After years of rumors and speculation, Apple finally announced the long-awaited iPad officially. It is 0.5 inch thick and weighs 1.5 pounds with a 9.7-inch IPS display, described by Apple CEO Steve Jobs as "super high quality."

In total there will be six models: 16GB ($499), 32GB ($599), 64GB ($699), 16GB 3G ($629), 32GB 3G ($729), 65GB 3G ($829).

The WiFi only versions will be made available worldwide in late March while the 3G models will be on shelves in late April.

All iPhone applications, such as games, will be compatible with the iPad: playable in a boxed window or full-screen through upscaling.

A new iPhone SDK will be available from today on to give devs full advantage of the larger display.
For instance Gameloft's previously released iPhone shooter N.O.V.A. will be modified for the iPad.

Electronic Arts, with EA VP Travis Boatman describing the iPad as almost like holding a high-definition display inches from your face, will be releasing several titles for it as well, including Need for Speed: Shift.

[ It might be still too expensive to replace Netbooks, especially for writing work. And it's definitely too big for kids. -Alexastor ]

[This message has been edited by Alexastor (edited 01-27-2010 @ 05:10 PM).]