Apple iPad Announced Today: Starts at $500, Available April

Apple's highly anticipated product announcement today confirmed what most observers suspected, that the Cupertino-based company is releasing a tablet computer, dubbed the iPad.

The touchscreen tablet, which is similar to a large and supercharged iPod Touch, will go on sale in two months and be priced between $499 and $829 depending on the size of its harddrive and speed of cellular data connection. It weighs in at one and a half pounds and sports a screen size of 9.7 inches - and is just a half inch thick. The $500 base "wi-fi" model will include 16gb of storage, the $600 middle version 32gb and the $700 version comes with 64gb. Add $130 for 3G (high speed cellular) capability, maxing out pricing at $829.

I say it's essentially a large iPod Touch because it possesses the same features; cellular (3G) and/or wi-fi data (no voice) connection, a touchscreen, screen-based touch keyboard, accelerometer (to automatically switch between landscape and portrait orientation), compass, microphone, speaker... and of course all the apps that we've come to know and love on our iPhones and iPod Touches. Data connectivity (for surfing the web, media downloading) is offered by AT&T as with the iPhone, and for the same price of $30 a month for unlimited data use (no contract required). Good news is that the iPad is not locked to AT&T, so you can use any phone company you like, anywhere in the world by switching out the SIM card. These cellular connections will not work on Verizon's networks.

One of the pad's welcome features is its long battery life, estimated at 10 hours (with a full month of standby time). This is five times that of my MacBook Pro, and nearly as long as my normal iPod. Definitely a welcome feature for people stuck on long flights and for reading e-books. And for those of us typing, Apple announced an external (physical) keyboard accessory that docks right to the iPad.

Another nice feature of the iPad is its potential as an e-book reader, taking on Amazon's Kindle with their new app dubbed "iBooks," which lets you purchase books and begin reading immediately. The New York Times also went into Apple's HQ a full three weeks ago to begin developing their newspaper for the iPad, and the result is a nice e-version of the paper. Note to Apple - you should consider a feature whereby users can turn off the automatic switching from landscape to portrait mode, so we can read books and papers sideways (such as in bed). Now where was I?

In all, the iPad is going to be a boon for gaming with its large screen and fast processor, as well as a potential game-changer for artists who will welcome the vertical orientation of the glass touchscreen. Because of its size, its ability to be used in portrait mode, its accurate touchscreen and fast graphics, the iPad is destined to carve out a whole new niche of previously unseen applications and uses. I can just see a refrigerator mount being developed right now for our kitchens...

As a longtime Apple customer (I've been using Apple products since 1987), I'm happy to see another unique and elegant piece of hardware come out of the company's brain trust. The iPad is a beautiful piece of machinery, and will no doubt inspire many great new apps and uses - much the way the iPhone has. The question the buying public will have to ask itself is whether this is a product that will make their lives easier (or more fun) right now? For me, the jury is out until I hold one and use it. For now it's a curiosity, and one for which I'll be hoping success, as my computing life is definitely easier with Apple in it.

Click here to watch a video on the iPad.