Apple has ended weeks of speculation with the launch of its iPad, a device it claims bridges the gap between the laptop and the smartphone.
At the press conference in California, Apple's CEO Steve Jobs revealed the slim, lightweight, touch-screen iPad - which can browse the web, play videos, send emails and read e-books.
Prices start from 499 US dollars (£309) for the lowest spec 16GB WiFi only model. A top-of-the-range 64GB version, boasting 3G mobile connectivity, costs 829 dollars (£513).
Using its 9.7 inch multi-touch display the iPad - resembling a larger version of Apple's popular iPhone - does not feature a traditional keyboard. Instead users can type on a full Qwerty keypad that appears on the display.
The ultra-slim iPad is just 1.25cm thick and weighs 1.5lbs. However, despite its tiny proportions it still boasts a 1GHz Apple processor, speaker, microphone, accelerometer, compass and a battery life of 10 hours.
The iPad also allows Apple to enter the electronic publishing market, supported by leading publishers including Penguin, Macmillan and Harper Collins. The new iBook store enables users to download novels and textbooks directly to their iPad in the same way music is downloaded from iTunes.
Because the iPad can run any of the iPhone's many apps - downloaded in their billions from the iTunes store - Scott Forstall, from Apple's apps division, predicted a "gold rush" for software developers cashing in on the new device's potential. The iPad comes preloaded with 12 applications - which are, in essence, multitouch adaptations of existing Mac software.
The hype and speculation in the run up to the iPad's launch created an internet sensation. However, after the unveiling some technology journalists at the event in San Francisco admitted feeling slightly deflated. Tom Dunmore, consulting editor of technology magazine Stuff, said: "Overall... nothing more than expected - a bit disappointing, if anything."
However, other commentators were more impressed. Neil McHugh, co-founder of www.rightmobilephone.co.uk said: "Today's announcement of Apple's iPad is what we believe to be the first in a new wave of communication devices that can successfully combine the role of the mobile phone and laptop. It is too early to judge the success or uptake of the iPad, but Apple have again shown themselves to be market leaders, leaving other manufacturers a step behind."
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Apple said the WiFi model will be available within the next two months, with the 3G model on the market around one month later.
