iPad preliminary review ““ Kindle and Nook beware

iPad

Although rumors indicate that the iPad will ship out for select reviewers across the country, it doesn't stop us from giving it a once over before the actual device comes in.

The iPad, slated to come out on April 3^rd and already ready to be pre-ordered, has been one of the most anticipated and widely rumored Apple devices next to the iPhone. At a price-point of $499, it is on par to compete with Amazon's Kindle and Barnes and Noble's Nook.

Some seem to have looked past the hype and looked at the details surrounding this fabled device, scrutinizing it's every feature. Here are some of the key features that were indicated in Apple's keynote in late January.

The iPad, like it's younger cousin the iPhone, is a multi-touch device. Again like the iPhone, it has a completely backlit LCD screen unlike the Kindle and Nook. It supposedly runs on the iPhone OS, therefore making Safari, Mail, Photos, Videos, YouTube, iTunes, iPod, the App Store, Maps, and the whole plethora of native iPhone software, native on the iPad as well.

One of it's main selling points however is a new application called iBooks, where you get a literal bookshelf GUI, with all the books you either own or have rented, as well as any magazine subscriptions you have, and you can browse through it similar to the way you would browse through a real life bookshelf. Logically, the books themselves are NOT buyable on the Appstore or iTunes, but on it's own application iBookstore.

One of the big leaps outside of the iPhone OS ring, is the integration of the iWork suite, similar to what a Mac or Macbook would have. It then becomes quite versatile, especially in conjunction with mail, allowing you to access all your files on the go without having to open up a laptop.

With a 9.7-inch screen, viewing any of the apps is a breeze, allowing for a 1024x768 pixel resolution at 132 pixels per inch (ppi). You can buy it in 16, 32, or 64 GB flash memory, making it much roomier than any of its counterparts.

One of the main points of contention ever since it was announced at the keynote was it's battery life. Comparatively, the Kindle has up to seven days battery life with the wireless turned on (with it's most recent update), versus the iPad's measly 10 hours. Steve Jobs quickly shot down the remark in an interview post-keynote commenting that not very many people would use the device for 10 hours a day.

Aside from the battery life, and the display; the form and function of the iPad seems to be much better than it's e-book reader counterparts. All we can do now is wait until reviews of the actual device come up.

Photo Credits: nDevilTV

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