This week Apple announced the pending release of the iPad, a tablet device. In a similar concept to the Kindle, Apple is aiming the full colour device at the mobile user market. The device itself looks a lot like a large iTouch. Which is not a bad starting point as the popularity of it and the iPhone has been great.

There will be a 16GB, 32GB and 64GB version all with a 9.7 (diagonal) inch widescreen Multi-Touch display. The screen can achieve a resolution of 1024-by-768 pixels per inch. The battery will last up to ten hours depending on use.

There will be two options for connectivity as well. One with Wi-Fi and the other Wi-Fi and 3G.

Features

The iPad comes with what we expect from Apple, including:

• Safari Web Browser
• Mail
• Photos
• Video
• YouTube
• iPod App
• Itunes
• Maps
• Notes
• iBooks App - so now you can use it as a ebook reader.
• Calendar
• Contacts

And of course the Apple App Store.

I look forward to getting one. If you ever wanted an excuse to buy a Mac, then here it is. I see this becoming a more central part the home and educational life of ourselves and our children.