IPad

The iPad is a line of tablet computers designed and marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPad was released on April 3, 2010, followed by the iPad mini and iPad Air. The most recent additions are the iPad Pro 2020 models.

The user interface is built around the device's multi-touch screen, including a virtual keyboard. All iPad models include built-in Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity is available as an option. By 2017, over 360 million iPads had been sold. The iPads initially ran a modified version of the iOS operating system for iPhones. In September 2019, version 13.1 was spun off into iPadOS.

Features
An iPad can shoot video, take photos, play music, and perform Internet functions such as web-browsing and emailing. Other functions—games, reference, GPS navigation, social networking, etc.—can be enabled by downloading and installing apps. As of October 2013, the App Store has more than 475,000 native apps by Apple and third parties.

Product history
There have been many versions of the iPad. The first iPad established many design precedents, such as the 9.7-inch screen size and button placement, that have persisted through all models. The iPad 2 added a dual core Apple A5 processor and VGA front-facing and 720p rear-facing cameras designed for FaceTime video calling. The third generation added a Retina display, the new Apple A5X processor with a quad-core graphics processor, a 5-megapixel camera, HD 1080p video recording, voice dictation, and 4G (LTE). The fourth generation added the Apple A6X processor and replaced the 30-pin connector with a smaller Lightning connector. The iPad Air added the 64-bit Apple A7 processor and reduced the form factor for the first time since the iPad 2. iOS 6 added Siri to the third and fourth generations and the iPad Mini.

There have been several versions of the iPad Mini. The first generation featured a reduced screen size of 7.9 inches and similar internal specifications as the iPad 2 in a smaller form factor that continues to be used in newer models. It also uses the Lightning connector. The second generation features the Retina display and the Apple A7 processor, matching the internal specifications of the iPad Air.

Released in November 2015, the first generation iPad Pro was based around the Apple A12Z, advertised by Apple as the first "desktop class" mobile processor.

Product lines

 * iPad - The original product line, introduced on April 3, 2010, and now focused on the consumer and education markets.
 * iPad mini - A line of smaller models released from November 2, 2012 to present.
 * iPad Air - A line of premium lightweight models released from November 1, 2013 to present.
 * iPad Pro - The flagship line of professional models released from November 11, 2015 to present.

Articles

 * The Apple iPad through time: A decade of iPad revisited by Britta O'Boyle at Pocket-lint (2020-04-11)

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