total of six different models. The |
| for the iPad, and an iPad simulator that lets them | | | | base model, the 16 GB Wi-Fi only, will start at a |
| build and run applications on the Mac, lay out the user | | | | reasonable $499, while the top of the line 64 GB |
| interface, test memory usage and debug. | | | | Wi-Fi + 3G model will tip the scales at a still |
| Web graphic designers and artists will enjoy the | | | | affordable $829. Apple has said that, while most new |
| included Brushes application on the iPad's larger | | | | technologies are introduced at a higher price point |
| screen, although some may feel that it is something | | | | and slowly work their way down, Apple wanted to |
| like fingerpainting -- a stylus that works with the iPad | | | | do things differently. |
| will not be supported, at least not initially. | | | | When will the iPad be available? Apple expects the |
| Apple has completely rewritten its productivity | | | | Wi-Fi models to ship in late March and the 3G models |
| software iWork for the iPad. Keynote contains | | | | to ship in April. |
| custom graph styles, custom-designed themes, | | | | The thinness, just 0.5 inches, the light weight, just 1.5 |
| animations and effects, and brand-new features | | | | pounds, and the flexibility of this new device are sure |
| designed just for the iPad. Pages includes | | | | to make the iPad popular with Internet marketers |
| Apple-designed templates and formatting tools. | | | | and anyone on the go. With its high resolution LED |
| Numbers offers over 250 formulas, flexible tables and | | | | backlight, it's larger display, it's responsive multi-touch |
| sophisticated charts. | | | | screen and its powerful Apple-designed processor, |
| Want to catch up on your marketing reading? Apple | | | | the new iPad will be thin and light enough to take |
| has worked hard to make reading e-books, | | | | anywhere. And I suspect that many people will |
| magazines and newspapers pleasurable on the iPad. | | | | choose to do exactly that. |