Today Apple officially launched their much anticipated tablet device, the Apple iPad. Apple is describing the iPad as the best way to experience the web, photos, and email. The device features a whole range of new apps from apple designed specificlly for the larger screen and multitouch interface. Today at the Apple Keynote, many of the new apps were showcased. The iPad is going to add a whole new level of gaming to apple devices.
A quick overview of the iPad: It is essentially a giant iPod touch. The device is about 9.5″ x 7.5″. It features WiFi technology, and there is an option to upgrade to 3G as well. The WiFi version weighs about 1.5 lbs and the WiFI+3G version will weigh 1.6 lbs. The iPad will come with a 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB flash drive. The device starts to retail at $499 US for the 16GB WiFI version, and up to $829 for the 64GB version with WiFi + 3G capabilities. Data plans in the US will start at $15, and be $30 for unlimited data.In terms of new apps, there is something called iBooks.
The iBooks app is described by Apple as a great way to read and purchase books.1 Just download the app for free from the App Store, and you’ll be able to buy everything from old classics to new bestsellers from the built-in iBookstore. Once you’ve bought a book, it’s displayed on your Bookshelf. To read it, all you have to do is tap on it and it opens up. The high-resolution, LED-backlit screen displays everything in sharp, rich, color, so it’s very easy to read, even in low light. Apple has also teamed up with the New York Times to offer an enhanced version of their publication, featuring embeded video.
I just read that Barack Obama will be getting a customized ultra-secure BlackBerry 8830. The NSA is currently ensuring that its encryption software is up to code (no pun intended). It could take a few months before he actually gets it, but it looks like he will be using it for email, text and phone with other people who have special secure software loaded on their devices. The list of people who would have this software includes Michelle Obama and top white house aides. Obama has been known to use an older model BlackBerry as well as a special NSA handheld known as the Sectera Edge from General Dynamics Corp. The use of his current blackberry device requires it to be connected to the Sectera Edge, making for one big and ugly phone. The new blackberry 8830 will be easier to use, less bulky, and secure. I always pictured Barack as more of an Apple guy; oh well…
So Apple files patents all the time for improvements on existing technology that they have, but recently they filed for something a little bit our of the ordinary. It looks like they are looking to incorporate biometric sensors in the iPhone and iPod Touch! Apple suggests that embedding biometric sensors in locations where users already touch devices is their plan. In the case of the iPhone, a patent drawing shows a biometric sensor embedded in the display sensors beneath the area of the screen that is used to unlock the device.Other drawings also show sensors embedded in a notebook trackpad and on certain keyboard keys. The patent application discusses a number of other authentication methods, including facial feature recognition and even retinal scanning, although those may not be coming any time soon. I think we could see biometric sensor technology in the Apple laptops and the iPhone as soon as October 2009. 
