At today’s highly-anticipated media event, Apple announced the iPad tablet device, featuring a 9.7-inch, 1024 x 768 display and 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB capacities. Carrying a custom 1 GHz “Apple A4″ chip, the iPad weighs in at 1.5 pounds and is .5-inch thin. The iPad will be priced at $499, $599, and $699 for the varying capacity models without 3G, and $629, $729, and $829 with 3G. Wi-Fi only models are scheduled to ship in 60 days, with 3G-capable model shipping in 90 days. A video preview is also available.

In terms of standard connectivity, the iPad offers Wi-Fi (802.11n) and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, with 3G models also offering cellular data connectivity. All iPad models have an accelerometer, compass, speakers, a microphone, and a 30-pin dock connector. The iPad also offers a claimed 10 hours of battery life for viewing video, with 1 month of standby battery life.

Models with 3G will be unlocked and will be able to use GSM micro SIMs. In the U.S., AT&T will offer two data plan options ? $14.99 for up to 250 MB per month and $29.99 per month for unlimited data. No contract is required for either option, and free access to AT&T’s Wi-Fi hot spots is included. Data packages for iPad users outside of the U.S. will by in place by June.

The iPad will have standard apps for personal information management, including an address book and calendar, along with e-mail, Safari, Google Maps, and Notes. A special version of iTunes is also on board to provide an optimized browsing experience on the device’s 9.7-inch screen.

Apple also released a mobile version of iWork called iWork’ 10. It comes with almost all the features of the the desktop version of iWork and more with the multitouch is built right into it. It is available in the App Store as an app costing $10. Also the iPad supports the ePub format which is a standard for writers to sell their work in electronic form. The iBook reader app allows you to buy eBooks starting from $4.99 to $14.99 for the latest and bestsellers. The app looks like a shelf with the books placed on it, select a book and start reading. Although eye strain due to reading on the LCD could be a problem.

Engadget and Gizmodo have both posted early hands-on impressions of Apple’s new iPad tablet, having had the chance to play with the device after today’s media event in San Francisco.

Both reviews rave about the iPad’s speed, calling it “blazingly fast” with no lagging at any point. Responsiveness of the system and applications, as well as loading of web pages, is seen as excellent by those who have handled the device. The 1024 x 768 screen is also well-regarded in both reviews, described as “stunning” with the ability to show small text “crisply”.

Reports on the feel of the device are mixed, however, with Engadget calling it “not light” and “pretty weighty” and Gizmodo calling it “substantial but surprisingly light”. Notable drawbacks experienced in the few minutes of testing include the lack of Flash, multitasking, and camera. Also noted is the lack of “razor sharp” graphics for scaled up iPhone applications, although it seems to be a decent solution to allow Apple to offer immediate full-screen compatibility for existing iPhone applications.