iPad

Apple's Jobs: The tablet PC 'crashed and burned'

Apple CEO Steve Jobs had some choice words today for the tablet PC, a relatively obscure PC product category that never caught on with consumers.

What is the tablet PC exactly? While there's a long history of this product category and thus not a hard-and-fast definition, it's probably best exemplified today by hybrids like Hewlett-Packard's EliteBook 2740p (which starts at a whopping $1,599) or the Fujitsu Lifebook T900 Tablet PC (which starts at an even higher $1,899).

The tablet PC has been largely a vain attempt--certainly compared with the popularity of the iPad--to meld the … Read more

CNET to the Rescue: iOS safety tips, and more

My guest today is CNET editor Seth Rosenblatt, who's going to help us keep our shiny new iPad 2s safe from harm. Also, I test the new Synology DS411slim home server, we opine on using a DVR as an archival store for videos, and more.

If you have a tech question for CNET to the Rescue, call us with your questions to get on the next show: 877-438-6688 or e-mail rescue@cnet.com. No question is too basic, so if you've got a tech problem that's been getting under your skin, please call us and we'll try our best to help you out.

Episode 36: Seth on iOS security

Apple unveils iPad 2 (roundup)

CEO Steve Jobs returns from medical leave to show off the latest version of Apple's hit tablet.

The iPad 2 makes its debut Apple unveils the latest version of its popular tablet: the iPad 2. Thinner, lighter, and faster than the original, it goes on sale March 11. (Posted in Signal Strength by Marguerite Reardon) March 2, 2011 10:25 a.m. PT

Jobs makes surprise showing at iPad 2 unveiling Apple's co-founder and CEO Steve Jobs surprised most by emceeing today's iPad 2 unveiling in San Francisco. Jobs had announced his third medical absence from Apple … Read more

What you need to know about the iPad 2 (FAQ)

The new iPad 2 will hit store shelves in the U.S. on March 11.

If you've been waiting to see what Apple would put in the latest version of the hit tablet, here's a quick FAQ that spells out some of the key features. It also is a quick guide to what's new for the iPad 2 and how much one of these new devices will cost you.

For a blow-by-blow account of today's announcement in San Francisco, check out CNET's archived Live Blog. And for a recap and analysis on what it all means check out this CNET story.

How is the iPad 2 different from the original iPad? In a nut shell, the iPad 2 is thinner, lighter, faster, and has two cameras for video conferencing.

The new iPad uses a new A5 dual-core processor, which Apple CEO Steve Jobs says is twice as fast as the previous iPad. He also said it will help boost graphics performance making it nine times faster. The newer iPad is also about 33 percent thinner and lighter than the original iPad: 1.3 pounds instead of 1.5. And it now comes in white as well as black.

Additionally, the iPad 2 now offers two cameras, which means it can be used for video conferencing via Apple's FaceTime app or a third-party video conferencing app, such as Skype. The rear camera is 720p. And the front camera is "VGA-quality" suitable for video and still photography.… Read more

Apple quietly releases iTunes 10.2

Amid all the news of the iPad 2 today, Apple quietly released iTunes 10.2 (Windows and Mac), readying the software by adding compatibility for syncing with iOS devices ahead of the coming release of iOS 4.3 next Friday. For the full breakdown of what's coming in iOS 4.3, read our coverage.

Along with compatibility with the latest iOS, the iTunes 10.2 update includes improved home sharing, which means you'll be able to play music and other iTunes content on other computers in your network and on any iOS device (running iOS 4.3) tied … Read more

iPad 2: Big trouble for Android tablets?

We've all known more or less what was coming for a while. The iPad 2 was going to get slimmer and lighter, have a faster processor and better graphic engine, as well as sport cameras in the front and back--oh, and the already impressive battery life would be about the same. We also knew that if past Apple product upgrades were any indication, the new, improved iPad was going to be the same price as its predecessor. And it is, with the Wi-Fi-only version of the iPad 2 (16GB) starting at $499.

So what's this all mean for … Read more

Apple iPad 2 hands-on: Predictable, awesome

What does the world's most successful tablet computer do for an encore? More of the same.

The second-generation iPad from Apple is thinner, faster, lighter, and whiter, but not a radical departure from the original. Pricing is also holding steady, starting at $499 for a 16GB Wi-Fi-only model, up to 64GB with 3G (provided by AT&T or Verizon without contract) priced at $829.

You can't blame Apple for going easy on new features. Apple's original recipe for the iPad single-handedly created and captured the demand for tablets last year. By any measure, it is not a product in need of fixing. It has the market share, it has the developers, and it has the momentum.

Apple also just makes damn fine products. Having had a few minutes with the iPad 2, I can say that it is every bit as stunning as the original. The first thing that struck me was the iPad's weight loss. It's still not Kindle thin, but the lighter design should make the e-book crowd happier and prove to be a distinct advantage over bulkier competitors, including the recent Motorola Xoom. … Read more

The iPad's new engine: The A5 chip

The iPad 2's A5 chip is sending a strong message to the competition: Apple is moving to dual-core processing power in a completely redesigned tablet but keeping the 10-hour battery life.

Apple's A5 processor supersedes the A4 chip currently used in the iPad and iPhone 4. The A5 effectively doubles the processing power by adding another processor core to the single-core A4.

"We get up to twice as fast on CPU [Central Processing Unit] performance," said Steve Jobs, speaking at the iPad 2 event today in San Francisco.

And Apple is also trumpeting its graphics processing. &… Read more

Jobs makes surprise showing at iPad 2 unveiling

Apple CEO Steve Jobs made a surprise appearance at this morning's iPad 2 unveiling, bringing event attendees to their feet for a standing ovation. It was Jobs' first appearance at an Apple event since announcing his third medical leave from the company, and an unexpected one at that.

The week prior, Chief Operating Officer Tim Cook, who Jobs had put in charge of running Apple's day-to-day operations in his absence, had presided over the company's annual shareholders meeting, leading many to believe that Jobs would also be sitting this morning's event out.

Jobs appeared at ease … Read more

Buzz Out Loud 1418: Buzz Out Loud covers Apple iPad 2 announcement

In case you missed the big event and like to get your news recaps as though they're happening in real-time, here's a replay of our live coverage of Apple's iPad 2 announcement! Upshot: Brian Tong really IS NostraTongus, and every other tablet maker on earth better start slashing prices, stat. --Molly