The iPad uses the same operating system as the earlier iPhone and iPod Touch models. It can run applications of its own,as well as other applications originally intended for the iPhone or iPod. However,alike the iPhone and iPod,the iPad also runs only Apple approved applications, provided for clients via Apple's online store.Unlike the other tablet computers which use a pressure triggered stylus,the iPad uses a multi-touch screen display.You can use the iPad to surf the internet with the help of the Wi-Fi connection technology that Apple implemented on the device,and can synchronize data on the iPad with a personal computer by iTunes and a USB data cable.Until now,the iPad looks like a bigger iPod.
The iPad presents a 25 cm LCD display with scratch and fingerprint resistance. As well as the iPod, the iPad is designed to be used by bare fingers,as gloves and styli prevent the needed electrical conductivity. However,there are certain gloves and styli especially made for this purpose.There are also two other sensors that the iPad responses to: the ambient light sensor that measures the brightness level in the room and automatically sets the best brightness level for the screen and a 3-axis accelerometer that helps the iPad's display to change from landscape to portrait mode and vice versa when the device is rotated. Unlike the iPhone and the iPod that support only three types of orientation modes (portait,landscape-left and landscape-right),the iPad introduces a brand new orientation style,upside-down,so basically the device has no native orientation except for the positioning of the Home Button.
Apple has implemented a switch on the device,that locks the orientation changing,so that no unintended rotation might take place when the user is lying down,for instance.There is a total of four physical buttons situated on the device.The Home Button is the only button located on the front of the iPad,as the Awake/Sleep and Volume Up/Down keys are located on the side of the device along with the rotation lock switch.
The iPad can use Wi-Fi connectivity to provide location information to applications such as Google Maps.The wired connectivity on the other hand is poor,as the iPad lacks usual computer USB and Ethernet ports,and can connect through a dock connector.
Apple claims that their iPad can hold up to 140 hours of audi playback,10 hours of video playback,and an entire month in standby.However,the LiPo nature of the integrated battery tells us that the battery's capacity will be lost in time.As iPad batteries are not intended for home-replacement, Apple assures users that an iPad that completely lost its charging ability,will be replaced with a refurbished iPad for a fee of $99 to which $7 have been added for the shipping costs.