It's Official: The Apple iPad is unveiled

Well, it's finally here. Following months and months (and months) of speculation, Apple has finally drawn back the curtain on its tablet computing device. Called the iPad, it more closely resembles an iPhone or an iPod touch on steroids than a full-fledged tablet computer like the ones discussed in our report on ultraportable laptops. But just because it's a better companion for fun than it is for serious work doesn't mean that people won't line up for blocks to buy an iPad once it goes on sale in late March. Or does it?

From the announcement, the iPad is all about getting media into the hands of consumers in a form that's lighter than a laptop but more usable than a personal media player or smartphone. Weighing roughly 1.5 pounds and measuring around a half-inch thick, the iPad has a 9.7-inch touch-sensitive screen similar in function to the iPhone and iPod touch. Wi-Fi connectivity is standard, with 3G available as an extra-cost option. Once connected to the internet, the iPad is able to display most web pages exactly as they would appear using a laptop, with the one significant caveat being an apparent lack of support for Adobe Flash. A nearly full-sized virtual keyboard appears to make typing notes and emails relatively easy.

There's tons of functionality built in, including the expected applications email, web surfing, photo viewing, a calendar, an address book and more. As with the iPhone and iPod touch, apps for YouTube and, of course, iTunes are also standard. The hardware itself includes a microphone, speaker and compass, but no camera. iPads with 16 GB, 32 GB and 64 GB of storage will be offered.

In addition, virtually all existing iPhone apps will work on the iPad, with the option to run full-screen or in a box. Additional apps introduced at Apples media event that are drawing attention include iBook, which turns the iPad into an eBook reader like Amazon.com's Kindle; of course, Apple will rely on its own eBook store for titles. Content partners include several major book publishers as well as The New York Times. Gamers are another iPad target audience, with titles on the way from developers such as Electronic Arts.

As for cost, the iPad certainly isn't cheap, but it's also not quite as expensive as some industry watchers had feared and speculated. If you don't require 3G connectivity, you'll be able to pick up a 16 GB iPad for $499. The 3G version, which will go on sale in late April, will tack an extra $130 on to that (for a total of $629). The most expensive iPad is the 64 GB version with 3G, which is priced at $829.