UPDATE 2: It just gets better, the iPad is fairly cost friendly: For $499, you get you 16 GB of storage, with WiFi built-in. For $599, you get 32 GB of storage. For $699, you get 64 GB of storage. The 3G models cost an extra $130 each.
UPDATE: Not so shockingly, the world’s best guess was right – Steve Jobs announced the long awaited Apple tablet computer today. Meet the iPad. It looks a lot like a big iPhone – the size of a standard sheet of paper and not all that thicker than the same. The interface will be pretty much the same as the iPhone, and Jobs promises that this will be the best internet browsing experience you’ve ever had.
Apple has something to tell us. As usual, they’ve created a flurry of whispers and fanfare around this morning’s announcement (10 a.m. PST) – rumor and conjure dashing around the internet like golden retrievers after a mouse. Is this the day that Apple reveals their long anticipated tablet? If it’s not, they’re going to have some ’splaining to do. With every major technology blogger and most of the traditional new sources speculating that this is the day we finally get to see the infamous new product, there will be a lot of disappoint Apple enthusiasts if they don’t get a peek. Of course, all Apple’s CEO will fess up to is that he plans to announce “a major new product that we’re really excited about.”
It seems like our chances are good though: The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday that Apple has been in last minute negotiations with various publishing groups (hardcover books will retail at 12.99 and 14.99 when the tablet becomes a reality). The New York Times has also been developing a version of itself for the new tablet, and Conde Nast and Hearst, major magazine publishers, are also on the band wagon. Even gaming companies like EA are prepared with new games for this sure to be popular new platform. The tablet will be 3G capible and run iPhone Apps.
The idea is to provide something that the whole family can share to read, check email, leave each other virtual stickie notes and more. Is this the final nail in the coffin on convincing kids to read, like, ever? Steve Jobs hopes not. He swears that, with the tablet, he’s hoping to help the old guard, protecting traditional media sources (ie, books) by giving them new distribution options. Given how much time kids spend in front of screens, perhaps a way to read books that fits into their new media routine is just the ticket.
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