Apple tablet launch: as it happened

Apple has officially unveiled its long awaited tablet device, the iPad.

Click here for our photo gallery and full news story on the launch of the iPad

PC Pro was following proceedings as they happened – read below for the key points from the big launch event.

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• And it’s all over – click here to read the full story on the iPad launch
• Interestingly (OK, you’ll be the judge of that), all the Apple demos have involved putting the device on your lap. Looks like it’s not easy to hold the iPad with one hand and tap away with the other.
• iPad has optional dock with full hardware keyboard.
• Wi-Fi models available in 60 days, 3G models available in 90 days. Both worldwide.
• iPad models to start from $499 (16GB), $599 (32GB), $699 (64GB). If you want 3G chips with that it will cost you $629 (16GB), $729 (32GB) and $829 (64GB)
• Good news: Some models will have 3G. In the US, 3G contract is all pre-paid – no contracts. International deals by June. 3G will be unlocked – bad luck O2.
• iWork apps for iPad to be $9.99 each. Yet another excuse to do no work on the thing, then.
• Special data entry keyboard for plugging data into spreadsheets. Does Apple really think people are going to work on a plate of glass?
• Jobs announces specially designed version of iWork for iPad. Team have been tweaking the interface for a year, says Jobs. Word processing, spreadsheets, presentations – the full works (if you excuse the pun).
• New iPad app: iBooks. The much expected eBook Reader. Jobs comparing iPad eBooks to Amazon Kindle, and it does look a cut above. $4.99 for selected new eBooks – that’s a huge cut on current prices. Other big titles are closer to the regular $15 price. Penguin, Simon & Schuster, Harper Collins all signed up. Compatible with the ePub format.
• Now there’s a baseball game. That’s not cricket.
• It’s a full-on app showcase now: next up is Brushes, a paint app that obviously benefits from the touch controls. EA is also demonstrating an iPad version of Need For Speed Shift, where you can tilt the screen to steer the cars. “It’s like holding a HD display up to your face,” says EA man. Right.
• Now demonstrating New York Times app for the iPad. Looks impressive, with newspaper like-design and embedded videos on the page.
• All iPhone apps will work on iPad – can transfer apps purchased already to the device. Nice touch.
• Looks like there’s no 3G or GPS (Update – Apple was holding this back, both are in selected models).
• Specs: 9.7in IPS display, 0.5in thick, 1.5 pounds, 16, 32 or 64GB of flash storage, 1GHz Apple A4 chip (new one on us), Bluetooth 2.1, 802.11n Wi-Fi, accelerometer, 10 hours battery life.
• Jobs demonstrating movies, TV shows and HD video from YouTube playing full screen on the iPad. We’re distinctly whelmed right now.
• iTunes, email and calendar interfaces have been tweaked for the iPad. Hardly ground-breaking stuff so far
• Jobs demonstrating onscreen keyboard – spans the full width of the screen when oriented in landscape mode. Little chance of fat fingers causing typos on that one, by the look of things.
• “It’s a big bezel, isn’t it?” says PC Pro deputy editor, David Fearon. He’s not wrong. Very thick black frame around the edge of the screen.
• iPad looks like a giant iPhone. Jobs demonstrating web surfing, maps, HD video playback, email, calendar – all the stuff you’ve got on your iPhone, except about five times the size
• And tho it appears – the iPad. Looks about A4-sized at first glance of Jobs holding it aloft.
• Jobs talks of a device designed for surfing web, playing games, browsing photos and video, reading eBooks. Wonder what he could mean?
• Steve Jobs appears on stage – bang on time. The tablet must have a clock. Says Apple will be launching a “magical” product later – but other stuff first.