On Wednesday, January 27, 2009 Apple co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Steve Jobs announced the much-anticipated Apple tablet. During a company press conference CEO Steve Jobs introduced the iPad, a 9.7-inch tablet that mixes aspects of laptop computers and the popular iPhone.

"A third device has to be better at web browsing, email, photos, videos, music, games, and ebooks than a laptop or a smartphone," Jobs said. "Otherwise it has no reason for being."

The new device resembles a jumbo iPhone or iPod Touch, with a multitouch screen taking up almost all of its front side. Unlike standard desktop interfaces, the iPad revolves round apps, bite-sized programs running one at a time.

Announced apps include:

* YouTube, for standard or HD movies.
* iBooks, a full-color e-reader with supporting download store.
* Word processing and spreadsheet iWork programs, similar to Microsoft Office.
* The iTunes store, which allows users to download music, games, and movies.
* iPad will also run all iPhone and iPod Touch apps, in either their original size or blown up to fit the tablet’s larger screen.



Additionally, there will be six different iPad models, each price depending on hard drive size and wireless settings. A 16GB iPad will cost about $499, 32GB will be $599 and the largest size 64GB version will go for $699. All models include Wi-Fi Internet Access – and 3G mobile antennas can be added for an extra $130.

Just as with the iPhone, mobile carrier AT&T will provide the iPad’s 3G service. The company will charge $14.99 a month for up to 250MB of data. An unlimited mobile data plan will cose $29.99 a month. Neither plan will require a contract.

The long-awaited iPad will ship in 60 days, with the 3G version arriving one moth later.

We will be posting the entire press conference shortly. Please stay tuned for continuing coverage of the Apple iPad.