Its been a few days after Apple launched their newest creation – Apple iPad. Yes, I know the name has gotten alot of discussion… So I’m not going to cover or comment its name.  Let’s go down to detail to cover all you need to know about Apple’s new iPad.

Hardware -

Processor – Apple A4

Its a surprise that Apple released iPad with their own processor – Apple A4, a chip that is unheard of until the launch of iPad. It is 1GHz, and seems to be extremely powerful and energy-efficient as it can run games and animation with ease and provide 10hours of battery life. It is believed that this chip is developed by P.A Semi which was  acquired in 2008 by Apple.

Screen – 9.7″ LED Backlit IPS

iPad comes with a 9.7 inch LED Backlit IPS(in-plane-switching) screen which is  power-efficient and has a very wide viewing angle. Having a 178 degree viewing angle, you can hold your iPad anyway and still experience the best color and brilliant picture. It supports 1024X768 resolution with 480p out. Battery life is 10hours for Video Watching, but it is a huge 140hours if you only listen to music/podcast! As Steve Job mentioned, it is all about Screen consuming power.

Connectivity and Audio – 3G, Wifi, 30-pin port, built-in-speaker and microphone

iPad will come with Wifi by default, but there will be model with 3G built-in up to 7.2mbps thus you can internet connectivity when there is not Wifi. Wifi connection can be setup as simple as current iPhone.  iPad also comes with Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, thus able to connect to wireless headphones and Apple wireless keyboard.

With Built-in speakers, microphone and headphone jack, media can be consume with great experience.

Storage and Size – 16GB to 64GB, 0.5inch thick and 450gram

Accessory – Lots of accessories for iPad

Keyboard Dock – a full size keyboard with dock, thus able to dock up your iPad in portrait mode with keyboard. As iPad comes with Apps like iWorks, it make sense for iPad to be pair/dock with keyboard.

Standalone Dock – As iPad has Bluetooth connectivity, iPad can be pair with Apple Wireless Keyboard, so it make more sense for users who already have Apple’s Wireless keyboard.

Camera Kit – Allows you to import photos from Camera or SD Card.

iPad Case – Protects your iPad from scratches, and allows you to use it in various position example landscape and portrait mode, which will be easy to watch movie.

Software

Enough of Hardware talks, now let’s focus on software. Software in my opinion is the most important aspect in iPad. Like the wining software that make iPod popular is iTunes, the wining software for iPhone is App Store. iPad’s winning software is not just 1 software but all of the above. With App Store, iTunes, iBookStore, iBook, iWorks, iPad has a huge range of software to start with.

iPhone OS 3.2

iPad is running on iPhone OS 3.2, the main difference is that it has 3D like contextual drop-down menu. But unfortunately, this version of OS might not be available on iPhone and iPod Touch as it is custom build for iPad. Apple has not only built a OS for iPad, they also rewritten all the natives application on iPhone OS to fully make use of it large screen and faster processing power. Apps like Safari, Mail, Calendar, iTunes and iPod are all written for iPad.

iWork

Not only natives apps are rewritten on iPad. Apple even release a new version of iWorks, a multi-touch version which runs blazingly fast on iPad. Making this device a mobile media devices with some works in it. User can watch videos, listen to music at the same time do some presentation work, or write some document. Yes. it is not going to replace your macbook or your PC. But with average consumers who don’t really do heavy duty stuff on their home computer. This device might be all you need at home.

iBooks

Apple finally releases their eBook store, it has been rumored for a long time that Apple is going to step into the eBook industry. Now Apple is in all of the media content instrustries, music, video, audiobooks, games, and now ebooks. After buying books from iBookStore, your books will appear in the bookshelf in iBooks App, then click on any book icon to start reading books.

App Store + Apps

With App Store running on iPad, it becomes anything you wish it will do. From Stock monitoring to twittering, alarm clock to Apple “Wii”. 140,000 Apps in Apple’s App Store. you won’t have to worry you iPad can’t do whatever you wish it can do. But because Apps on App Store are build with iPod Touch and iPhone resolution. Apple built a feature that will enlarge the pixel thus expand the App to iPad resolution with just 1 tap!

Now, you can play your favorite games on iPad without worrying that there are support issues. Although Game/App developers are starting to develop for iPad full res. thus you can have better experience on it.

Pricing -

Last but not the least, the pricing for iPad. As usual practice of Apple, there’s a range of Products for you to choose. You can have more storage, or no 3G connectivity depending on your needs.

Are you thinking it is too expensive? Think again after you look @ the chart from darrenbeckett.com below!

Not too much right?

Take a look @ engadget’s hands on video

Ok Folks, that should be all you need to know about iPad! Comment in the post or tweet me @usingapple