The April 3rd date was chosen by Apple apparently due to the need of giving the iPad software the final touches. John Gruber, usually a reliable source, says that the specialists from Canaccord Adams believe that the current problem for Apple is how to polish the iPhone 3.2 and the corresponding applications in time for the release.

Apple has increased the efforts for the iPad software, with 3 iPhone 3.2 SDK beta released from the day of the first presentation (end of January). Contrarily to some Android tablets announced in January, the most part of the iPad software is specifically optimized for bigger displays (9.7″) instead of a dynamic resizing. That would explain the time needed by Apple to release the product.

Apple has announced the prices and availability dates for the iPad. Apple’s new device will be available in the USA from April 3rd for the Wi-Fi models, and by the end of April for the Wi-Fi + 3G models. All the iPad models will be available in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK by the end of April as well.

From next March 12th on, USA clients will be able to pre-order both models from Apple’s online store. It will be also possible to preorder a Wi-Fi model to be collected from an Apple Retail Store from April 3rd on.

The prices are as following:

USA:

• Wi-Fi Models: $499 for the 16GB model, $599 for the 32 GB model, $699 for the 64 GB model
• Wi-Fi + 3G (Available from the end of April): $699 for 16 GB, $729 for the 32 GB model and $829 for the 64 GB model.

For the other countries mentioned in the beginning of the article, the prices will be announced during the launch month, and the rest of the world will see the iPad in later months. iBooks, the application that includes Apple’s bookstore, will be available for free from App Store on April 3rd in the USA. It’ll be available for other countries during the year.

The guys from 9to5Mac.com have decided to give users a walkthrough for the iPad Safari, using an iPad Simulator. You’ll see some of the main features for it in the video, but one curiosity came about: instead of the usual blue lego-block to indicate the absence of Flash, there’s a white space. One has to think if it doesn’t mean that Adobe and Apple will finally work together to bring Flash to the Macs.

Enjoy the video!

During the presentation of the iPad done during Apple’s last conference more than a week ago, some of the people present were able to get their hands on the device to try it. We’ll present a hands-on video made during the conference in the end of this post.

We remind you that the iPad will only be available in March for the Wi-Fi version and April for the 3G version. Enjoy the video!

There’s a small aesthetic difference between the iPad WiFi and the one with 3G connectivity. The latter features a black plastic stripe that ca be found on the top of the device, going from the front to the back. The model Steve Jobs had at the conference was one of the base models. The black plastic stripe was indeed added to the 3G model in order to allow for the mobile data transfer.

At this point, we’ll have to see how the WiFi range will work, as the iPod Touch has the same type of plastic stripe that allows the signal to reach the internal antenna. But for that, we’ll have to wait until March for the WiFi version and after April for the 3G one.

Together with the iPad, Apple has presented a series of accessories made especially for the new device. They’re all manufactured by Apple, and here’s a brief description of them:

iPad Keyboard Dock

The iPad Keyboard Dock is a charging dock that features an integrated Apple keyboard. The dock allows users to recharge the iPad using an USB adaptor. Of course, the dock is also handy in synchronizing the device with the computer. The dock also features a port to be used with other accessories and an audio output for headphones or speakers.

iPad Case

The iPad Case is a very particular case for the iPad that can be shaped in different positions, other than protecting the iPad. It can become a rack, or simply raise the iPad a little.

iPad Dock

The iPad Dock is simply an iPad Keyboard Dock without the keyboard, of course. It has both the second connector and audio output.
iPad Camera Connection Kit

The Camera Connection Kit is made of two accessories that allow users to import video and pictures directly from a digital camera. The kit has one dock/USB adaptor and one SD card reader.

iPad USB Power Adapter

The 10W adapter allows the iPad to be charged directly from a electricity socket (without the need of the computer). The accessory comes with an extension.

The iPad will be available in two versions and three formats for a total of six different configurations. The Wi-Fi-only version has WiFi 802.11n connectivity and a Bluetooth 2.1 module. The 3G version has also a phone module with a slot for the GSM sims capable of 3G data connectivity.

All the iPad will come without operator or sim lock, but AT&T already has a monthly contract for the cost of $29. During June/July, other agreeements with different companies will be announced.

The prices: The iPad will cost $499 for the 16GB base version, $599 for the 32GB version and $699 for the 64GB version. For the 3G versions, the prices are $629, $729 and $829 for the 16GB, 32GB and 64GB versions respectively. The iPad Wi-Fi will be available in 60 days. The 3G version will be available in 90 days, around the end of April or the first week of May.

So Apple’s event held yesterday was indeed to present the iPad, the official name for the famous Apple tablet. Steve Jobs introduced it as the best device for data sharing: music, video, mail, pictures, games. It has iTunes with completely different graphics, thought out specifically for the new format. Also integrated is Youtube with their new HD format.

The device unlocks like the iPhone and integrates Safari in a more evolved version than the one present on the iPhone, although it does not feature Flash. All the known softwares have been enhanced in order to offer the best experience in a device this size. Mail is similar to the Mac OS X version, with a left column for details and the main mail window on the right.

The photo application interface is really interesting. Besides synchronizing automaticalyl with iPhoto, it’s completely multi-touch with many gestures that were studied in order to optimize the interaction. The iTunes interface is now expandable and it introduces a new mode called Pop Over, which allows users to view the information about the song being played.

Also the calendar application has been enhanced: new appointment viewing modes that are similar to the iCal from Mac OS X. The iPad also has an integrated Maps application (and although it does seem to be based on Google’s services, Steve Jobs didn’t mention it).

The device also allows users to buy movies, TV series, music videos and songs, and apparently it will also be possible to buy e-books directly from the e-book application. The device measures 5″ and its screen is a 9.7″ multi-touch display, like the iPhone, with 10 hours of battery duration. The processor was specifically designed for it, it’s called Apple A4 and it has 1GHz. It’ll be available in 16Gb, 32Gb and 64Gb versions, all of those with Wi-Fi 802.11n and Bluetooth. No mention to a GPS antenna just yet.

All the iPhone applications are completely compatible with the iPad without the need of adaptation. When the user buys an iPhone application, it is directly brought to the iPad as well. The developers will have a good piece of work if they want to, in order to adapt their application for such a large screen.

Here are some pictures and the official presentation video, found on the official iPad website. Enjoy!

Click on the thumbnail to view the full image

According to the Digitimes website, the rumors of the Mac Tablet are true and the product should be launched on the first trimester of 2010. We’ll still treat that as a rumor, of course, but the website has been quite accurate in the past, so we’ll have to see.

The confirmation has apparently come from Foxconn Electronics, which will be one of Apple’s manufacturing partners on this new venture. Foxconn has also released two new details: the first is about the number of units produced on this first wave: around 300.000-400.000. The second is about the display: a 10.6″.

We’ll have to wait and see.

An interesting rumor released by Gizmodo reinforces the previous rumors for the tablet Apple: the possibility of becoming the newest information pad on the market. Apparently, Apple would have contacted the New York Times, Oberlin Press and McGraw Hill to reach an agreement, so far. Those agreements would be based on the possibility of releasing contents (information and books) through iTunes and a new hardware. Seems very much like the tablet to me.

This fact would switch the attention of developers to a new, innovative information management, perhaps with ad-hoc solutions. Then, maybe, the new tablet could become the new reading iPod.