The iPad is a tablet computer designed and marketed by Apple for Internet browsing, media consumption, gaming, and light content creation. Released in April 2010, it established a new class of devices between smartphones and laptops.
As of May 31, 2010, Apple had sold 2 million iPads.
Similar to the older (and smaller) iPod Touch and iPhone, the iPad runs a modified version of the iPhone OS and is controlled by a multi-touch LCD sensitive to fingertips, instead of a stylus as with earlier tablet computers.
It runs iPad-specific applications as well as those written for the iPhone and iPod Touch, including e-book readers.
The iPad uses Wi-Fi or a 3G data connection to browse the Internet, load and stream media, and install software.
A USB cable is required to sync the iPad with iTunes on a personal computer.
