Apple's iPad: What You Need to Know Now

Apple announced it's new tablet computer in January and everyone's got questions. Here are the most important ones (for now) answered.

What Is It? The Apple tablet is called the iPad. "Quite simply it works like a hybrid between an iPhone and a full laptop," explains MTV Multiplayer. "Using the touch screen, you can browse the internet, use apps, listen to music, watch movies and play games. It won't be able to make calls, but given the size, that's probably for the best." The iPad will be able to run all iPhone apps; more interesting, says Yahoo! Tech, "is the potential for app developers to build apps that take advantage of the iPad's jumbo display." The iPad has the potential to become the go-to e-reader--Apple also announced the new iBooks app and the iBookstore, where readers can download digital titles from large publishers. This should make the "the Kindle and its once-rivals shake and shudder at their bezels," says Ubergizmo.

What's it missing? Apple has laid out the iPad's official specs on its website, but they're obviously not going to tell you what the iPad doesn't have. Mashable reveals what's missing: There's no camera, for example; no full GPS; no USB port; and no easy way to hook it up to a TV. iLounge mentions some of the device's other limitations--plus stuff it can do--in its Q&A with readers.

What does it cost? Engadget explains: "It starts at $499 for 16GB, 32GB for $599, and $699 64GB. Adding 3G costs a $130 per model, so the most expensive model (64GB / 3G) is $829." But, MarketBeat reports, Apple may drop prices if the iPad's sales aren't as high as expected.

When can I get one? "Late March" for the Wi-Fi models, says Apple, with 3G models shipping in April.

Is everyone else going to get one? Well, a lot of analysts say yes, predicting sales from 1 to 6 million this year (via ReadWriteWeb, who says "the collective opinion of the analyst industry is that Apple has a definite winner on their hands"). Then again, maybe some people will wait for iPad v. 2.0, which TechCrunch claims is "pretty far along...and this one may be much more like a Mac than an iPhone." If the iPhone serves as any guide, though, we're guessing you can expect to see a lot of iPads in your local Starbucks sometime this spring.