Beyond the iPad

There's little we can add to Apple's own iPad announcement, except to confirm a worldwide launch in late March for WiFi only models, and April for WiFi+3G versions.

Snazzy as it looks, the internal memory seems limited, with the US$629 entry-level Wi-Fi+3G model having just 16GB of internal memory. This rises to 64GB for the US$829 model, or you can pay US$499 for 16GB in the Wi-Fi only configuration. No Australian pricing is yet available.

Meanwhile Electronista has spotted an interesting patent filing from Apple which could take the touch out of touchscreens. The patent describes a more accurate version of the proximity detection currently used to shut down a touchscreen when raised to your ear. By combining distance proximity with an accurate X, Y coordinate for the likely finger position, commands can be recognised before a finger touches the screen, activating icons or a scrollwheel as virtual controls operated without the need for physical touch. 

The patent includes the possibility for multi-hand virtual touch, plus touch systems that make more use of force level as well as position.

Of course Apple has filed hundreds of patents for which the technology described has never been implemented.