Apple iPad tablet computer looks like a big iPhone, but it has much more

functionality. It is intended to provide web connectivity between the

smartphones which are too small for effective web connectivity such as browsing

and or surfing and that of netbooks, which do not yet the provide the

comfortable portability that may be needed.

The sleekly designed iPad is only a half inch thick, and

has has a 9.7 inch touch screen, weighs 1.5 pounds and comes with 16, 32 or 64 gigabytes of flash memory.

Some interesting features:

• WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity are built

in.

• The battery is expected to last 10 hours and can sit for a month on

standby without needing a charge.

• The more expensive models will be sold

with data plans on 3G connectivity.

• The data plans announced have been

simplified at price point of $14.99 per month for 250 mb or $29.99 for unlimited

usage.

• The most interesting feature is that the API is open source, so

developers are able to develop applications, much in the same manner as apps are

available for the iPhone.

• The iPad will also be able to operate apps

developed for the iPhone.

• Like iPods and the iPhone, the iPad can sync

with Apple's Macintosh and also Microsoft's Windows computers.

• The iPad can be seen as a great multipurpose device with

the ability to handle web related tasks while including a book reading interface

that connects to a ebook store.

• The interface looks much like a paper book.
• The iPad

touchscreen operates the software that includes a calendar, maps, a video player

and iPod software for playing music.

• Consumers and early adapters may gravitate to the new

category for the much improved functionality and new generations of the device

can be made to include enhancements.