Apple unveils the iPad

Putting an end to months of speculation, Apple yesterday unveiled its new tablet device, the iPad.  Presented by CEO Steve Jobs at a launch in San Francisco yesterday, the iPad resembles a giant version of the iPhone and runs most of the 140,000 iPhone software applicationsÔÇöprograms that allow the user to perform tasks by touching the screen. The iPad, which will costs between $499 and $829, will be available to consumers in 60 days. The device, which aims to plug the gap between smartphones and laptops, can be used to watch movies, play games and browse the web. Cupertino, California-based Apple has also signed deals with book publishers, to allow e-books to be downloaded directly to the device through a new iBook Store, with which the company hopes to revolutionize the publishing world. The iPad is being viewed as direct competition to AmazonÔÇÖs Kindle e-reader in this respect. ÔÇ£iPad is our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price,ÔÇØ said Steve Jobs, AppleÔÇÖs CEO. ÔÇ£iPad creates and defines an entirely new category of devices that will connect users with their apps and content in a much more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before.ÔÇØ The iPad is not, however, the first touch-screen tablet computer on the market. Earlier this month, manufacturers such as Dell and HP unveiled similar devices at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. Some industry experts have expressed doubts that consumers really want another category of device alongside laptops, smartphones and netbooks. Jobs said that international prices for the iPad would be in place by July. Buyers of the versions with 3G connectivity will need to sign up to a data plan with a telecoms provider. Apple's US carrier AT&T said it will be offering subscriptions on a monthly rather than annual basis. All the 3G models are unlocked, meaning they will work with any network. Founded in 1976, Apple has about 35,000 employees worldwide and had worldwide annual sales of $42.91 billion in its fiscal year ending September 26, 2009. The launch follows news earlier this week that Apple had increased its earnings by 50 percent over the past 12 months.