The
iPad runs the same operating system as the iPod Touch and iPhone—and can run its own applications as well as iPhone applications. The
iPad uses a Wi-Fi data connection to browse the Internet, load and stream media, and install software. Apple released the first
iPad in April 2010, and sold 3 million of the devices in 80 days.
Smaller than the
iPad but featuring a camera and mobile phone, it pioneered the multitouch finger-sensitive touchscreen interface of Apple's iOS mobile operating system. By late 2009, the
iPad's release had been rumored for several years. For wired connectivity, the
iPad has a proprietary Apple dock connector; it lacks the Ethernet and USB ports of larger computers.
The
iPad also contains a microphone that can be used for voice recording.
iPad also features 1024 x 768 VGA video output for limited applications,screen capture,connecting an external display or television.
The
iPad uses an internal rechargeable lithium-ion polymer battery (LiPo). Apple claims that the
iPad's battery can provide up to 10 hours of video, 140 hours of audio playback, or one month on standby. Like any battery technology, the
iPad's LiPo battery loses capacity over time, but is not designed to be user-replaceable. In a program similar to the battery-replacement program for the iPod and the original iPhone, Apple will replace an
iPad that does not hold an electrical charge with a refurbished
iPad for a fee of $99 (plus $6.95 shipping).
The
iPad was released with three capacity options for storage: 16, 32, or 64 GB of internal flash memory. The iPad is assembled by Foxconn, which also manufactures Apple's iPod, iPhone and Mac Mini, in its largest plant in Shenzhen, China.
The
iPad runs almost all third-party iPhone applications, displaying them at iPhone size or enlarging them to fill the
iPad's screen.Application developers use iPhone SDK for developing applications for iPad.On September 1, it was announced the
iPad would get iOS 4.2 by November 2010.
The
iPad comes with several applications, including Safari, Mail, Photos, Video, YouTube, iPod, iTunes, App Store, iBooks, Maps, Notes, Calendar, Contacts, and Spotlight Search.The iPad syncs with iTunes on a Mac or Windows PC.The iPad has lots of third party applications available for it; as of September 1, 2010, there were 25,000 iPad specific apps on the App Store.
The
iPad employs DRM intended to lock purchased content—including TV shows, movies, and apps—to operate only on Apple's platform. Also, the iPad's development model requires anyone creating an app for the iPad to sign a non-disclosure agreement and pay for a developer subscription.
Like other iOS Devices, the iPad can be "jailbroken", allowing applications and programs that are not authorized by Apple to run on the device.For the iPad launch on April 3, 2010, the iBookstore is available only in the United States.In April 2010, The New York Times announced it will begin publishing daily on the iPad.
Apple's App Store, which provides iPhone and iPad applications, imposes censorship of content, which has become an issue for book publishers and magazines seeking to use the platform. Release
Apple began taking pre-orders for the iPad from U.S. customers on March 12, 2010. The Wi-Fi version of the iPad went on sale in the United States on April 3, 2010.Between July 1 and September 30, 2010, Apple sold a further 4.2 million iPads. The
iPad was initially only available online at The Apple Store as well as the company's retail locations.Apple released the iPad in Austria, Belgium, Hong Kong, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand and Singapore on July 23, 2010. On September 17, 2010, the iPad officially launched in China.The iPad launched in India on January 27, 2011. The 16GB Wi-Fi iPad version costs 27,990 and the 3G + Wi-Fi variant of the same is 34,900. The 64GB 3G + Wi-Fi iPad model is the most expensive at 44,990.The Wi-Fi iPad version now costs 24,500 (16GB), 29,500 (32GB), 34,500 (64GB) and the 3G + Wi-Fi variants cost 31,900 (16GB), 36,900 (32GB), 41,900 (64GB).
On May 28, 2010, the
iPad was released in Australia, Canada, and Japan, as well as several larger European countries. Media reaction to the iPad announcement was mixed. Reviews of the iPad have been generally favorable.Michael Arrington of TechCrunch said, "the iPad beats even my most optimistic expectations. PC World criticized the iPad's file sharing and printing abilities.In contrast they criticized the iPad for being a closed system and mentioned that the iPad faces competition from Android based tablets.Many colleges and universities have also used the iPad. The iPad is able to support many music creation applications in addition to the iTunes music playback software.
On March 2, 2011, the
iPad 2 was announced.The iPad 2 added a dual core Apple A5 processor as well as CDMA support for Verizon Wireless in the United States.Alongside the iPad 2, Jobs also announced that the iOS 4.3 operating system would be available March 11, 2011.
The iPad 2 has appeared on the Apple.com store, but is not available for purchase until March 11.
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