If you have no idea what the fuss is all about concerning the iPad, don’t fret. iPad For Dummies can help you learn about and get the most out of your iPad in case you decide to buy one. Here is an abridged version of some of the information you can find in this useful guide:
iPad For Dummies
The iPad is a tablet computer designed and marketed by Apple Inc. The device was introduced in in 2010 after months of rumors and speculation throughout the computing tech industry. Many believed Apple was taking a significant gamble on a product that did not have a clear niche to fill in consumer computing.
Prior to release, technology analysts were skeptical of the iPad’s potential. They wondered if the average consumer really needed another device. At home, people were using desktops and turning to smartphones for computing on the go. Where was the place for a tablet computer? If people really needed to haul around a computer, they used portable laptops such as Apple’s own Macbook Air. Citing these reasons, the iPad was deemed to be destined for failure. Boy, was that wrong.
Not only has the iPad been a success, it has created an entire new industry in computing. Tablet computers existed prior to the iPad (Apple actually released a tablet computer back in 1993 called the Newton MessagePad 100) but they were not nearly as ubiquitous as the iPad would make them. Whether the iPad’s success is a result of it filling a genuine consumer need or just savvy Apple marketing is a matter of debate — what is not is its impact on the world of consumer gadgets.
iPad Specs
The first iPad came in two versions: one with wi-fi only connectivity and another with both wi-fi and 3G service. The 3G version was a surprise to many in that it did not require a contract. Rather, service was provided and billed for on a by-monthly basis. Visually, the iPad looks like a giant iPhone. It runs the same iOS software as Apple’s popular iPhone and iPod, but with a more powerful processor. The touch screen boasts a 1024 by 768 pixle liquid crystal display that is both fingerprint and scratch resistant. Also like the iPhone, the iPad has an ambient light sensor which adjusts the screen’s brightness in accordance to surrounding ambient light, and a 3-axis gyroscope for detecting the device’s orientation. The popular iOS App Store is also available on the iPad and has several apps that are designed to take full advantage of its larger screen.
Changes in the iPad 2
The second iPad, dubbed the iPad 2, brought forth several aesthetic and utility enhancements. In terms of design, the device was noticeably thinner and lighter. Disappointingly, however, it did not adapt the iPhone 4′s retina display.
The iPad 2 boasts a much faster processor, the A5 chip, then it’s predecessor. Memory is also upgraded to 512 MB. One of the more exciting upgrades was the addition of a rear and front facing camera — something that was altogether missing from the original iPad.
iPad For Dummies – The Conclusion
To learn more about the iPad, get a hold of iPad For Dummies, available as an e-Book or hardcopy.
