Thaindian News

Washington, Jan 28 (ANI): Apple’s much-awaited iPad-the tablet-style touchscreen personal computer- has finally been launched

Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced the company’s new iPad soon after he got a standing ovation from the crowd.

Jobs said that the device, which he called a “truly magical product,” could let users browse the Web, send e-mail, share photos, watch videos, listen to music, play games and read e-Books.

The “iPad is our most advanced technology in a magical & revolutionary device at an unbelievable price,” ABC News quoted the Apple CEO, as saying in a statement.

Like an iPhone, the iPad has a touch screen that zooms in and out of Web sites and a virtual keyboard.

It also orients to portrait or landscape viewing, depending on how you hold it.

The iPad will be half-an-inch thick and weigh in at 1.5 pounds. It will have a 9.7-inch display and include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.

When Jobs said the PC will have a 10-hour battery life, applause burst from the audience.

And while analysts expected the device to cost between 800 dollars and 1000 dollars, Jobs shocked the crowd by saying: “I am thrilled to announce to you that the iPad pricing starts not at 999 dollars, but 499 dollars.”

Wi-Fi-only versions of the iPad cost 499 dollars for the 16BG model, 599 dollars for the 32 GB model and 699 dollars for the 64 GB model.

Devices equipped to run on ATnT’s wireless 3G network cost an extra 130 dollars and run from 629 dollars for the 16 GB model to 829 dollars for the 64GB model.

Jobs said that the iPads will ship in 60 days. It will run iPhone apps on the fullscreen and emphasize gaming.

He then continued on to show off the device’s talents as an e-reader.

Jobs also announced a new iBooks application that will allow iPad users to download books and publications from a wide range of partners, including Penguin, Harper Collins, Simon n Schuster and MacMillan. (ANI)