iPhone Features

As planned, Apple did indeed announce their latest device and after weeks of speculation about the gadgets name and other details. Well we can finally tell you that it is to be known as the iPad and we have to admit, it looks terrific. While some may see this as simply an oversized iPhone it is clear that this is far from the truth when you delve deep into the innards of the "magical and revolutionary device."

We all know what you're thinking now, because we thought the same. 'It sounds great but I won't be able to afford it', right? Well in truth, it is a pretty expensive piece of hardware but if it delivers what has been promised by the manufacturers, then it has the potential to change the way you communicate and entertain yourself. It will be available with a minimum of 16GB flash memory and this will set you back $499. The next step up will be the 32GB model which will cost $599 and the top version will have 64GB which will cost $699. The initial batch which will be available in 60 days time and will be WiFi only but if you wait a further 30 days then you will be able to pick up a 3G model, adding $130 to the cost of the device.

What we really care about however is gaming and the iPad will hopefully not disappoint with it being powered by a 1GHz Apple A4 chip. EA have already pledged their support for Apples latest project. At the press conference the big time publishers presented their newest version of Need For Speed providing "near lap top quality" visuals and gameplay. If waiting for games to become available was something playing on your mind then bare in mind that it took EA only two and a half weeks to knock up a game demo, just to give to an idea of the time frame we can expect for development. D-Pads and other controls will be able to moved around the screen now and two or three fingers can now be swiped across the screen delivering varying results dependant upon the game you are playing. Targeting boxes can also be drawn around enemies and you can shoot them at the same time.

According to the company, the iPad will be used for "browsing the web, reading and sending email, enjoying photos, watching videos, listening to music, playing games, reading e-books and much more," providing the view that this is more of a scaled down lap top rather a beefed up iPod. The iPad measure just half an inch in thickness and is described as somewhere in between A4 and A5 in terms of size. It will also include a highly responsive screen which will feature over 1000 sensors and will measure 9.7 inches. Impressive.

The iPad will be fully compatible with the App Store and come loaded with 12 specifically designed Apps. It will be compatible for all the Apps available in the App Store too meaning no double charging if you want to transfer your iPhone data to your new gadget. Surfing the Internet looks set to be a breeze too with a near full size QWERTY keyboard being accessible on the revolutionary screen. It will also feature iBooks which looks to be the iTunes of the paperback world. Your purchased novels will appear in a bookshelf and will allow easy browsing thanks to the advanced technology. It will also feature 10 hours battery life and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, a 30-pin connector, speaker, microphone, accelerometer and compass all come as standard but it will lack a camera which is a slight disappointment.

The iPad is looking very special indeed but if you have an iPhone and a lap top, would you really need one? Probably not but wanting one is a completely different matter. What do you think of the iPad? Waste of money or sound investment? Will you be buying one? We may have to wait and see what Santa brings us at the end of the year.