Apple's iPad arrives

Consumer electronics and computer software company Apple launched its new tablet computer, the iPad, yesterday.

The device is designed for web browsing, emailing, viewing photos, watching videos, listening to music, playing games and reading ebooks.

Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple, said that the iPad "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, available late March, will come in to versions, one with Wi-Fi and one with both Wi-Fi and 3G.

The inclusion of Wi-Fi and 3G gives the iPad the potential to use IP telephony solutions, such as applications which allow it to perform similar functions to VoIP phones.

The iPad's 3G connection allows users to obtain speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps through HSDPA networks. Combined with the latest Wi-Fi, this should allow HD VoIP solutions to be used with the iPad.

IDC predicted the iPad's arrival last month, saying that it will help push the number of mobile devices accessing the internet by the end of 2010 up to one billion.