iPad - Features, Accessories, Costs and more

The iPad is an electronic device in a notebook form that is used through touch screen technology with a keypad found on the screen itself. Developed by Apple Inc and officially launched in 2010, the iPad has been a total success worldwide based on fiscal quarter of the company and a sale of more than 15 million first generation iPads. The device has a large screen with a finger print and scratch resistant glass and internet connectivity via wifi or 3G technology. For management and syncing purposes, iTune is used. The same operating system as that of the iPhone is used (the iPad was designed before the iPhone but launched later on given that the market for iPhones was quite vast) and the same applications can be run; unless modified, the iPad runs only the applications built in by Apple.

Redesigned with changes for user friendliness, the 2nd generation iPad has been launched since March 2011 in the United States as well as numerous countries. The new iPad is 33% thinner and up to 15% lighter for the ease of the user such that you don’t even realise that you have a notebook in hand. The smart cover makes your iPad the best thing around whether you want to hold it in your hands for emailing or prop it up for games. Lifting the top up switches on your iPad and flipping it back causes the iPad to go in sleep mode and the gadget is available in 10 different colours.
The device provides for high definition quality imaging making watching movies a very vivid and real experience. It can be viewed from a 360° angle, so whichever way you want to turn, left, right, upside down, the iPad adjusts to the rotation. Moreover, using IPS (in plane switching) technology, it provides amazing quality imaging from up to an angle of 178°. With the touch screen technology, every single movement you make on the screen is transformed into electrical signals thus commanding your actions.

The operating system is that of iOS4, the operating system designed by Apple for its devices and upgraded for the iPad. It supports all usual applications such as ibooks, safari, movies, videos, games, maps, youtube, notes, calendar and more. With a dual core A5 Chip, it is very fast and very easy to use: press the home button and you can browse through your iPad in no time at all. Graphics too have been upgraded for the game nuts with high quality imaging. The iPad has a 10 hour life battery for you to fully enjoy wherever you may be.
There are two cameras, one at the front, one at the back for real pro photo shooting/video making as well as FaceTime video calling where you can see your friend and vice versa and switch cameras instantly for more real conversations as if you’re right together. With airplay, you can listen to your favourite tunes or watch your favourite movies by connecting your iPad to your high definition TV via a cable; you can also show the contents of your iPad through the same means. With wifi technology, you can get a hard copy of what you need right from your iPad using Airprint where everything can be printed wirelessly.

Accessories
The Apple digital AV Adapter is used for mirroring your iPad on a TV screen. There is no need at all to worry about your iPad running out of charge during this process as there is a built in 30 pin connector for this purpose. You can get your photos off directly from your camera using a camera connector or an SD Card Reader. With the iPad 2 dock, you can prop up your iPad for recharging or connect to a stereo to listen to your songs. If you are not at ease with typing with the built in keypad, you can get a wireless Apple keyboard. Other paraphernalia include earphones/headsets, TV adapter, AV cable and a 10 W USB power adapter for recharging directly from a power source.

Prices
IPads can be bought at local hardware stores and iShops in Mauritius; prices are as follows based on the storage capacity and internet connectivity:

16GB + wifi – Rs27,300
16GB + wifi + 3G – Rs39,000
32GB + wifi – Rs31,500
32GB + wifi + 3G – Rs43,500
64GB + wifi – Rs34,500
64GB + wifi + 3G – Rs46,500