History of Computers - iPad
Introduction
The Apple iPad was released in 2010. It was a glorified iPhone expanded to be used as a reading device, small game device, etc. without paying for phone (calling) functionality while allowing users access to a bigger screen (like an iPod touch but bigger). They were intended to replace netbooks, costing only originally $500, but now they range from $300 to $500. It was a huge success, with 15 million sales in the first year (more than all other tablet sales combined!).
Overview
The iPad was made for browsing the Internet (although flash functionality was removed, which, at the time, was very detrimental to Internet browsing. Now most flash apps have been ported to HTML5 so they can run on any device). It included an AUX port, and used one of Apple's standard 30-pin chargers that were used for iPhones at the time, as well as two physical volume buttons, the home button, and mono speakers. Apple also included the first Apple-branded processor, the A4. Of course, it also had the App Store, with 65,000 apps optimized for iPad at the time.
Release Date & Model History:[2]
- 2010-04: Apple iPad
- 2011-03: Apple iPad 2
- 2012-03: Apple iPad 3
- 2012-11: Apple iPad 4
- 2012-11: Apple iPad Mini
- 2013-11: Apple iPad Air
- 2013-11: Apple iPad Mini 2
- 2014-10: Apple iPad Air 2
- 2014-11: Apple iPad Mini 3
- 2015-09: Apple iPad Pro
- 2015-09: Apple iPad Mini 4
- 2016-04: Apple iPad Pro 9.7 - named the 9.7 for the 9.7 inch screen
As you can see, the numbering system does not really make any sense. The iPad Pro 9.7 is by far the most powerful in terms of raw processing power, and has the best camera yet.
Significance
Although it only boasted a 1GHz processor and 250 MB of RAM, The iPad was extremely significant because it led way to a new market: the tablets. No manufacturer was courageous enough to try to develop a mid-sized computing device, because no other company thought they would sell. Without Apple's decision to make the iPad, the tablet market has since expanded to include Windows tablets, Samsung tablets, many more iPads, Asus tablets, Motorola tablets, etc. Although the first Windows Tablet was released in 2005, it was not nearly as successful as the iPad, and thus, did not kick start the tablet industry like the iPad did.[3] The iPad was able to kick start the industry because it was designed for a simple, tablet-based interface, and because it was easy to use and updated frequently. With the update iOS 4.2 (2010-11), the iPad and iPhone had the same operating system (minus a few minor iPad-specific and iPhone-specific things), representing a unity in the Apple workflow. And now, Macs are included; their updates match the iPhones' and iPads' in order to convey a sense of unity. The iPad has influenced Apple, many customers, and every other tablet making company significantly, and secured Apple's lead in the phone/tablet joint industry.
Links
References
- ↑ http://www.imore.com/sites/imore.com/files/styles/large/public/topic_images/2014/topic_ipad_air_ipad_mini_0.png/
- ↑ http://www.tabletpccomparison.net/compare-apple-ipad-tablets
- ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/327160
9/18/2016 Matthew Giordano
