The iPad

Dedicated fans queued all night – again – for release of yet another Apple product. This time not the iPhone, it was of course the much anticipated iPad.

Not sure what the hype is about?

What the Apple iPad TV Ad.

Sydney Apple store

Apple Sydney (city) store have massive queues around the block – all wanting to be the first with an Australian iPad. Some had queued from 2am the previous morning.. in what would have been very cold and wet conditions.

Rahul Koduri began camping out more than 24 hours beforehand, was the first in line for the iPad release. “I could have pre-ordered but there’s a different feel to it when you line up outside an Apple store,” he told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Bondi Superstore

Completion of construction on the newly announced Apple super store at Bondi was under cloud yesterday. Would it even be finished in time? Of course… the official opening was 8am today, on the day of the iPad launch.  Not a surprise that Apple chose to capatilise on the iPad hysteria.

The lines there were a similar scene to the city store, with staff at the new store whipping everyone into an Apple frenzy.  It was perhaps disappointing, but not surprising, to hear that some journo’s jumped the line to be served first, who’d not been waiting long. We all know they can be a low form of life. At least there was no fisty-cuffs put up by those actually first in line. Although that would have raised more excitement in the non-Apple world…

With the iPad starting at $629 (eventhough it’s only US$499) – are you getting one?

It’s good to see that it has triggered better data plans from the telcos.  Hopefully a price war may ensue?

iPad data plans

Check out some of the data plans available for use with the iPad by clicking the links below.

Three iPad data plans:

Vodafone iPad data plans:

Check those out online.

iPad Accessories

We have iKlear Cleaning Kits to keep your iPad clean and shiny. We also have iHome portable speakers that are just perfect.

We’ll soon also be offering protective cases. Stay tuned for more info!

And of course there will be the world of Apple iPad accessories …

Well done Apple, for getting your iPad even more media coverage at the Grammys.

When Comedian Stephen Colbert was announcing the Grammy for Song of the Year (winner: Beyonce), he had supposedly forgotten the list of nominees.

Never mind, he could find them out by whipping out his shiny new iPad….

video: iPad at Grammy Awards

The Apple iPad has arrived

… well actually the Apple iPad has been announced, as mentioned yesterday - now Apple fans just have to wait…

• iPad has a 9.7″ hi-res LED backlit multi-touch display
• Coming in 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB capacities
• With or without 3G, and Wi-Fi, bluetooth connectivity
• Onboard iPod, accelerometer, microphone, speakers, 30-pin dock connector

Standard built-in apps are things like calendar, contacts, notes, mail, photos – as well as Safari, Google Maps & YouTube integration.

The iPad can run almost 140,000 apps from the iTunes App store, including the ones you’re already using on your iPhone (or iPod touch).  There will be iPad specific versions of iTunes and iWork available.  It can also support an external keyboard to make use easier.

As well, at the event, Jobs announced the new iBooks app (like Kindle on roids & the standard ePub format) which of course, has it’s own iBookstore – with content from the big guns like Penguin, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster etc.  iBooks available in the US only at this stage.

Also announced, was the iPhone OS 3.2 SDK for use with the iPad.

They will come unlocked, pre-paid*

• Wi-Fi models shipping in late March.
• 3G models shipping in April.
• *International pricing and carrier availability yet to be announced.

Any iPad downsides?

No multi-tasking… That’s right, still just the one app open at a time.

More iPad info

VIDEO: “The best way to experience the web, email and photos” Apple iPad demo video

Want to know when the iPad is available in Aus? Late May.. . Register your interest at the Apple store:

New Apple tablet to be announced

As usual, the Apple rumour mill has been running overtime of late.  Snippets of information and ideas have been circulating about the Apple tablet about to be released. Much like the iPhone or iPod touch but bigger, even running on an iPhone OS.

Well, they will be announcing “something exciting” at a media event in San Fran later today.  Jobs is reportedly the “most excited” he’s been in years, possibly since the arrival of the iPhone.

Further details are sketchy, including it’s name.  I think the name ‘iPad’ tends to have the closest association with the rest of the Apple products, but guess we’ll know tomorrow.  MacRumours even blogged about a tweet from a German retailer which has since been deleted, mentioning a name – and prices.

Stay tuned for more updates tomorrow….