Apple announces the iPad.

Apple on Wednesday unveiled its iPad, after years of rumors that the company was building a tablet-like device. Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduced the device today during a special media-only event, saying it is "way better than a laptop, way better than a phone. It's the best web experience you've ever had."

Jobs began the introduction by discussing what kind of device might fit between a smartphone and a laptop. "We've wondered for years as well—in order to create that category, they have to be far better at doing some key tasks... better than the laptop, better than the smartphone," Jobs said. "Now, some people thought that was a netbook—the problem is that netbooks aren't better than anything!"

Then Jobs brought out the iPad, which looks much like an oversized iPhone. It features an interface that is essentially a hybrid between Mac OS X and iPhone OS. In addition to browsing the Web, included applications also give users access to iTunes media, including HD video content, calendars, photos, contacts, and more. The built-in e-mail client also looks like a hybrid between Mail on the Mac and Mail on the iPhone. Text entry is done with a large, on-screen QWERTY keyboard, which seemed very responsive during Jobs' demo. Read More about the iPad.

Top stories: Jan 22 - 29, 2010

Infinite Loop Liveblog: Apple's "our newest creation" event by Ars Staff Apple's January 2010 event is today and we'll be liveblogging the details as they happen! Live coverage starts just before the event kicks off at 10am PT/1pm ET. Read More

Infinite Loop Insanely great? Ars reacts to the Apple iPad by Jon Stokes, John Timmer, Chris Foresman, Eric Bangeman, Nate Anderson, Ben Kuchera, Aurich Lawson, and John Siracusa  After a decade of waiting, the Apple tablet is finally here, and reactions across the Internet are mixed, to say the least. Sure, there's always a bit of widespread deflation after a launch with so much hype behind it; nonetheless, the range of attitudes toward the iPad goes from "it's a great tablet, but I'll have to wait and see about the 'revolution' part," to "I'm so disappointed that it's just a giant iPod touch." Missing is the near-universal "Apple has changed the game" sentiment that followed the launch of the iPhone. None of this is to say that the iPad won't fundamentally change the game. It's just that this launch is closer to that of the original iPod—the idea itself isn't exactly new, competing offerings seem arguably better in some respects, and Apple will have to set itself apart from the pack by delivering a superior user and e-commerce experience. In other words, the iPad isn't going to waltz in and just change the world the way that its smaller predecessor, the iPhone, did. It'll have to fight its way to the top, like the iPod. Read More

Infinite Loop Ars liveblog of Apple Q1 2010 earnings by Ars Staff Ars will be liveblogging Apple's Q1 2010 earnings conference call. Sign up here to get an alert when the liveblog starts later this afternoon. Read More

Infinite Loop Hands-on, first impressions, Photo gallery of Apple iPad by Jacqui Cheng We blogged the live event and we've put our hands all over the new iPad. Photos of the event and the device within. Read More

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