Join Rene, Dieter, Mickey, and Chad for all of today’s iPad announcement highlights (and lowlights) and what it all means for the iPhone! If you have any questions, leave a comment below, hit us up on Twitter @theiphoneblog, or better still — join us live in the chat room via http://www.tipb.com/live

REMINDER: You can watch us live on your iPhone with the Ustream Viewer app [Free - iTunes link]. Just wait until the show starts (8pm ET) and search for iPhone. We’ll pop up. Literally.

Chat with you soon!

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iPhone Live! Tonight at 8pm ET/5pm PT (1am GMT)

While Apple’s current generation iPhone 3GS and iPod touch G3 use ARM Cortex A8 CPUs and PowerVR SGX GPUs chips from Samsung, as part of their iPad announcement today, Apple also announced their own chip — the Apple A4.

Custom chipsets have been on Apple’s agenda since they bought PA Semi (Palo Alto Semiconductor) and Steve Jobs flat out said they’d be used in future Apple mobile devices. That future, it seems, starts now.

Battery life — 10hrs for the iPad — was stated as a prime reason for going with a custom chip. As is typical for Apple, they didn’t give any details (and likely the reason they’re making their own chips is so that they can keep those sorts of things secret from the competition), but since they’re rumored to be a massive ARM licensee, and owns part of PowerVR maker Imagine, we’re going to go out on a limb and guess those are still the CPU and GPU respectively.

How much RAM lurks inside the iPad, Apple also didn’t say, and since we only found out the iPhone 3GS has 256MB was after the tear-downs, we’ll likely have to wait on those for the iPad as well.

Of course, TiPb’s mind immediately turns to the chances of having an Apple A4, or similar chip, in the 4th generation iPhone and iPod touch. Combine that with 512MB or more of RAM, a Cortex A9 multicore CPU, latest PowerVR SGX GPU, and little PA-Semi magic and… who knows how interesting 2010 will become!

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

iPad Also Debuts Apple A4 Custom-built System-on-a-Chip

For the spec fiends among us, Apple has posted up almost every little number you’d ever want to know about their new iPad tablet (except, of course, what silicon is powering it on the inside — that’ll have to wait for the inevitable tear down.

We’ll take a look, after the break!

• Height: 9.56 inches (242.8 mm)
• Width: 7.47 inches (189.7 mm)
• Depth: 0.5 inch (13.4 mm)
• Weight: 1.5 pounds (.68 kg) Wi-Fi model; 1.6 pounds (.73 kg) Wi-Fi + 3G model

Sounds a tad heavy to us, certainly heavier than the Kindle. Will we be happy lugging it around? Reading it while lying in bed?

• 9.7-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen Multi-Touch display with IPS technology
• 1024-by-768-pixel resolution at 132 pixels per inch (ppi)
• Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
• Support for display of multiple languages and characters simultaneously

We’re happy with the 720p+, but what’s with the old school 4:3 aspect ratio? 1280 wide was a non-starter, or like the phatty nano, something that gets changed with the next version? IPS is the phenomenal LED panel technology used on the new iMac, which means great viewing angles.

• Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n)
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR technology
• Wi-Fi + 3G model
• UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz)
• GSM/EDGE (850, 900,1800, 1900 MHz)

802.11n is steller, and although BT 2.1 feels old, we’re happy it will support BT keyboards (and want that in the iPhone!). The 3G bands means no T-Mobile US or Wind Canada except on EDGE.

• Digital compass
• Assisted GPS (Wi-Fi + 3G model)

Digital compass is a must for Augmented Reality, and it’s great to see both in the Wi-Fi only model. iPod touch should have gotten that in the G3 last September. Sorry, no gyro!

• 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB flash drive

This feels a little on the lean side to us. Since an iPod touch G3 can already hit 64GB, we were hoping for a 128GB option.

• 1GHz Apple A4 custom-designed, high-performance, low-power system-on-a-chip

Here we go! Apple’s own, home-grown PA Semi-spun silicon. We’re guessing it has an ARM Cortex A8 (it’s a tad early for 9) inside there, but is it using the PowerVR SGX like the iPhone 3GS, or something beefier? Also, as expected, no details on RAM but we’d hope for 512MB+ (hopefully 1GB!)

• Accelerometer
• Ambient light sensor

Same as iPhone and iPod touch

• Frequency response: 20Hz to 20,000Hz
• Audio formats supported: AAC (16 to 320 Kbps), Protected AAC (from iTunes Store), MP3 (16 to 320 Kbps), MP3 VBR, Audible (formats 2, 3, and 4), Apple Lossless, AIFF, and WAV
• User-configurable maximum volume limit
• Support for 1024 x 768 with Dock Connector to VGA adapter; 576p and 480p with Apple Composite – A/V Cable, 576i and 480i with Apple Composite A/V Cable
• H.264 video up to 720p, 30 frames per second, Main Profile level 3.1 with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats; MPEG-4 video, up to 2.5 Mbps, 640 by 480 pixels, 30 frames per second, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps, 48kHz, stereo audio in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats

Also similar to iPhone/iPod touch, including the A/V cables. We’d hoped for an HDMI cable as well, as it’s interesting if anachronistic to note the mention of Dock Connector to VGA adapter.

• Viewable document types: .jpg, .tiff, .gif (images); .doc and .docx (Microsoft Word); .htm and .html (web pages); .key (Keynote); .numbers (Numbers); .pages (Pages); .pdf (Preview and Adobe Acrobat); .ppt and .pptx (Microsoft PowerPoint); .txt (text); .rtf (rich text format); .vcf (contact information); .xls and .xlsx (Microsoft Excel)

Nothing new here either that we can tell. Selfishly, we’d like PSD added to the QuickView list.

• Support for playback of closed-captioned content
• VoiceOver screen reader
• Full-screen zoom magnification
• White on black
• Mono audio

Kudos to Apple for continuing the accessibility features, let’s hope more content takes advantage of closed captioning and iPhone OS specific abilities!

• Built-in 25Whr rechargeable lithium-polymer battery
• Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi-Fi, watching video, or listening to music
• Charging via power adapter or USB to computer system

10 hours, given the size of the screen, is very nice.

• Dock connector
• 3.5-mm stereo headphone jack
• Built-in speakers
• Microphone
• SIM card tray (Wi-Fi + 3G model only)

Yeah, but it’s a micro-SIM card, which means you can’t just take out your iPhone SIM and put it in the iPad. (Which may be the carrier’s intention).

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Apple iPad Tablet — the Complete Specs and TiPb’s Take on Them

TiPb hasn’t had a chance to get any hands-on time with the no-longer mythical Apple iPad, announced today, but that doesn’t mean we can’t live vicariously through the awesome power of the interwebs. What does TiPb think? If you call the iPad a big iPod touch, you’re right. If you think that’s a bad thing, you’re nuts fully justified, but we see it as a huge positive, if only a first step. Removing the constraints imposed by a small screen? Yeah, the iPhone OS is just getting started. Apple is legitimately excited about this, and that means iPhone OS, and iPhones are going to benefit. Love. Up.

Now here’s a quick rundown of some of the coolest bloggers in the sphere (in alphabetical order), and what they think of the iPad.

• 9to5mac hands-on and video
• Ars Technica hands-on and gallery
• Engadget Hands-on with video
• Gizmodo hands-on and video
• iLounge video walkthrough
• SlashGear hands-on and video

Give them a read and let us know if they change any of your opinions!

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

iPad Hands-on Round Up — Who’s touched where and what they think!

Apple showed off a ton of iPad goodness today, but despite the accessories, Wifi and 3G options (unlocked GSM), new iWork suite, iBooks app, and the ability to run iPhone apps, there were a few things we didn’t get:

• Camera. Back, front-facing, or otherwise. There was no camera shown off and none visible. While this fits the “big apps iPod touch” metaphor, and allows Apple to do the typical “start limited, add functionality over time” strategy, we still wanted one now.
• Multitasking. Apple only showed one iPhone app or iPad app running at once. We’ve heard it’s running iPhone OS 3.2, and multitasking might be an iPhone (and iPad) OS 4.0 feature, but again, we wanted to see it now.
• Notifications. Did Apple show any form of notifications for email, apps, or otherwise? (Badges aside)? Again, we’re hoping a better version is coming with 4.0.
• Textbooks. We saw the New York Times app, we saw iBooks for novels, but we didn’t see the much-talked-about textbooks… yet. (We’re guessing they’re coming soon though.)
• Verizon. Only GSM/HSPA networking was announced. No CDMA, which would be required for Verizon to support the models shown off so far.
• TV Subscriptions. While print media is jumping all over themselves to get on the iPad, TV continues to show nothing approaching forward thinking. Not surprised, but hope that changes.
• Complex multitouch gestures. So far, the multitouch gestures look like the ones on the iPhone, no swipe 3 fingers and twist in a circle to launch a document. Phew.
• Tethering. No word on whether the WiFi only version of the iPad will tether to your existing iPhone (which would be nice), or if the 3G iPad will allow you to tether another device (we won’t hold our breath).
• HDMI out. Where’s our big fat video out cable so we don’t need an Apple TV?

Anything else? We’re not talking just the crazy rumors that didn’t pan out — unobtainium shells and facial recognition — but core functionality and features that would have made sense but just didn’t get included. If you have something to add, let us know!

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

iPad — What We Didn’t Get: Multitasking, Notifications, TV Subscriptions, Camera, Tethering, Textbooks

Though we heard persistent rumors that the iPhone would tag along for the iPad ride, neither iPhone 3.2, iPhone 4.0, or anything concerning an iPhone on Verizon were mention during the “Come see our latest creation” event.

Which, we guess, stands to reason if Apple wanted to shine the HUGE spotlight on what they hope will be their 4th business — the tablet.

It does make us wonder, however, if we’ll be seeing Apple’s traditional (for the last two years at least) iPhone 4.0 Sneak Peak event in March?

Is that why we didn’t see any multitasking or notifications during the iPad demo? No word on… Verizon? Let the rumors commence!

(What, you thought you’d get a break?)

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

No iPhone at Apple iPad Event. Start Rumors for iPhone 4.0, Verizon in March?

Ok, quick take: what do you think of the iPad? Is it truly the “third category” between your laptop and your iPhone? It is overblown, overpriced, and overhyped? Or is it like the iPod: something most people thought was “kind of neat” at first, but which ended up revolutionizing the consumer industry?

Vote below, but more importantly, expand in the comments: mind blown?

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

What Do You Think of the iPad?

Apple.com is now showing off the iPad, and http://www.apple.com/ipad is now live.

Along with the usual Features, Design, App Store, Gallery, Tech Specs, and Pricing, and Notify Me links, there’s a video up showing designer Jonathan Ive, software head Scott Forstall, and others talking up the device.

Check it out and let us know what you think!

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Apple.com/ipad Live! Brings Video Along With it!

Not content with simply introducing a new iPad device, Steve Jobs has announced some accessories to go along with it including:

[Updated with pricing via Ars]

• $39 Standard dock, nothing to see here!
• $69 Dock connected to an Apple keyboard (can iPhone has one?)
• Apple’s Bluetooth Keyboard will also work with iPad (again, iPhone please?)
• $39 case with a cover that can be flipped over like a stand for typing or viewing (two angles)
• A cable for use with projectors (iWork intended).
• A camera kit to download photos to iPad over USB

We’re hoping for a nice fat video out cable as well, okay Apple?

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

Apple iPad Accessories and Pricing: Keyboard Dock, BT Keyboard, Camera Kit, Standard Dock, Case, Projector Cable

Apple has announced pricing for their new iPad tablet device, and it comes in two flavors, WiFi 802.11n only, and 3G enabled (via AT&T in the US).

WiFi-Only Pricing

• $499 16GB
• $599 32GB
• $699 64GB

3G-enabled Pricing

• $629 16GB
• $729 32GB
• $829 64GB

Wifi version will be available in 60 days, 3G version in 90 days.

[Image via GDGT]

This is a story by the iPhone Blog. This feed is sponsored by The iPhone Blog Store.

iPad Pricing — Wifi Only $499, $599, $699, 3G $629, $729, $829