Apple launched the iPad (or Apple Tablet) today in a storm of worldwide press coverage and guess what? AppleTablet.net was right on pretty much all the specifications!

First of all, the iPad comes in two flavours: the standard WiFi-enabled edition and the premium 3G-enabled edition with makes it possible to transfer data over AT&T’s data network. No contract with AT&T is required, however it is obvious that it will cost you to use their network.

What we did not expect

Notable specs we really did not expect: the by Apple in-house produced A4 1 GHz processor – we were honestly thinking more of an Intel Duo Core 2 GHz as found in the Apple MacBook range. Earlier we reported the nVidia GeForce 9400M to be in the Apple Tablet. However, this one is missing; the Apple A4 chip seems to be responsible for all video processing in the iPad. Our designs of the Apple Tablet (see the background of this website or previous posts) was pretty close but did not include such a big border as the iPad. Apple has not chosen for this kind of screen for aesthetic reasons but simply to keep costs down. Cheaper screens need more technology on the sides of the displays and therefore the border is so large. We expected a USB port, to enable you to use USB data sticks and external third-party devices on your iPad but for unknown reasons Apple has made the mistake to not include this. Finally, we were wrong by 0.1″ in the size of the display; we expected 9.6″ and the iPad has a 9.7″ display.

No voice calling is available as the iPad is a data-only device. However, we have enough voice-over-ip (VOIP) options like Skype and Fring to choose from to make this possible any way; just after the iPad launch Apple has unlocked VOIP calling on the iPhone.

Apple iPad Specifications

• Display:
  • 9.7″ widescreen LED-backlit glossy multi-touch capacitive display (with IPS technology)
  • 1024-by-768-pixel resolution @ 132 pixels-per-inch (ppi)
  • Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
• Processor: Apple A4 1 GHz (by PA Semiconductor)
• Memory: DDR2 RAM
• Video: Apple A4 1 Ghz (see above)
• Storage: 16 GB to 64 GB flash drive
• Wireless data:
  • Integrated Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n
  • Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
  • 3G version: UMTS/HSDPA (through AT&T, no contract required)
  • 3G version: GSM/EDGE (through AT&T, no contract required)
• Extra devices:
  • Digital compass
  • A-GPS (assisted GPS)
  • Microphone
  • Speaker
• Sensors:
  • Accelerometer
  • Proximity sensor
  • Ambient light sensor
• Inputs:
  • Dock connector (typical Apple port)
  • 3.5 mm stereo headphone jack
  • SIM card
  • No USB port (!!!)
• Battery: Built-in 25 Whr rechargeable lithium-polymer battery (by DynaPak)
• Usage time:
  • Internet: up to 5 hours on 3G
  • Internet: up to 10 hours on Wi-Fi
  • Video playback: up to 10 hours
• Colors:
  • black with silver
• Software:
  • iPhone OS (for iPad)
  • All iPhone applications are supported on the iPad
  • In addition, iPad has its own App Store
• Price level: $499  USD, 399 EUR
• Release date: April 2010, the 3G version will take slightly longer to become available

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Back in 2007, HTC already offered a wide-array of smartphones that offered nearly identical functionality to Apple’s iPhone, albeit lacking a smooth interface. This did not stop Apple from revolutionizing the industry in this segment. With their focus on aesthetics, build quality and a superior interface experience, they won over a 30% market share in the United States alone.

It is a unique moment in time where the cost of parts is low and consumers are ready. The costs are low because suppliers have already experienced a huge demand for touchscreen parts for use in smartphones and are able to produce them now quite well. However smartphone screens are at most 5 inches in diagonal. Suppliers are therefore ready to try larger sizes such as 10 or more inches (the size rumored for the upcoming Apple tablet). In addition consumers are also ready. They have experienced touch interfaces on their smartphones and especially on the iPhone. Everybody knows it and everybody has played with it, or even owns it.

This unique combination will pave the way for tablets in 2010 and making it therefore the year where the tablet computer became a household device.

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Apple has been rumoured to release a portable touchscreen computer for the high-end segment for a while now.

Any data on specifications or other technical details on the tablet were unfortunately unknown, up until now.

An industry analyst has just reported to Apple Tablet the specification sheet for the Apple Tablet to be launched very soon.

• Display:
  • 9.6″ widescreen multi-touch display (by WinTek)
  • 1440-by-1050-pixel resolution at 489 ppi
  • Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
• Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo @ 2.13GHz
• Memory: DDR2 2 GB @ 667 MHz
• Video: nVidia GeForce 9400M
• Storage: 64 GB flash drive
• Optical drive: Apple SuperDrive with DVD±RW and CD-RW
• Wireless:
  • Integrated Wi-Fi 802.11b/g
  • 3G: HSDPA (through AT&T)
  • Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
• Location tools:
  • Assisted GPS (aGPS)
  • Digital compass
• Battery: Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery (by DynaPak)
• Usage time:
  • Internet: up to 6 hours on 3G
  • Internet: up to 12 hours on Wi-Fi
  • Video playback: up to 12 hours
• Sensors:
  • Accelerometer
  • Proximity sensor
  • Ambient light sensor
• Colors:
  • black with silver or
  • white with silver
• Software:
  • Mac OS X 10.6 with touch-enabled interface
• Price level:
• $899  USD, 799 EUR

[Photo courtesy of Fotoboer.nl]

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