10 THINGS YOU MUST KNOW ABOUT IPAD

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Over the iPad? Move along, there’s nothing to see here. If not, and you can’t get enough, jump right in.

The iPad reviews are still flowing out of the blogosphere with plenty of fresh and interesting commentary and analysis. In addition to the standard hardware reviews, many tech writers are also discussing the device’s implications for everyday life and computing.

Steve Jobs called the new Apple iPad a “magical and revolutionary device.” So is it? We’ve put together a guide to 13 things you need to know about the iPad. Love it or leave it? Check them out then tell us what you think!


Want to know more about the iPad? We’ve written an Apple iPad review that’ll give you the ultimate scoop on the device. Also check out our guide to The Top 10 worst things About The iPad. Here’s a list of 10 Apple iPad features you need to know:

1. iPad Apps

The iPad can run almost all the apps designed for the iPhone – currently, that’s about 140,000 apps, but developers no doubt have more coming soon. Apple also notes, “if you already have apps for your iPhone or iPod touch, you can sync them to iPad from your Mac or PC. Then run them in their original size, or expand them to fill the screen.”

2. No Camera

One of the biggest disappointments about the iPad was that it comes without a camera – no front camera, no back camera, and no video chatting. An odd oversight, this is one that has many fans stumped. The iPad could have been great for video calling.


3. Wi-Fi (And 3G)

Apple has a “breakthrough deal with AT&T” that will give iPad users 250 MB of data a month for $14.99, or unlimited data for $29.99. iPad users also have free access to AT&T WiFi hotspots–but the AT&T deal means they can’t get on just any 3G network they choose. Getting 3G connectivity on top of Wi-Fi will cost you. A Wi-Fi enabled iPad starts at $499 for a 16GB model ( $599 for 32GB, $699 for 64GB). An iPad that is both Wi-Fi and 3G enabled will cost more: $629 for 16GB, $729 for 32 GB, and $829 for 64 GB.

4. No GPS

Sorry, but it’s true. The iPad has an accelerometer for a great gaming experience, but no GPS. That means Google Maps is going to have to rely on 3G and/or Wi-Fi to locate the iPad. So much for replacing your smartphone.

5. Multitouch

There’s a reason why some have called the iPad an ‘oversized iPhone’: among other similarities with the iPhone (and Apple’s iPod touch) the iPad has a multitouch, touchscreen display. The iPad’s Touch capabilities promise to deliver a new, more interactive gaming experience: Gizmodo says, ‘Users can “interact with the game world in ways that weren’t possible before,” like sliding three fingers on the screen to interact with a door. You can also do motions like sliding two fingers across the screen to throw a grenade.’

6. News Navigation

The New York Times was Apple’s major media launch partner, but other magazine publications are expected to have digital editions ready for the iPad soon. The iPad aims to use an intuitive layout, design, and user interface to make it easier to browse the news digitally. Gizmodo noted during the demo of the NYTimes app at the iPad unveiling: “It’s very similar to the actual paper, but can skip around like on the iPhone version. The formatting is similar to a paper, and you can change the number of columns, resize text, flip through slideshows and go into landscape mode.

7. No Multitasking

You can only do one thing at a time on the iPad, just as with the iPhone. Sadly, this is one thing that netbooks have over the device. The lack of multitasking on the iPad has been cited as its biggest flaw. Want to listen to Pandora while you edit your photos? No such luck. For a device that aims to displace laptops and costs as much as the iPad does, the inability to run multiple applications at once is a major downside.

8. Standard-Sized Touch Keyboard

The iPad’s keyboard may be a huge disappointment to some because it resembles the one on the iPhone, which has drawn major complaints for users, only bigger. Early reviewers have noted that it can be awkward to type on the device. Already recognizing that users could take issue with the iPad’s keyboard, Apple plans to release a keyboard dock for the iPad which lets users type on a traditional keyboard, while charging their tablet.

9. Email And Web Browsing – Without Flash

Like on the iPhone, users can browse the web using Safari, and have full access to sending and receiving email. Note, however, that the iPad doesn’t support Flash. So many good websites use Adobe Flash that Apple’s ongoing stoush with the technology is becoming a big issue. This gadget screens websites in full size, but some still won’t show due to this omission.

10. Movies, TV, And Videos (And YouTube)

Users can browse and purchase video content using an iTunes-like interface, then watch their downloaded content on the iPad’s ”crisp and sharp” video display, which will play movies, TV shows, and other video in HD. It’s also possible to stream videos from YouTube on the device.

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