As it weights 680 grams, the iPad has its size and weight located between those of most contemporary smartphones and laptop computers. Apple released the iPad in April 2010, and managed to sell over 3 million copies of the device within just 80 days of sales. Strategy Analytics released a report that shows how the Apple iPad gained a 95 percent share sales of tablet personal computers, in the second quarter of 2010. In the second quarter of 2010, Apple managed to sell 4.19 million copies of iPad around the world.
When it comes to operating systems, the Apple iPad uses the same one as the earlier versions of the iPod Touch and the iPhone. Alike these two, the iPad can only run applications approved by Apple itself, and obtained through their online AppStore. The iPad can run special applications developed for it, but can also run applications intended for the iPhone. Unlike most existent tablet computers that use a pressure-triggered stylus, the iPad uses a Multi Touch screen based LCD display. The iPad uses Wi-Fi technology to connect to the internet, load and stream data, or install software. Some iPad models also have implemented 3G which gives users the advantage of being able to connect to the GSM 3G data networks. Although the iPad was created as a substitute for much heavier or hard to transport personal computers, you still need a PC to sync. its data via iTunes. Without another computer, you cannot download different software updates put to the user's disposal online.
The iPad has a 25 cm multi touch screen based liquid crystal display which uses an 1025x768 resolution. The screen is both scratch and fingerprint resistant. Like the iPhone, the iPad was intended for bare finger usage, and also like the iPhone, it does not support gloves and styluses because they are not capable of providing the needed amount of electrical conductivity for the touch screen. However, there are special gloves and capacitive styluses which can be used with the iPad.
Besides the Multi Touch screen sensor, the iPad responds to two more sensors. The first one is the ambient light sensor which detects the amount of light in the room and adjusts the screen's brightness so users can have the best experience. The other one is the 3-axis accelerometer sensor which helps the iPad figure out in what direction it is being moved. It also helps the device know when to change the viewing mode (from portrait to landscape, or viceversa). Unlike the iPhone, which has only three available orientations (portrait, landscape-left and landscape-right), the iPad introduced a new orientation (upside-down), so we can say that there is no instinct orientation for the computer. The native position of the Home button is the only one that changes.