Apple iPad
iPad is a line of tablet computers designed and marketed by
Apple Inc., which runs Apple's iOS. The first iPad was released on April 3,
2010; the most recent iPad models, the iPad Air and second generation iPad
Mini, were revealed on October 22, 2013 and will go on sale November 1, 2013
and late November, respectively. The user interface is built around the
device's multi-touch screen, including a virtual keyboard. The iPad has
built-in Wi-Fi and, on some models, cellular connectivity.
An iPad can shoot video, take photos, play music, and
perform Internet functions such as web-browsing and emailing. Other
functions—games, reference, GPS navigation, social networking, etc.—can be
enabled by downloading and installing apps. As of October 2013, the App Store
has more than 475,000 native apps by Apple and third parties.
There have been five versions of the iPad. The first
generation established design precedents, such as the 9.7-inch screen size and
button placement, that have persisted through all models. The iPad 2 added a
dual core Apple A5 processor and VGA front-facing and 720p rear-facing cameras
designed for FaceTime video calling. The third generation added a Retina
Display, the new Apple A5X processor with a quad-core graphics processor, a
5-megapixel camera, HD 1080p video recording, voice dictation, and 4G (LTE).
The fourth generation added the Apple A6X processor and replaces the 30-pin
connector with an all-digital Lightning connector. The iPad Air added the Apple
A7 processor and reduced the form factor for the first time since the iPad 2.
iOS 6 added Siri to the third and fourth generations and the iPad Mini.
There have been two versions of the iPad Mini. The first
generation features a reduced screen size of 7.9 inches, in contrast to the
standard 9.7 inches, and features similar internal specifications as the iPad
2. It also uses the new "Lightning" connector. The second generation
features the Retina Display and the Apple A7 processor, matching the internals
of the iPad Air.
