MacRumors

The teardown experts at iFixit have been busy with the iPad over the past few days, beginning with an analysis of internal photos of the device posted to the FCC's website last Friday and continuing with a teardown of the actual device on Saturday.

Late yesterday, iFixit announced that it had partnered with chip reverse engineering firm Chipworks to open up the iPad's A4 chip, the custom Apple solution that serves as the brains of the device. The project, which is documented in a full iFixit-style teardown, involved both x-ray imaging of the iPad's components and physical cross-sectioning of the A4 chip.

According to the report, the analysis confirms that the chip utilizes a single-core processor, likely the Cortex A8, in a "package-on-package" design that offers Apple the flexibility of separate layers for the microprocessor and the integrated RAM.

There's nothing revolutionary here. In fact, the A4 is quite similar to the Samsung processor Apple uses in the iPhone. The primary focus of this design was minimizing power consumption and cost.

The full Chipworks teardown offers a number of interesting photos of the process used to crack open and examine tiny components like the A4 and confirms much of what has already been determined from iFixit's larger-scale teardown and software methods.

TechCrunch reports that it has received information claiming that Apple is set to roll out support for Facebook Connect in iTunes, making it easier for users to share items and information with their friends and extending the social aspects of the iTunes Store to broaden its reach.

It certainly adds up. Over the last few weeks, iTunes has been building out its Facebook Page at Facebook.com/iTunes, which now includes polls, featured items, and is being promoted in iTunes itself. And Lala, which was acquired by Apple in December, has extensive experience working with Facebook Connect (they also power Facebook's song gifting feature).

Apple introduced Facebook and Twitter sharing to the iTunes Store with the release of iTunes 9 last September, but TechCrunch notes that Facebook Connect integration would bring more powerful tools for enhancing the social aspects of the iTunes Store.

With the iPad's U.S. release to the masses on Saturday, several complaints have arisen from users experiencing difficulties with their new devices. Two of the highest-profile complaints in the early days have been weak Wi-Fi signals and confusion over USB charging of the device.

Apple's discussion forums have received a significant amount of activity regarding the Wi-Fi issue, which typically results in users receiving a significantly lower signal than computers or iPhones held in the same location relative to the access point. The reduced signal is resulting in slower performance and smaller range for many of these users. Users have also reported seeing significant fluctuations in signal.

Speculation has centered around the iPad's external shell and power-saving measures as possible reasons for the Wi-Fi performance issues. While Apple has strategically placed the iPad's Wi-Fi antennas to provide optimal reception, the device's aluminum rear enclosure almost certainly shields reception to some degree. Additionally, some users have wondered whether Apple is supplying reduced power to the Wi-Fi hardware as part of its power-saving techniques that have enabled the iPad to meet or exceed its stated 10-hour battery life in many cases. Regardless of the cause, Apple has yet to comment on the Wi-Fi situation, although it has in the past quietly addressed similar issues through software updates when possible.

A second issue experienced by users has been difficulty with charging the iPad via USB. A number of users have discovered that their iPads refuse to charge when connected to USB ports on some computers, an issue that Apple has stated is due to the required power draw for the device. In a support document posted on the issue, Apple recommends that users charge their iPads by using either the included power outlet adapter or high-power USB 2.0 ports.

When attached to a computer via a standard USB port (most PCs or older Mac computers) iPad will charge, but only when it's in sleep mode. Make sure your computer is on while charging iPad via USB. If iPad is connected to a computer thats turned off or is in sleep or standby mode, the iPad battery will continue to drain.

The iPad's charging demand stems from its large battery that drives a significantly hungrier device than most mobile handhelds users are accustomed to charging via USB. Consequently, lower-power USB ports have difficulty keeping up with the iPad's draw, especially when the device is not in sleep mode.

Gizmodo reports that Apple has sent out media invitations for a preview event scheduled for this Thursday, April 8th, to show off iPhone OS 4.0. The event is scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM Pacific Time in the Town Hall on Apple's Cupertino, California campus.

Reports of iPhone OS 4.0 features began to surface in January ahead of the iPad media event, but the software was not included in that presentation. At the time, claims of new multi-touch gesture support, multitasking, and a user interface refresh were making the rounds. Multitasking has been the focus of a number of subsequent reports, with a recent one noting that iPhone OS 4.0 will carry an implementation similar to that of Expos in Mac OS X. Other rumored features include a unified inbox for multiple email accounts and the ability to place contacts directly on the home screen.

Evidence of iPhone OS 4.0 in testing appeared late last year, and the new operating system is presumed to be introduced alongside new iPhone hardware sometime in the June-July timeframe.

A MacRumors forum poster points to a report (Google translation) from Taiwanese newspaper Apple Daily that appears to claim that new MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air models are due for launch sometime this month.

While the Google translation leaves much to be desired in the way of clarity, the report seems to indicate that new models were planned for introduction in March but shortages of Intel's new chips pushed the launch back to this month. The report also claims that Apple will be pushing all three sizes of the MacBook to a maximum of 640 GB hard drives with 8-hour battery performance across the board. The remainder of the report primarily focuses on suppliers, with Quanta and Hon Hai (Foxconn) targeted for assembly of the devices and Innolux and AU Optronics being tapped for LCD panels.

Updates to Apple's MacBook Pro line have been widely expected for several months, although reports of possible release plans have become less frequent in recent weeks as attention has shifted to the iPad. Apple's MacBook Air is similarly due for an update, as it was last refreshed in June alongside the new MacBook Pros. The MacBook was last updated in October and thus has not necessarily been viewed as ready for an update, but we are beginning to approach its typical refresh window as well.

Boy Genius Report noted over the weekend that Apple's new iPhone OS 3.2 released with the iPad contains references to four new iPhone OS devices. While the new listings, which appear to correspond to two new iPhones, an iPod touch, and an iPad, are not terribly surprising given Apple's product development timelines, they still provide reassurance of the company's future plans.

On the iPhone front, the iPhone OS 3.2 configuration file contains references to "iPhone3,2" and "iPhone3,3", two previously-undocumented iPhone devices. The iPhone 3GS currently carries the designation "iPhone2,1", and a successor "iPhone3,1" was discovered in a similar configuration file in March 2009. That device appears to have begun field testing last November and is expected to be released later this year. It is unknown how the newly-revelaled iPhone models relate to the "iPhone3,1" model currently in testing.

The current iPod touch carries a designation of "iPod3,1", and the new entry presumably refers to the next-generation model set for launch in the September timeframe if previous releases are any indication.

The first "iProd" entry showed up in March 2009 as "iProd0,1", which appeared to designate a prototype device. A new "iProd1,1" entry showed up last August that, as many had assumed, did turn out to be the iPad. While the listing has since been updated to be called "iPad1,1", the new "iProd2,1" listing is of course being considered as a possible next-generation iPad.

Apple announced this morning that they had sold over 300,000 iPads on the first day. The sales included deliveries of pre-ordered iPads as well as direct sales at Apple Retail Stores and shipments to channel partners. Apple also announced that over one million apps from Apple's App Store and 250,000 ebooks from the iBookstore were downloaded.

"It feels great to have the iPad launched into the world -- it's going to be a game changer," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "iPad users, on average, downloaded more than three apps and close to one book within hours of unpacking their new iPad."

The announcement of official numbers reveal that analyst predictions reported on Saturday were off by a factor of two.

Alongside the iPad launch on Saturday was the launch of a several thousand new iPad apps with many more coming. Developer interest in the iPad has been strong, and it will be interesting to see the direction of the apps over time. We can't cover them all, but here are a collection of useful and/or interesting ones that we've run across (with videos):

With the iPad now in the hands on developers and consumers. we finally get a peek into the internal hardware and performance of the device.

Early benchmarks from the device show that the iPad is about twice as fast as the iPhone 3GS when running native applications. The speed up appears to be entirely focused within Apple's A4 processor, as it appears the iPad shares the same PowerVR SGX 535 GPU and same 256MB RAM found in the iPhone 3GS. Early hardware teardown reports had claimed 512MB of RAM but these have later been corrected. 256MB of RAM also corresponds to the available RAM the system reports to apps.

According to IO Registry Tree dumps, it's also apparent that the Apple's A4 processor is based on a single core Cortex A8 design rather than the new Cortex A9. In fact, running at 1GHz, the A4 sounds similar to the Samsung Hummingbird ARM processor. Readers may remember that Intrinsity is the company behind that processor. Intrinsity is believed to have been recently acquired by Apple.

The Loop reports that Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster has released a report estimating first-day iPad sales in the range of 600,000-700,000, well above his pre-launch estimates of 200,000-300,000.

Piper Jaffray Senior Research Analyst, Gene Munster, on Saturday said he believes Apple sold between 600-700 thousand iPads on the first day. This includes the pre-orders that would have been coming in since March 12.

It is unclear from the report exactly what data Munster based his estimate upon beyond an observation of 730 customers in line at the company's flagship Fifth Avenue location in New York City, up from 350 for the iPhone 3GS launch and 540 for the iPhone 3G.

Some observers have claimed that the iPad is poised to outsell the original iPhone over the initial few months of sales, and given that the iPhone took 74 days to reach one million units sold, Munster's estimate places the iPad well on its way to that goal.

Today's launch was also limited to Wi-Fi models and to the United States. 3G-capable models in the U.S. and all models in a number of other countries are set for launch later this month, undoubtedly setting the stage for another burst of sales.

As today's launch progresses, iPads are starting to get into the hands of many across the U.S. As we get settled with our own iPads, here are a few first impressions:

- The iPad feels very substantial in the hand. At 1.5 lbs, it takes a bit of getting used to compared to an iPhone or Kindle.
- The screen is bright and crisp with wide viewing angles. Despite the oleophobic coating, it collects and shows fingerprints more than expected.
- The Apple logo on the back is black with a smooth finish, not with a chromed finish like on the iPhone 3GS.
- The iPad must be connected to iTunes in order to set it up. Out of the box, it shows a connect to iTunes screen (you must have iTunes 9.1).
- Set-up via iTunes is similar to that of the iPhone, allowing you to select the apps and media content to be synced to the iPad.
- The capacitive touchscreen is fast and responsive. Screen orientation changes take place almost instantly.
- The on-screen keyboard in portrait orientation is usable with two thumbs but the middle keys will be a bit of a stretch for those with smaller hands. The keys are nice and large so it's hard to miss the intended key and the predictive entry also found on the iPhone helps as well.
- Typing with two thumbs in landscape orientation is much harder and a case or some other way to prop it up to see the screen while typing with two hands is the best approach.
- Apps not yet optimized for the iPad are usable in 2x mode but leave much to be desired. iPad-optimized apps are really where it's going to be.
- Sound out of the iPad's speaker is richer and louder than expected and is sufficient for watching a movie in a quiet environment.
- The standard apps have been adapted very well to the iPad's larger screen. The iTunes Store and the App Store are a pleasure to browse on the iPad.

Just us in our iPad forum for questions/discussion. Meanwhile, other reader first impressions are still being collected in this thread.

TouchArcade is covering iPad gaming in detail, while AppShopper has a running list of iPad apps and discounts.

Apple stores opened at 9am this morning to start selling the iPad to customers. Some forum readers are starting to post impressions and photos in this forum thread. Meanwhile, iFixit already has one that they are disassembling.

Here are some instructions and tidbits we'll be gathering and updating over time:

- First impressions/delivery forum thread
- MacRumors' iPad forum for further discussion
- Video of iPad unveiling at Apple Store.
- Apple posted instructions on how to set up MobileMe on iPad
- "Get Started" guide and User Guide (PDF)
- Apple's iPad Case and the iPad Dock are incompatible with each other.

Apple has updated their website with a large banner declaring "iPad is Here". Apple has posted hands on videos with several of the launch applications including The Elements, Marvel Comics, The Wall Street Journal, Epicurious, At Bat 2010 and several more.

Today is iPad launch day. MacRumors forum readers awaiting their UPS shipments for the iPads are following this thread as they await delivery, while those actually going to a local retail store are meeting up with others.

We'll have coverage of the iPad launch, impressions and more as the day progresses.

While you Wait - Here are some Free apps to download to test out your new iPad

- Adobe Ideas for iPad - Adobe Ideas is your digital sketchbook, letting you capture and explore ideas anywhere you go.
- iBooks - iBooks is an amazing way to download and read books, designed exclusively for iPad.
- USA Today for iPad - The latest news stories, scores, weather and photos you've come to expect from USA TODAY are now available in a beautiful new way, on your iPad.
- ABC Player - Watch your most loved ABC shows for free on the ABC.com Full Episode Player for the iPad!
- AIM for iPad - AIM is redefining social networking add a location to your status, post to your favorite social networks or chat directly with your Facebook friends.
- NYT Editors' Choice - Enjoy the award-winning journalism of The New York Times with the unique functionality and navigation of the iPad.
- Twitterific for iPad - Twitterrific is the friendly, award-winning Twitter client that's beautiful to look at, easy to use and full of elegant features.
- Harbor Master HD - Enjoy the best selling game Harbor Master on the beautiful big screen of the iPad.
- Smiles HD - SMILES HD is all new and redesigned for the iPad. It's based on SMILES, the award winning strategic puzzle and arcade matching-game.
- Labyrinth 2 HD Lite - The sequel to the original labyrinth game is available for your iPad, now with new levels fitted perfectly for the bigger screen.

Netflix's blog reveals that they are indeed working on an iPhone version of their app that allows subscribers to stream video to their mobile device:

Steve Swasey, VP of Corporate Communications, here. Terrific response to our news today about Netflix on the iPad. For those of you asking whether Netflix will be on the iPhone and iPod Touch: We wouldn't invite you to dinner without planning to serve dessert. In other words, we're working on it so stay tuned.

Netflix generated a lot of headlines when news of their iPad app was revealed on April 1st. No word on when the iPhone version will become available.

Just in time for the iPad's release tomorrow, Apple has approved an update to Amazon's Kindle application to include support for the iPad (iTunes link).

The Kindle app is optimized for the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch, providing users the ability to read Kindle books using a beautiful, easy-to-use interface. You can discover and read over 450,000 books in the Kindle Store, including the latest best sellers and new releases. You can also read your Kindle books on your Mac, PC, BlackBerry, Kindle, and Kindle DX. Amazon Whispersync automatically syncs your last page read, bookmarks, notes, and highlights across all of your devices, so you can pick up right where you left off no matter what device you are reading on.

Notably, the app is a "universal" application, meaning the same application can be used across all iPhone OS devices including the iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.

Amazon had previously announced that it was preparing an iPad-optimized version of it's Kindle software, which will now compete with Apple's iBook application.

The iPad goes on sale tomorrow at 9:00 am at Apple's U.S. retail stores.