first product generation of the iPad brand by Apple

With its color graphics, the Apple II had changed the world of personal computing. With its graphical interface and mouse, the Macintosh had further changed the computing world. With its massive storage and ease of use, the iPod had changed the MP3 market. With its touchscreen, the iPhone had changed the smartphone market. And then came the iPad.

With its Newton MessagePad, Apple had already pioneered the PDA (personal digital assistant), but the iPad was going to be a huge leap forward from Newton, iPhone, and iPod touch. It’s 9.7″ 1024 x 768 pixel display would make sure of that.

The iPad ran the same iOS version as the iPhone and iPod touch, and most iPhone apps ran just fine on the iPad, albeit in pixel-doubled mode, which looked primitive. This was mostly a stopgap until developers could update their apps to work with the iPad’s much larger display.

Specs (via Low End Mac)

• Announced: 2010.01.27, on sale 2010.04.03 at $499 (16 GB, $599 (32 GB), and $699 (64 GB). $130 additional for 3G wireless version.
• Cpu: 1 GHz Apple A4
• Ram: 256 MB
• Display: 9.7″ 1024 x 768 pixel multitouch screen
• Code Name: K48
• Weight: 1.5 lb. (1.6 lb. for 3G version)
• Dimensions: 9.56″ x 7.47″ x 0.5″
• Included Accessories: USB 2.0 30-pin dock cable, 10W 2A power adapter
• Identifier: iPad1,1
• Model Numbers: WiFi only: A1219 GSM: A1337
• Wifi Only: A1219
• Gsm: A1337
• Architecture: 32-bit
• Audio Chip: Cirrus Logic CS4398
• Graphics Engine: PowerVR SGX535
• Camera: none
• Sensors: accelerometer, ambient light, compass
• I/O Port: 30-pin dock connector
• Wifi: 802.11a/b/g/n
• Bluetooth: 2.1+EDR
• Wireless Data: UTMS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz) GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
• Gps: WiFi-assisted GPS
• Battery: 25 Watt-hour lithium polymer
• Charge Time: about 4 hours (2 hour fast charge to 80% capacity)
• Battery Life: up to 10 hours
• Original Os: iOS 3.2
• Maximum Os: iOS 5.1.1
• Itunes Versions: iTunes 9.1 and later.
• Mac Os Required: OS X 10.5.8 or later
• Windows Versions Supported: 7, Vista, XP Home or Professional SP 3 or later