The Apple iPad is here, check out the video

Apple has launched its highly anticipated iPad. The biggest surprise is the price of just under $500. Commentators had expected the device to cost around $1.000. Upon announcing the price during the presentation by Apple CEO Steve Jobs today, Apple’s share-price soared after initially falling during the first part of the presentation.

The iPad can be used for browsing the web, reading and sending email, enjoying photos, watching videos, listening to music, playing games, reading e-books and much more. Just like with the iPhone the Multi-Touch™ display lets users physically interact with applications and content. The iPad is lighter than any laptop or netbook on the market today and will run almost all140,000 iPhone apps. It will be shipped from March 2010.

“iPad is our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “iPad creates and defines an entirely new category of devices that will connect users with their apps and content in a much more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before.”

The iPad promises to have a long battery life of up to 10 hours.

iPad will be available in late March worldwide for a suggested retail price of $499 (US) for the 16GB model, $599 (US) for the 32GB model, $699 (US) for the 64GB model. The Wi-Fi + 3G models of iPad will be available in April in the US and selected countries for a suggested retail price of $629 (US) for the 16GB model, $729 (US) for the 32GB model and $829 (US) for the 64GB model. iPad will be sold in the US through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers. International pricing and worldwide availability will be announced at a later date. iBookstore will be available in the US at launch.