knowledge about iPad

The iPad is a tablet computer designed, developed and marketed by Apple primarily as a platform for audio-visual media including books, periodicals, movies, music, games, and web content. At about 1.5 pounds (680 grams) (SONY Vaio VGN-FW32J Battery), its size and weight fall between those of contemporary smartphones and laptop computers. Apple released the iPad in April 2010, and sold 3 million of the devices in 80 days(SONY Vaio VGN-FW17W Battery).

According to a report released by Strategy Analytics, the Apple iPad had gained a 95 percent share of Tablet PC sales at the end of the second quarter of 2010. During the second quarter of 2010, Apple sold 4.19 million iPads around the world(SONY Vaio VGN-FW31E Battery).

The iPad runs the same operating system as the iPod Touch and iPhone—and can run its own applications as well as iPhone applications. Without modification, it will only run programs approved by Apple and distributed via its online store(SONY Vaio VGN-FW139E Battery).

Like iPhone and iPod Touch, the iPad is controlled by a multitouch display—a departure from most previous tablet computers, which used a pressure-triggered stylus—as well as a virtual onscreen keyboard in lieu of a physical keyboard(SONY Vaio VGN-FW139E/H Battery). The iPad uses a Wi-Fi data connection to browse the Internet, load and stream media, and install software. Some models also have a 3G wireless data connection which can connect to HSPA data networks. The device is managed and synced by iTunes on a personal computer via USB cable(SONY Vaio VGN-FW465J Battery).

Media reaction to the device has generally been neutral or positive, with more positive reaction after the device was launched(SONY Vaio VGN-FW31M Battery).

History

Apple's first tablet computer was the Newton MessagePad 100, introduced in 1993, which led to the creation of the ARM6 processor core with Acorn Computers. Apple also developed a prototype PowerBook Duo-based tablet(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ21E Battery), the PenLite, but in order to avoid hurting MessagePad sales did not sell it. Apple released several more Newton-based PDAs, and discontinued the last, the MessagePad 2100, in 1998(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ21Z Battery).

With the success of the introduction of portable music player iPod in 2001, Apple re-entered the mobile-computing market in 2007 with the iPhone. Smaller than the iPad but featuring a camera and mobile phone(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ21J Battery), it pioneered the multitouch finger-sensitive touchscreen interface of Apple's mobile operating system—iOS. By late 2009, the iPad's release had been rumored for several years. Mostly referred to as "Apple's tablet", iTablet and iSlate were among the speculated names(SONY Vaio VGN-FW11 Battery).The iPad was announced on January 27, 2010, by Steve Jobs at an Apple press conference at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco(SONY Vaio VGN-FW11M Battery).

Jobs later admitted that development started on the iPad before the iPhone. Upon realizing that it would work just as well as a mobile phone, Jobs put development of the iPad on hold and decided to develop the iPhone instead(SONY Vaio VGN-FW11S Battery).

Hardware

Screen and input

Steve Jobs, Apple CEO, introducing the iPad

The iPad's touchscreen display is a 9.7 in (25 cm) liquid crystal display (1024 × 768 pixels) with fingerprint-resistant and scratch-resistant glass. Steve Jobs backed the choice of screen size, saying a 7-inch screen would be "too small to express the software." (SONY Vaio VGN-FW21E Battery) He said 10 inches was the minimum for a tablet screen. Like the iPhone, the iPad is designed to be controlled by bare fingers; normal gloves and styli that prevent electrical conductivity may not be used, although there are special gloves and capacitive styli designed for this use(SONY Vaio VGN-FW21J Battery).

The display responds to two other sensors: an ambient light sensor to adjust screen brightness and a 3-axis accelerometer to sense iPad orientation and switch between portrait and landscape modes. Unlike the iPhone and iPod touch built-in applications(SONY Vaio VGN-FW21L Battery), which work in three orientations (portrait, landscape-left and landscape-right), the iPad built-in applications support screen rotation in all four orientations (the three aforementioned ones along with upside-down), meaning that the device has no intrinsic "native" orientation; only the relative position of the home button changes(SONY Vaio VGN-FW21M Battery).

In total there are four physical switches on the iPad, including a home button below the display that returns the user to the main menu, and three plastic physical switches on the sides: wake/sleep and volume up/down(SONY VGP-BPS13Q Battery), plus a third which, as of iOS 4.2, acts as a mute switch. Initially this switch was utilized to lock out the screen rotation function (reportedly to prevent unintended rotation when the user is lying down) (SONY VGP-BPS13B/Q Battery). However, with the iOS 4.2 update, this functionality was removed and rotation lock is now controlled with a software toggle via the iOS task switcher. There is no means to reassign the physical switches functionality in the official iOS release(SONY VGN NR11S/S battery).

Connectivity

The iPad can use Wi-Fi network trilateration from Skyhook Wireless to provide location information to applications such as Google Maps. The 3G model contains A-GPS to allow its position to be calculated with GPS or relative to nearby cellphone towers(SONY VGN NR11M/S battery); it also has a black plastic accent on the back side to improve 3G radio sensitivity.

For wired connectivity, the iPad has a proprietary Apple dock connector; it lacks the Ethernet and USB ports of larger computers(SONY VGN NR11Z/S battery).

Audio and output

The iPad has two internal speakers that push mono sound through two small sealed channels to the three audio ports carved into the bottom-right of the unit. A volume switch is on the right side of the unit(SONY VGN NR11Z/T battery).

A 3.5-mm TRS connector audio-out jack on the top-left corner of the device provides stereo sound for headphones with or without microphones and/or volume controls. The iPad also contains a microphone that can be used for voice recording(SONY VGP-BPS13A/Q Battery).

The built-in Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR interface allows wireless headphones and keyboards to be used with the iPad. However, the iOS does not currently support file transfer via Bluetooth. iPad also features 1024 x 768 VGA video output for connecting an external display or television(SONY VGP-BPS21/S Battery).

Power and battery

The iPad uses an internal rechargeable lithium-ion polymer battery (LiPo). The batteries are made in Taiwan by Simplo Technology, which makes 60% of them, and Dynapack International Technology(SONY VGP-BPS21 Battery). The iPad is designed to be charged with a high current (2 amperes) using the included USB 10-watt (0.013 hp) power adapter. While it can be charged by a standard USB port from a computer, these are limited to 500 milliamperes (half an amp) (SONY VGP-BPS21B Battery). As a result, if the iPad is turned on while connected to a normal USB computer port, it may charge much more slowly, or not at all. High-power USB ports found in newer Apple computers and accessories provide full charging capabilities(SONY VGP-BPS21A/B Battery).

Apple claims that the iPad's battery can provide up to 10 hours of video, 140 hours of audio playback, or one month on standby. Like any battery technology, the iPad's LiPo battery loses capacity over time, but is not designed to be user-replaceable(SONY VAIO PCG-5K1L battery). In a program similar to the battery-replacement program for the iPod and the original iPhone, Apple will replace an iPad that does not hold an electrical charge with a refurbished iPad for a fee of $99 (plus $6.95 shipping) (SONY VAIO PCG-6W2L battery).

Storage and SIM

The iPad was released with three options for internal storage size: a 16, 32, or 64 GB flash drive. All data is stored on the flash drive and there is no option to expand storage. Apple sells a camera connection kit with an SD card reader, but it can only be used to transfer photos and videos(SONY VAIO PCG-7112L battery).

The side of the Wi-Fi + 3G model has a micro-SIM slot (not mini-SIM). Unlike the iPhone, which is usually sold locked to specific carriers, the 3G iPad is sold unlocked and can be used with any compatible GSM carrier. Japan is the exception to this(SONY VAIO PCG-8Z1L battery), where the iPad 3G is locked to Softbank. In the U.S., data network access via T-Mobile's network is limited to slower EDGE cellular speeds because T-Mobile's 3G Network uses different frequencies(SONY VAIO PCG-8Z2L battery).

Optional accessories

Apple offers several iPad accessories, including:

iPad Keyboard Dock with hardware keyboard, 30-pin connector, and audio jack

iPad Case which can be used to stand the iPad in various positions

iPad Dock with 30-pin connector and audio jack

iPad Dock Connector to VGA Adapter for external monitor or projector

iPad Camera Connection Kit including a USB Type A connector adapter and an SD card reader, for transferring photos and videos(SONY VAIO PCG-8Y2L battery)

iPad 10W USB Power Adapter with 2 A output (10 W)

Manufacture

The iPad is assembled by Foxconn, which also manufactures Apple's iPod, iPhone and Mac Mini, in its largest plant in Shenzhen, China(SONY VAIO PCG-8Y1L battery).

iSuppli estimated that each iPad 16 GB Wi-Fi version costs $259.60 to manufacture, a total that excludes research, development, licensing, royalty and patent costs. Apple does not disclose the makers of iPad components, but teardown reports and analysis from industry insiders indicate that various parts and their suppliers include(SONY VAIO PCG-7Z2L battery):

Apple A4 SoC: Samsung.

NAND flash RAM chips: Toshiba; except Samsung for the 64 GB model.

Touch-screen chips: Broadcom.

IPS Display: LG Display

Touch panels: Wintek. (Got the job after TPK Touch Solutions was unable to fulfill its orders, delaying the iPad's release from late March to early April.) (SONY VAIO PCG-7Z1L battery)

Case: Catcher Technologies.

LCD drivers: Novatek Microelectronics.

Batteries: 60% are made in Taiwan by Simplo Technology, 40% by Dynapack International(SONY VAIO PCG-7133L battery).

Accelerometer: STMicroelectronics.

Software

Like the iPhone, with which it shares a development environment (iPhone SDK, or software development kit, version 3.2 onwards), the iPad only runs its own software, software downloaded from Apple's App Store(SONY VAIO PCG-7113L battery), and software written by developers who have paid for a developer's license on registered devices. The iPad runs almost all third-party iPhone applications, displaying them at iPhone size or enlarging them to fill the iPad's screen(SONY VAIO PCG-6W3L battery). Developers may also create or modify apps to take advantage of the iPad's features. Application developers use iPhone SDK for developing applications for iPad. The iPad has been shipping with a customized iPad-only version of iPhone OS(SONY VAIO PCG-7111L battery), dubbed v3.2. On September 1, it was announced the iPad would get iOS 4.2 by November 2010. Apple released iOS 4.2.1 to the public on November 22(SONY VAIO PCG-6W1L battery).

Applications

The iPad comes with several applications, including Safari, Mail, Photos, Video, YouTube, iPod, iTunes, App Store, iBooks, Maps, Notes, Calendar, Contacts, and Spotlight Search. Several are improved versions of applications developed for the iPhone(SONY VAIO PCG-6V1L battery).

The iPad syncs with iTunes on a Mac or Windows PC. Apple ported its iWork suite from the Mac to the iPad, and sells pared down versions of Pages, Numbers, and Keynote apps in the App Store. Although the iPad is not designed to replace a mobile phone(SONY VAIO PCG-6S3L battery), a user can use a wired headset or the built-in speaker and microphone and place phone calls over Wi-Fi or 3G using a VoIP application. The iPad has lots of third party applications available for it; as of September 1, 2010, there were 25,000 iPad specific apps on the App Store. The iPad cannot run Xcode since it uses iOS(SONY VAIO PCG-6S2L battery).

In December 2010, Reuters reported that iPhone and iPad users have lodged a lawsuit against Apple Inc alleging that some applications were passing their information to third party advertisers without consent(SONY VAIO PCG-5J2L battery).

Digital rights management

For more details on the digital rights management, see iOS.

The iPad employs DRM intended to lock purchased content—including TV shows, movies, and apps—to operate only on Apple's platform. Also, the iPad's development model requires anyone creating an app for the iPad to sign a non-disclosure agreement and pay for a developer subscription(SONY VAIO PCG-5L1L battery). Furthermore, critics argue Apple's centralized app approval process and control and lockdown of the platform itself could stifle software innovation. Of particular concern to digital rights advocates is the ability for Apple to remotely disable or delete apps, media, or data on the iPad at will(SONY VAIO PCG-5K2L battery).

Digital rights advocates, including the Free Software Foundation, Electronic Frontier Foundation, and computer engineer and activist Brewster Kahle, have criticized the iPad for its digital rights restrictions. Paul Sweeting, an analyst with GigaOM(SONY VAIO PCG-5J1L battery), is quoted by National Public Radio saying, "With the iPad, you have the anti-Internet in your hands. It offers [the major media companies] the opportunity to essentially re-create the old business model, wherein they are pushing content to you on their terms rather than you going out and finding content(SONY VAIO PCG-5G3L battery), or a search engine discovering content for you." But Sweeting also thinks Apple's limitations make its products feel like living in a safe neighborhood, saying, "Apple is offering you a gated community where there's a guard at the gate, and there's probably maid service, too(SONY VAIO PCG-5G2L battery)." Laura Sydell, the article's author, concludes, "As more consumers have fears about security on the Internet, viruses and malware, they may be happy to opt for Apple's gated community." (SONY VGP-BPS13B/S Battery)

Jailbreaking

For more details on iPad Jailbreaking, see iOS jailbreaking.

Like other iOS Devices, the iPad can be "jailbroken", allowing applications and programs that are not authorized by Apple to run on the device(SONY VGP-BPS13S Battery). Once jailbroken, iPad users are able to download many applications previously unavailable through the App Store via unofficial installers such as Cydia, as well as illegally pirated applications. Apple claims jailbreaking voids their factory warranty on the device in the United States(SONY VGP-BPS13AS Battery).

Books, news, and magazine content

Reading a book on the iPad

Further information: iBookstore

The iPad has an optional iBooks application that can be downloaded from the App Store, which displays books and other ePub-format content downloaded from the iBookstore. For the iPad launch on April 3, 2010, the iBookstore is available only in the United States(SONY VGP-BPS13A/S Battery). Several major book publishers including Penguin Books, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster and Macmillan have committed to publishing books for the iPad. Despite being a direct competitor to both the Amazon Kindle and Barnes & Noble Nook, both Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble have made Kindle & Nook apps available for the iPad(Sony VAIO VGN-FZ15G Battery).

In February 2010, Condé Nast Publications said it would sell iPad subscriptions for its GQ, Vanity Fair and Wired magazines by June.

In April 2010, The New York Times announced it will begin publishing daily on the iPad(Sony VAIO VGN-FZ15T Battery). As of October 2010, The New York Times iPad app is ad-supported and available for free without a paid subscription, but will transition to a subscription-based model in 2011. Major news organizations, such as The Wall Street Journal, BBC, and Reuters have released iPad applications, to varying degrees of success(SONY VGP-BPS13/B Battery).

Censorship

Further information: Apple App Store censorship

Apple's App Store, which provides iPhone and iPad applications, imposes censorship of content, which has become an issue for book publishers and magazines seeking to use the platform(SONY VGP-BPS13B/B Battery). The Guardian described the role of Apple as analogous to that of the distributor WH Smith, a main distributor which for many years imposed content restrictions on British publishers(SONY VGP-BPS13 Battery).

Due to the exclusion of porn from the App Store, YouPorn and others changed their video format from Flash to H.264 and HTML5 specifically for the iPad. In an e-mail exchange with Ryan Tate from Valleywag(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ31B Battery), Steve Jobs claimed that the iPad offers "freedom from porn", leading to many upset replies including Adbustings in Berlin by artist Johannes P. Osterhoff and in San Francisco during WWDC10(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ31M Battery).

Release

Apple began taking pre-orders for the iPad from U.S. customers on March 12, 2010. The only major change to the device between its announcement and being available to pre-order was the change of the behavior of the side switch from sound muting to that of a screen rotation lock(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ31J Battery). The Wi-Fi version of the iPad went on sale in the United States on April 3, 2010. The Wi-Fi + 3G version was released on April 30. 3G service in the United States is provided by AT&T and was initially sold with two prepaid contract-free data plan options(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ31E Battery): one for unlimited data and the other for 250 MB per month at half the price. On June 2, 2010, AT&T announced that effective June 7 the unlimited plan would be replaced for new customers with a 2 GB plan at slightly lower cost(Sony Vaio VGN-FZ31S battery); existing customers would have the option to keep the unlimited plan. The plans are activated on the iPad itself and can be canceled at any time(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ31z Battery).

The device was initially popular with 300,000 iPads being sold on their first day of availability. By May 3, 2010, Apple had sold a million iPads, this was in half the time it took Apple to sell the same number of original iPhones(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ38M Battery). By May 31, 2010, Apple had sold two million iPads and by June 22, 2010, they had sold 3 million. Between July 1 and September 30, 2010, Apple sold a further 4.2 million iPads. During the October 18, 2010, Financial Conference Call, Steve Jobs announced that Apple had sold more iPads than Macs for the Fiscal Quarter(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ210CE Battery).

The iPad was initially only available online at The Apple Store as well as the company's retail locations. The iPad has since been available for purchase through many retailers including Amazon, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Verizon, and AT&T(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ160 Battery).

The iPad was launched in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom on May 28. Online pre-orders in those countries began on May 10. Apple released the iPad in Austria(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ21 Battery), Belgium, Hong Kong, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand and Singapore on July 23, 2010. Israel briefly prohibited importation of the iPad because of concerns that its Wi-Fi might interfere with other devices. On September 17, 2010, the iPad officially launched in China. On November 30, 2010, the iPad officially launched in Malaysia(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ410 Battery).

The South Korean Minister of Culture and Tourism, Yu In-chon was criticized for using an "unapproved" iPad on a public occasion. It is illegal to use an unapproved electronic device in South Korea. However, iPad was released in South Korea on November 30, 2010 through KT which also carries the iPhone(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ21m Battery).

The iPad launched in India on January 28, 2011. The 16GB iPad costs 27,900 and the 3G variant of the same is 34,900.

Reception

Main article: Reception of the iPad

On May 28, 2010, the iPad was released in Australia(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ18m Battery), Canada, and Japan, as well as several larger European countries. Media reaction to the launch was mixed. The media noted the positive response from fans of the device, with thousands of people queued on the first day of sale in a number of these countries(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ11m Battery).

Reaction to the announcement

Media reaction to the iPad announcement was mixed. Walt Mossberg wrote, "It's about the software, stupid", meaning hardware features and build are less important to the iPad's success than software and user interface(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ11z Battery), his first impressions of which were largely positive. Mossberg also called the price "modest" for a device of its capabilities, and praised the ten-hour battery life. Others, including PC Advisor and The Sydney Morning Herald(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ11l Battery), wrote that the iPad would also compete with proliferating netbooks, most of which use Microsoft Windows. The base model's $499 price was lower than pre-release estimates by the tech press, Wall Street analysts, and Apple's competitors, all of whom were expecting a much higher entry price point(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ140E Battery).

CNET also criticized the iPad for its apparent lack of wireless sync which other portable devices such as Microsoft's Zune have had for a number of years. The built-in iTunes app is able to download from the Internet as well(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ260E Battery).

Reviews

Reviews of the iPad have been generally favorable. Walt Mossberg of The Wall Street Journal called it a "pretty close" laptop killer. David Pogue of The New York Times wrote a "dual" review, one part for technology-minded people, and the other part for non-technology-minded people(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ150E Battery). In the former section, he notes that a laptop offers more features for a cheaper price than the iPad. In his review for the latter audience, however, he claims that if his readers like the concept of the device and can understand what its intended uses are, then they will enjoy using the device(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ190 Battery). PC Magazine's Tim Gideon wrote, "you have yourself a winner" that "will undoubtedly be a driving force in shaping the emerging tablet landscape." Michael Arrington of TechCrunch said, "the iPad beats even my most optimistic expectations. This is a new category of device. But it also will replace laptops for many people." (SONY VAIO VGN-FZ460E Battery)

PC World criticized the iPad's file sharing and printing abilities. and Ars Technica said sharing files with a computer is "one of our least favorite parts of the iPad experience."

The media also praised the quantity of applications, as well as the bookstore and other media applications(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ280E Battery). In contrast they criticized the iPad for being a closed system and mentioned that the iPad faces competition from Android based tablets. The Independent criticized the iPad for not being as readable in bright light as paper but praised it for being able to store large quantities of books(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ440N Battery).

Recognition

The iPad was selected by Time Magazine as one of the 50 Best Inventions of the Year 2010, while Popular Science chose it as the top gadget behind the overall "Best of What's New 2010" winner Groasis Waterboxx(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ32 Battery).

Usage

Business

While the iPad is mostly used by consumers it also has been taken up by business users. Some companies are adopting iPads in their business offices by distributing or making available the iPads to employees. Examples of uses in the workplace include attorneys responding to clients, medical professionals accessing health records during patient exams, and managers approving employee requests(sony vgp-bpl9 battery).

A survey by Frost & Sullivan shows that iPad usage in office workplaces is linked to the goals of increased employee productivity, reduced paperwork, and increased revenue. The research firm estimates that "The mobile-office application market in North America may reach $6.85 billion in 2015, up from an estimated $1.76 billion [in 2010]." (SONY vgp-bps9 battery)

Education

The iPad has several uses in the classroom, and has been praised as a valuable tool for homeschooling. Soon after the iPad was released, it was reported that 81% of the top book apps were for children. The iPad has also been called a revolutionary tool to help children with autism learn how to communicate and socialize more easily(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ11S Battery).

Many colleges and universities have also used the iPad. Youngstown State University in Youngstown, Ohio, began offering three-hour rentals for the iPad for its Fall 2010 semester, in addition to rentals for the Amazon Kindle, laptop computers, and Flip cameras(SONY VAIO VGN-FZ Battery).

Sports

During the 2010 Major League Baseball free agent season, the agent for the player Carl Crawford was sending iPads to prospective teams interested in Mr. Crawford. These iPads were pre-loaded with video clips highlighting his player, and how it would benefit their team to have him(SONY VGP-BPS8 battery).

Music

The iPad is able to support many music creation applications in addition to the iTunes music playback software. These include sound samplers, guitar and voice effects processors, sequencers for synthesized sounds and sampled loops, virtual synthesizers and drum machines(Sony VAIO PCG-5K1L battery), theremin-style and other touch responsive instruments, drum pads and many more. Gorillaz's 2010 album, The Fall, was created almost exclusively using the iPad by Damon Albarn while on tour with the band(Sony VAIO PCG-6W2L battery).