Summary

First generation iPad, tablet computer, manufactured by the Apple Computer Company in USA, in 2010.

The iPad was used as a communication device and as an information retrieval device for accessing books, periodicals, movies, music, games, applications (apps) and web content. Similar to the iPhone and iPod Touch, the iPad is controlled by a multitouch display. It is larger than a smartphone and smaller than a laptop. The first iPad was released in April 2010 and over 15 million had been sold worldwide by the time the second generation iPad was introduced in March 2011.

This particular iPad was one of over 500 iPads, each then worth $629, distributed in June 2010 to eight Victorian schools as part of an initiative by the Victorian Government to trial the impact of iPads on student learning and communication, on the way teachers plan and deliver curriculum in the classroom and on the iPad's potential for learning in the future. The participating schools included the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School, which donated this iPad to Museum Victoria in 2012. The programme, utilising the iPad for learning in schools, was still inoperation at the time this item was donated to the Museum

Apple's first tablet computer was the Newton MessagePad 100, introduced in 1993.

This iPad and accompanying items are part of a representative collection of hardware, software, trade literature and promotional material that documents the history of the Apple Company and its contribution to, and impact on the computer industry and society.

Physical Description

iPad: rectangular silver metal case with thin curved sides and black framed screen on one of the larger sides. There are various connectors and inputs on three of the sides and a push button centred at the 'top' of the screen The following items accompany the iPad - Original cardboard box - white, rectangular, with fitted storage for iPad. mains adaptor, mains plug, mains cord and information packet - Connection cord with testing tag - Cardboard information packet - instruction card, product information guide, and Apple logo stickers - Padded zipped case, black outside, orange inside - issued with the trial product (not made by Apple) - White mains cord with connectors - White mains plug - White mains plug adapter - Photos of launch in June 2010

Significance

Apple is well known for making technology intuitive and attractively packaged for a mass clientele. Apple did not necessarily create the innovation but they popularised it. They did this with the touchscreen and mp3, and now it has been done with the iPad.

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