Yes, you heard right, I , Samir, now have an iPad. After a few hours of using it, if you know the iPhone OS, you get used to it, and if you’re like me, you love it. We’ll get a review up soon.
(Written on the iPad)

On March 18th, this next generation iPhone was picked up in a bar and, by Monday the 19th of April, was sold to Gizmodo for $5,000. Apple killed it’s OS (4.0) before anyone but the finder could see it, but it has hardware additions, such as an extra front facing camera, a higher res screen, and a flash for the camera on the back. It also is flat on both sides, takes Micro SIM cards and apparently has 80gb of storage. And now Gizmodo have said yes to giving it back, after Apple sent a letter to ask if they could have it back , which confirms it’s real, but not whether it’s a prototype, or an early retail model.

Within 24 hours of appearing on the App Store, Opera for iPhone has topped the download charts.

The app was downloaded 1,023,380 between the 14th and 16th April.

Opera’s app took 3 weeks to be approved. In my opinion, it feels a little clunky and “betaish,” and quicktime, as well as Youtube videos won’t play. However, it is incredibly fast on slow EDGE or GPRS connections, and has a very nice speed dial.

I hope Opera listens to some of the criticism they are getting and improves the app accordingly.

Apple have announce iPhone OS 4.0 and it fixes one of the iPhone and iPad’s major drawbacks – multitasking. So finally, OS 4.0 has multitasking. Apple have made a built in add-on called iAd, which developers can implement as an alternative to services such as Admob. They have also announced Game Center, a brand new service which will bring Xbox Live like online gaming services to the iPhone.

The iPhone 3G and 2nd generation iPod touch models (including the current 8GB iPod Touch model) won’t get multitasking with the update, while iPad users won’t get it until Autumn (Summer is the iPhone and iPod Touch release). Original iPhone and iPod Touch users will not get the update at all. Hit apple.com to see all the new goodies!

A Canadian mobile network has also unofficially said Apple are releasing a new model of the iPhone around June, following the fact Apple have released one every summer since the first iPhone.

[Via Engadget] [I'm sure Samir was confused, BUT THERE IS NO ADS IN BUILT-IN APPS. iAds is a tool developers can use to put ads in their apps, in a better way than you can currently. Sorry if we confused anyone]

Apple have just released the new MacBook Pro line bringing much better performance, with 10 hour batteries on the 13 inch, and 8 to 9 hours on the 15 and 17 inch models, along with intel core i5 and i7 processors. There has been a Ram boost on the 13 inch models, and hard drive boosts across the line. Apple also claim it can handle 3D gaming, according to it’s website.

[Via apple.com]

Apple have announced that they will delay the iPad’s international launch to late May, but the final date and pricing will be announced on the 10th. Buyers can pre-order on and after this date. Apple blames incredibly popular demand as the cause for this decision, and says that 200,000 more iPads have been sold than expected in the states.

Apple’s 27th January Event has finished, and the long awaited tablet has been announced. And it’s called the iPad. It’s very much like the iPod Touch/iPhone stretched up.

The iPad includes redesigned Mail, Contacts, Calendar, Safari, Notes, Photos, Youtube, Videos and many other built-in apps.

One of the coolest apps is the new iBooks app. It includes the new iBook Store, and is an awesome e-book reading app. Apple has signed deals with many leading publishers already.

The iPad will run all of the 140,000+ apps in the App Store, which will be stretched or displayed in a little window in the middle. They also released the iPad SDK, for dedicated iPad apps. Several developers spoke at the conference, such as EA. Apple is also making iWork for the iPad, which will cost $10 per app (Pages, Numbers, Keynote)

The device has a 9.7inch, LED-backlit, IPS display with a 178° viewing angle. It is also multi-touch (obviously.)

The device will have a Wifi only model in 16, 32 and 64GB, and they will all be available with 3G as well.

These are some of the accessories. They have announced a iPad dock, and one with a keyboard. It is also compatible with the Apple Bluetooth Keyboard too. It is also available with a jacket which doubles as a clever stand. Other accessories include a VGA, component and composite output cables, and a dock connector to USB or SD adpater.

The iPad runs at 1Ghz on Apple’s new 1Ghz A4 processor.

So, what do you think? I personally think it is a great device, but others think it’s just a stetched iPhone. Which is true. At the moment. Let’s see what’s to come. No release date yet, but will I get one when it comes? Depends on the UK pricing, which we will post when available.

[Via Engadget, Gizmodo and gdgt Liveblog and Apple.com for info.]

Apple have sent out invitations for an event at the San Francisco Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Theater, the invitations look like this;

What are they announcing? The long awaited tablet, iPhone 4G, iPhone 4.0?

We will just have to wait and see.