The Apple iPad was one of the most speculated about devices over the past year, and will impact the eReader market even though it's not optimized for that purpose. It was finally launched with much fanfare on 26 January after months of very vague rumors. The device is at least as much a mobile web browser/netbook as an eReader, not surprising as Steve Jobs once said he had no interest in creating an eReader as "people don't read."
Of course, the main disadvantage of any color LCD touchscreen (and this one is described as having a glossy finish) will be poorer legibility and contrast compared to e-ink displays, which you can read all day day without eyestrain. Apple notes the touchscreen has a fingerprint resistant oleophobic coating, and we're curious to see how it stands up to heavy use. Resolution is certainly good, but is only 132 pixels per inch compared to the 166 or more common to nearly all e-ink based eReaders.
Battery life is listed as "up to 10 hours," pretty good for an LCD device, but pales compared to e-ink readers which have battery life measured in weeks. Even if the display is not ideal, we're sure many people will buy an iPad, simply because of the Apple cachet, and it will undoubtedly shake up the eReader market.
That said, this device will have some very useful additional capabilities, besides a full web browser. It comes preloaded with twelve applications - essentially multi-touch versions of existing Mac software such as iPhoto and will work with roughly 140,000 applications already out for the iPhone. But it should not be mistaken for a fully functional laptop--for instance it does not allow multitasking, you can have one window or application up at one time. It also lacks a camera as well as Flash support, which controls much of the web's video and animation content.
Connecting: There are two versions for connecting--a WiFi (the newer n type) version as well as a 3G mobile broadband connection. It can also connect to a PC and charge via a USB 2.0 cord. The 3G monthly pricing plans haven't been definitively announced, but we understand there will be an iPad plan with AT&T for a reasonable $14.99 per month for 250MB and $29.99 for unlimited data. It will also have Bluetooth 2.1, allowing connection to wireless headphone and keyboards.
Of note for the eReader market is the launch of iBooks, Apple's new online book store with which they hope to revolutionize the publishing world in the same way as iTunes transformed the music industry. During the Apple news conference, publishers Penguin, Harper Collins, Simon and Schuster, and Macmillan were announced as iBook partners, but there are many other big players like Sholastic (of Harry Potter book fame) and Random House. We don't have a word on pricing, but the few examples that could be seen in the initial iPad demo showed a bestseller selling for $14.99, significantly more than the Kindle's $9.99 ebook price on Amazon.
Accessories: The iPad will include the USB 2.0 cord to connect and charge as mentioned, as well as an AC power cord and documentation. One interesting accessory is a full-size keyboard dock. There are also camera connection kits and additional power adapters for purchase.
Price: The iPad WiFi model costs $499 for the 16GB model (or $599 for 32 GB and $699 for 64GB) and ships from late March, while the 3G model will ship from April for $629 for the 16 GB model, $729 for the 32 GB model, and $829 for the 64 GB model. There is as yet no word on international pricing or wireless options, which is expected in June or July.
The iPad, with its glossy LCD touchscreen, is not the ideal ebook reading device but it will be good enough at that function for many.
eBook Reader Basics