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The iPad
After months (nay, years) of speculation, Apple has released their tablet: The iPad. The device has a 9.7” IPS screen, is 0.5” inches thin, and weighs 1.5 pounds. Some other hardware highlights include a whopping 10 hour battery life and Apple’s own 1GHz “Apple A4” ARM chip, likely made from its acquisition of P.A. Semi-technology.

On the software side, the iPad features all new user interface for default apps like Calendar, Address Book, Mail, Maps, etc. Safari still does not have Flash, sorry Adobe. It can also run every current iPhone app, either windowed with a black frame, or at 2x scale (fullscreen). Select developers were given pre-access to the new SDK two weeks ago and demoed their new iPad apps—including New York Times (which syncs reading and offers inline video), Brushes, and EA’s Need for Speed. Developers can also now take advantage of the new resolution, and likely new features, with the new SDK out today.

Most impressively, the iPad will also support a new, modified version of iWork. This means documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, all on-the-go. Each app features an all new UI and will be sold for $9.99 on the App Store.

The iPad will offer WiFi 802.11n—a huge advantage over the iPhone’s current limitation of 802.11g. Certain models also have 3G capabilities and Apple is announce a $29.99 unlimited data plan that will be offered through AT&T (contrary to many rumors saying Verizon would be the new carrier). This data plan is pre-paid, so there’s no contract.

The iPad costs $499–$699 for 16–64GB of space for a WiFi-only model, and $629–$829 for a 3G-enabled model. The WiFi only devices will start shipping in 60 days, and the 3G-enabled ones will ship 30 days after that. There are already a variety of accessories created, including a dock that has a keyboard and a case which doubles as a stand.

All in all, it looks like it’s going to be an amazing device. While you can’t quite purchase it yet, you can sign up to be notified. If you enjoyed this coverage of the iPad and want to discuss, or just poke fun of its name, further, let’s chat on Twitter.