The iPad is a tablet computer designed and developed by Apple. It is particularly marketed for consumption of media such as books and periodicals, movies, music, and games; and for general web and e-mail access. At about 700 grams, its size and weight are between most contemporary smartphones and laptop computers. Apple sold 3 million iPads in the first 80 days after its April 2010 release.
The iPad runs the same operating system as the previously introduced iPod Touch and iPhone, although as of summer 2010, it was a version behind: iPhone OS 3.2, with an update to iOS 4 promised for fall 2010. Likewise, it is controlled by a multitouch display sensitive to fingertip contact with up to eleven fingers. This is unlike most previous tablet computers which instead used a pressure-triggered stylus. The iPad can run its own specific applications as well as those developed originally for the iPhone. Without modification, it will only run programs approved by Apple and distributed via its online store.
The iPad uses Wi-Fi or a 3G mobile data connection to browse the Internet, load and stream media, and install software. A USB cable is required to sync the iPad with iTunes on a personal computer, by which the device is managed. Media reaction to the device has generally been neutral or positive, with more positive reaction after the device was launched.
Hardware
Screen and input
The iPad’s touchscreen display is a 25 cm (9.7 in) liquid crystal display (1024 × 768 pixels) with fingerprint-resistant and scratch-resistant glass, giving users terrific experience to watch videos on ipad. 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 styli designed for this use.
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, 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 position of the home button changes.
The iPad has a switch to lock out this screen rotation function (reportedly to prevent unintended rotation when the user is lying down). There are a total of four physical switches, 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, along with the screen rotation lock.
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; it also has a black plastic accent on the back side to improve 3G radio sensitivity.
For wired connectivity. the iPad has has a dock connector; it lacks the Ethernet and USB ports of larger computers. 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.
A 3.5-mm TRS connector audio-out jack on the top-left corner of the device provides stereo sound for headphones with and without microphones and volume controls.
The iPad also contains a microphone that can be used for voice recording.
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.
Power and battery
The iPad uses an internal rechargeable lithium-ion polymer battery. The batteries are made in Taiwan by Simplo Technology, which makes 60% of them, and Dynapack International Technology. The iPad is designed to be charged with a high current (2 amperes) using the included USB 10 W power adapter. While it can be charged by a standard USB port from a computer, these typically provide lower current (500 milliamperes or 1 ampere). As a result, if the iPad is turned on while being charged with a normal USB computer port, it will charge much more slowly, if at all.
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.
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, 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.
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
* iPad 10W USB Power Adapter with 2 A output (10 W)
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, 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. 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 ships with an improved version of iPhone OS v3.2, and is to get iOS 4 by fall 2010.
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.
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, a user can pair it with a Bluetooth headset and place phone calls over Wi-Fi or 3G using a VoIP application.
Digital rights management
The iPads design imposes strict restrictions in its usage namely DRM intended to lock purchased video content to Apple’s platform, the development model requiring a non-disclosure agreement and paid subscription to develop for the iPad, and the centralized approval process for apps as well as Apple’s general control and lockdown of the platform itself, and that such centralized control could stifle software innovation. Of particular concern is the ability for Apple to remotely disable or delete apps, media, or data on the iPad at will.
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, 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, 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.” 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.”
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Jailbreaking
Like other iOS Devices, the iPad can be “jailbroken”, allowing code that is not authorized by Apple to run on the device. 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 apps. Jailbreaking voids Apple’s warranty on the device.
