Tonight “Apple” finally officially introduced its very first Tablet PC. The new device will be called the Apple iPad, and it features both the smartphone and laptop features.

Apple iPad will have a 9.7-inch large IPS technology capacitive multi-touch LCD screen, Apple A4 1GHz processor, built-in speaker, microphone, accelerometer, compass, Bluetooth wireless connectivity, and 802.11n Wi -Fi wireless internet support, as well as the docking mount. The new product will be available in versions with 16 GB, 32 GB or 64 GB flash memory. This device will operate up to 10 hours, but in standby it will work for a month. However, at the same time, this product will be able to play high-definition video.

Apple will also offer a special keyboard docking station that will let you use iPad like any laptop.

“iPad” weighs only 680g (1,5 pounds) and is only 1.34 centimeters (0,5 inches) thin. Unlike the iPhone and MacBooks, this device will not have a wide-screen display. But it will not be an obstacle to use iPhone applications on the iPad, because the new product will be compatible with all previous iPhone applications. iPhone applications can be used both in their original size (in which case the program will be displayed in the center of the screen, but the relatively small window) or a full-screen mode, which is achieved by doubling the pixel size of the application.

Operating system of this product is iPhone 3.2 OS so the user interface is similar to the popular iPhone interface.

Although the iPad will also support iPhone applications, manufacturers are encouraged to develop apps for the iPad, and during tonights event a number of impressive games, as well as iWork office iPad applications and The New York Times application were introduced.

Also, “Apple iPad” will get the “iBook” application that will allow to use this device as an e-book reader, however, be noted that it will not be easy to read books on a LCD screen, so it is unlikely that the “iPad” will be able to compete with e-ink screen equipped e-book readers.

Apple iPads starting price is 499 U.S. dollars – by following the money would be offered “iPad” with 16 GB of memory, 32 GB model will cost 599 dollars, but the 64 GB model will be about $100 more expensive.

For an additional 130 dollars Apple offers iPad Tablet PCs with 3G mobile connection support and A-GPS navigation (16 GB 3G model will cost 629 dollars, 32 GB version will cost 729 dollars, but the 64 GB version – 829 bucks).

It should be noted though that at first the iPad will be available only in the U.S., but after 60 days it will become available in other countries around the world (you will have to wait 3 months for the 3G version to become available internationally though).