Apple has the tech(nical) spec(ification)s for the iPad up now.
This gives us some interesting information.
Languages
One of the complaints that Kindleers have had is the lack of support for many languages.
The iPad says it supports Russian, Simplified Chinese, and Japanese…three for which I’ve seen repeated requests.
It also says it has “Dictionary support” for those…suggesting it, well, has a dictionary. 
Accessibility
They say it has a VoiceOver screen reader. Not too much of a surprise…Macs have had text-to-speech for a long time. That doesn’t mean it necessarily works with book files, though, and the blocking that has been applied by some publishers in the Kindle store may work with the iPad as well.
They mention it will go “white on black”, which may help people who find the Kindle’s contrast too low.
Document types
They call these “Mail attachment support”: .jpg, .tiff, .gif (images); .doc and .docx (Microsoft Word); .htm and .html (web pages); .key (Keynote); .numbers (Numbers); .pages (Pages); .pdf (Preview and Adobe Acrobat); .ppt and .pptx (Microsoft PowerPoint); .txt (text); .rtf (rich text format); .vcf; .xls and .xlsx (Microsoft Excel)
GPS
Yep…and a “digital compass”.
Sensors
Yes, to automatic landscape. It says it has an “ambient light sensor”. That’s an interesting term…does is adjust how bright it makes the screen?
Well, that’s a few highlights. I’d love to see something more on the iBooks part…soon, I’d think.
This post by Bufo Calvin originally appeared in the I Love My Kindle blog
January 28, 2010 at 5:42 am |
MacBooks have had a light sensor for a model or two now. And yes, depending on the light hitting the sensor, the screen gets brighter or darker.
January 28, 2010 at 6:21 pm |
Thanks for writing, Goldarn!
Good to know…
I’ve used Macs, but I’m not an expert by any means.
January 28, 2010 at 9:10 am |
I’m curious about the iPad also, but it’s out of my price range. Besides I prefer the Kindle for reading and I do not have a need for all the other functions that the iPad has. I just read this on Gizmodo http://i.gizmodo.com/5458382/8-things-that-suck-about-the-ipad a few of the things on there really surprised me. Mainly not being able to run more than one ap, which means you can not run the iTunes ap while browsing the web or reading a book. I just don’t why they would do that.
January 28, 2010 at 6:17 pm |
Are you changing to iPad?
January 28, 2010 at 6:25 pm |
Marcelo, thanks for writing!
Nope, the iPad’s not at all right for me. I could see having one for when I might otherwise have a laptop with me, but I like the “lightness” of the Kindle for reading. I love having the long battery life and the look of the E Ink. I use a K2, and I’d also be concerned about the size.
Plus, I’m not a big fan of monthly payments. I did the lifetime single payment on my Tivo as well.