iPad (1st generation) facts for kids

iPad

Developer	Apple Inc.
Manufacturer	Foxconn
Product family	iPad
Type	Tablet computer
Discontinued	March 2, 2011 (2011-03-02)
Operating system	iOS 5.1.1 (build 9B206) Released May 7, 2012; 13 years ago (2012-05-07) No longer supported; third party operating systems available Originally shipped with iPhone OS 3.2
Power	Built-in rechargeable Li-Po battery 25 W⋅h (90 kJ), 10hr life
System-on-chip used	Apple A4
CPU	1 GHz ARM Cortex-A8
Memory	256 MB DDR RAM
Storage	16, 32 or 64 GB flash memory
Display	1024 × 768 px 132 PPI 4:3 aspect ratio 9.7 in (250 mm) diagonal XGA, LED-backlit IPS LCD
Graphics	PowerVR SGX535 while the iPad 2 has its speakers behind a single grill.
Sound	Bluetooth, speaker, microphone, headset jack
Input	Multi-touch screen, proximity and ambient light sensors, 3-axis accelerometer, digital compass
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR GSM models also include UMTS / HSDPA 850, 1,900, 2,100 MHz GSM / EDGE 850, 900, 1,800, 1,900 MHz)
Online services	iTunes Store, App Store, iCloud, iBookstore
Dimensions	9.56 in (243 mm) (h) 7.47 in (190 mm) (w) 0.50 in (13 mm) (d)
Weight	Wi-Fi: 1.5 lb (680 g) Wi-Fi + 3G: 1.6 lb (730 g)
Successor	iPad 2
Related articles	iPhone, iPod Touch

The first generation iPad was a new type of computer called a tablet computer. It was designed and sold by Apple Inc.. This device had a special Apple A4 processor inside. It also featured a large 9.7-inch touchscreen display. You could use it to listen to music, send and receive emails, and browse the internet. It was a big step in how people used computers.

What is a Tablet Computer?

A tablet computer is like a mix between a smartphone and a laptop. It's bigger than a phone but smaller than most laptops. Tablets usually have a touchscreen for you to interact with them. This means you tap and swipe directly on the screen. They are great for watching videos, reading books, and playing games.

The iPad's Design and Features

The first iPad was sleek and simple. It had a flat back and a large screen. The screen was 9.7 inches diagonally. This size made it easy to hold and use. It weighed about 1.5 pounds (0.68 kg) for the Wi-Fi model. This made it light enough to carry around.

Inside the First iPad

The iPad used a special chip called the Apple A4. This chip helped the iPad run smoothly. It allowed you to open apps and switch between them easily. The iPad also had 256 MB of memory. This is like the short-term memory of a computer. For storage, it came with 16, 32, or 64 GB. This is where your apps, photos, and music were saved.

How You Controlled It

The most important part was the multi-touch screen. This meant you could use more than one finger at a time. You could pinch to zoom in or out on pictures. You could also swipe to turn pages in a book. The iPad also had sensors. An accelerometer detected if you were holding it upright or sideways. A magnetometer acted like a digital compass.

Connecting to the World

The first iPad came in two main versions. One version connected to the internet using Wi-Fi. This was great for using it at home or in places with public Wi-Fi. The other version also had 3G cellular connectivity. This allowed you to connect to the internet even when you were away from Wi-Fi. It used mobile phone networks, similar to how a smartphone connects.

Apps and Services

The iPad ran on iOS, which is Apple's mobile operating system. It came with many built-in apps. These included apps for email, photos, and web browsing. You could also download thousands of other apps from the App Store. These apps let you do almost anything. You could play games, learn new things, or create art. The iPad also connected to the iTunes Store for music and movies. It also had the iBookstore for digital books.

The iPad's Impact

When the first iPad was released in 2010, it was a big deal. It helped make tablet computers popular. Many people saw it as a new way to interact with technology. It was easy to use and very portable. It changed how people read, watched videos, and played games. The iPad opened the door for many other tablets that came after it.

The iPad Family Grows

The first iPad was discontinued in 2011. It was replaced by the iPad 2. The iPad 2 was thinner and lighter. It also had cameras, which the first iPad did not. The original iPad paved the way for all future iPad models. It showed the world what a tablet could do.

Images for kids

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  Former Apple chief executive officer Steve Jobs introducing the iPad at Apple’s 2010 keynote address

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  The lower portion of the iPad, showing the charging port and audio output grilles

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  The Apple A4 chip, used in the first-generation iPad and the iPhone 4

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  The original iPad in its black case