Apple Launch the i-Pad

Apple founder Steve Jobs launched the i-Pad, the latest attempt to make a success of the Tablet computer market.

During the iPad launch, Apple said that it had recently sold its 250 millionth iPod.
One analyst predicted future sales of the iPod will be cannibalised by those of the iPad.

Apple's rivals Microsoft had a rare product failure in this category with a Tablet Computer that didn't catch on in 2001.

Apple said its aim was to try to create a third category of product that sits between a laptop and a smartphone, which is the traditional interpretation of a tablet computer.

There are some issues with the iPad. It does not support multi-tasking, the ability to have more than one application open at any one time. It doesn't have a camera nor support Flash, the ubiquitous software that handles video and animation on the web.

Some believe the lack of a camera is to keep the price low and afordable to less of a nice market and more of a mass market.

A 32GB iPad will cost $599 (£376) and a 64GB will cost $699 (£439).

However, Apple has given no hint about exact UK prices and final costs may be higher.

Polymath Stephen Fry is raving about the new gadget . He was at the launch and had a trial of the iPad. He said he would like to run away with it!

So will we be talking about the iPad in the same way the iPod and to a lesser extent the iPhone have fired our imaginations?

Remember, for a brilliant example of how to pitch your product, look up Steve Jobs iPod launch for his incredible presentation. I show this to classes every year as he not only introduces the product but he explains how and why they found and satisfied the gap in the market. It is truly brilliant!

You can watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kN0SVBCJqLs. It is on You Tube so you may not be able to access it in school, but it is worth the wait when you get home!