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Jan 27, 2010 15:31 GMT  ·  By

Today, Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 is the day the entire Apple fan base is waiting on Steve Jobs to unveil the company’s long-rumored tablet, in tandem with smaller announcements, such as a new version of the iPhone OS, iLife 2010, a new iTunes Store format, and more. This article will serve as the place where all Softpedia readers and Apple fans can learn of the latest announcements from the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.

In the past couple of days, everyone with a connection to the company headquartered in Cupertino, California, has dished out details regarding the existence, functionality, even the look of Apple’s upcoming marvel. It is said to change the way we read books, play games, and watch videos. With the exception of beta testers who only now have a green light to share their hands-on experience with others, Apple is the only one that has the full scoop for us, and all will be revealed in good time (T-minus 4 hours, and counting).

Earlier today, Softpedia reported that a certain Terry McGraw not only confirmed to CNBC that McGraw-Hill worked with Apple to bring content over to the tablet, but also that the device ran on the iPhone OS. MacDailyNews followed with a report saying that a YouTube video and an unrelated tip had combined to spell out “iOS,” referring to the new name Apple’s IPhone OS would bear.

Citing a tipster, the site reveals Apple will rename the iPhone OS “iOS” in order to “better reflect the diversity of devices that will run the operating system: iPhone, iPod touch, and future devices to be announced.” A recently uploaded YouTube video also shows the “iOS” reference on a background that matches the artwork (color splashes) on Apple's event invitations.

The tablet, although most of its specs appear to have been leaked, is still without a name. Given the huge hype surrounding it, Apple fanboys couldn’t care less about the name, be it iSlate, iPad, or iTablet. Some, however, believe there’s no “i” in the dubbing. As noted above, all we have to do is wait and see. Yes, it’s killing us too!

Regarding other possible announcements, Softpedia is refraining itself from speculation, this time around. The Apple tablet is the centerpiece of the “creation”-focused event set to kick off in a few hours, which will undoubtedly leave other updates and announcements in a trail of dust, and flying aluminum splinters. Basically, it’s like this: the Mac maker could introduce an Apple-branded toaster alongside this tablet device, and no one would care. So, as we wait for the big event, we encourage you to do your own speculating in the comments.

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Update #1

Steve Jobs takes the stage at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, saying, "We want to kick off 2010 by introducing a magical and revolutionary product today... but first I have a few updates." Apple's CEO goes through Apple's latest achievements - big sales, popularity, etc.

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Update #2

Steve Jobs FINALLY unveils the Apple tablet. What do you know, it IS called "iPad." Steve starts demoing the thing, browsing the web, showing off various capabilities. It's basically a bigger iPhone, just like the rumos said.

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Update #3

Indeed, the iPad is running an enhanced version of the iPhone operating system. "Now if I want to send a message, I hit compose -- up pops this gorgeous keyboard," Steve Jobs explains, showing off the beautiful QWERTY keyboard showing up on the iPad's screen. Steve also shows off just how great Multi-Touch and the iPad get along, flicking through photo galleries, zooming through maps, etc. iTunes works like a charm with the device (obviously), as does YouTube. Finally, Steve confirms that the iPad is "powered by our own silicon. The 1GHz Apple A4 chip. It screams."

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Update #4

Specs: - 9.7-inch IPS display (not confirming ANY of the screen-size rumors); - full capacitive touchscreen; - 0.5 inches thin; - weighs 1.5 pounds; - 1GHz Apple A4 chip; - 16-64 GB flash storage; - Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR; - WiFi 802.11.n; - Speaker, mic, 30-pin connector; - Accelerometer & Compass; - 10-hour battery life (Apple claims "over a month of stanby").

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Update #5

Jobs invites Scott Forstall, SVP of iPhone Software, Apple, on stage to demo some of the apps for the tablet device... um, iPad (we really need to get used to calling it that).

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Update #6

New iPhone SDK includes tablet-specific tools to boost apps for the big display. As usual, developers are invited up on stage to demo some of their accomplishments with the new development tools for the iPad. Demo time is short, and Apple moves on to the next thing - The New York Times.

"We think we've captured the essence of reading the newspaper. A superior experience in a native application," Forstall says. He shows off playable embedded video inside of news articles.

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Update #7

Demo time is actually not over. More developers are invitied on stage to showcase apps. Steve Sprang, Brushes developer, shows off the artistic capabilities of the iPad (thanks to the increased screen size), while EA's Travis Boatman demos (what else) Need For Speed Shift (which is breathtaking, by the way).

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Update #8

Steve Jobs is back, and he is eager to talk about books... iBooks, that is. "It has a bookshelf. In addition there's a button which is the store -- we've created the new iBook Store. You can download right onto your iPad," he says. Steve begins to demonstrate how book reading is done on the iPad, which offers a pleasant page display, and comfortable page turning. You can also select fonts, for your reading pleasure.

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Update #9

The new, Multi-Touch iWork is confirmed.

"Now, something very exciting... iWork. A little over a year ago I asked the head of our team about creating iWork for the iPad. The reaction was... 'ahhh they require a lot of horsepower,'" Steve Jobs says. "Could the tablet handle that? You betcha. But they required a new UI -- here's Phil Schiller to tell you about it."

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iWork can display a data-entry keyboard just for entering info into a spreadsheet, while a number of different keyboards can be arranged for specific tasks, including a date and time keyboard. Throughout the iWork demo, Schiller reveals that dropdown menus are a major part of the operating system employed by the iPad.

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Apple is going to charge $9.99 per iWork app (Pages, Keynote, Numbers).

Update #10

"Now I'd like to talk about wireless networking. Every iPad has WiFi... but we're also going to have models with 3G," Steve reveals. "Now what does it cost for the data plans? Well in the US carriers charge about $60 a month. We have a real breakthrough. Two awesome plans for iPad owners. The first one gives you 250MB of data a month for $14.99," Jobs confirms. "We have an unlimited plan for just $29.99 a month," he adds.

"You can activate this right on the iPad. And there's no contract -- it's prepaid. [...] So we have a breakthrough deal in the US. We hope to have our international deals in the June / July timeframe. However, all of the iPad 3G models are unlocked, and they use the new GSM microSIMs," Steve Jobs continues to explain. Finally, he reveals the tablet's price - it starts at $499 and goes up to $829 for 64GB of storage and 3G. Worldwide availability for WiFi models - two months from now, 90 days for the 3G models.

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Update #11

Finally (yes, that's it), the iPad is compatible with multiple accessories, including a keyboard, a case that makes it stand up straight for watching movies, etc. Apple plays a video featuring Jony Ive talking about the "magic"-ness of the iPad.

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"We've always tried to be at the intersection of technology and liberal arts -- we want to make the best tech, but have them be intuitive. It's the combination of these two things that have let us make the iPad," Steve Jobs concludes.

And that's a wrap!

Image credits: Engadget

Join us later, when we talk about how great and how not-so-great the iPad is, from various points of view.

Yes! By all means, do start the analysis yourselves in the comments. We thought you'd never ask.