At today’s highly-anticipated media event, Apple finally announced the tablet device they’ve been working for years and years, the Apple iPad, featuring a 9.7′ LED-backlit, IPS display (in-plane switching) with resolution of 1024 x 768 plus flash storage of 16 GB, 32 GB, and 64 GB It should be no surprised to anyone that the iPad’s day has come, even though one could expect more or less!

Hardware
iPad equipped with a custom-designed yet low-power 1 GHz “Apple A4″ chip which gives very fast performance (reviewed by Gizmodo). It weighs in at 1.5 pounds and is 0.5-inch thin (slightly thicker than iPhone 3GS). First hands-on by Engadget and Gizmodo said: it’s lightweight, it’s thin, and it’s beautiful. The screen is crisp and gorgeous, feels like a giant iPhone

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. No USB, no camrea, no HDMI, no DVI, not even a Mini DisplayPort The iPad also offers a claimed 10 hours of battery life for viewing video, with 1 month of standby battery life.

Software
The iPad runs iPhone OS 3.2 with built-in standard apps for personal information management, including Address Book, Calendar, E-mail, Safari, Google Maps, and Notes. A special version of iTunes and iWork are on board to provide an optimized experience on the device’s 9.7-inch screen. Apple also unveiled new app called iBooks featuring a 3D virtual bookshelf with a user’s personal collection. It will contains a link to the iBookstore which allows users to purchase and download books from a variety of publishers.

Other apps can be brought from Apple Online Store, just like how you download and sync for iPhone before.


Note: there will be no multitasking at all, which mean no video streaming while you are working on iPad. No Flash too. And the iBooks app might work only in the US

Pricing
Depends on model and capacity, the iPad starts from $ 499. 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 250MB/month and $29.99/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.

Accessories include dock, case, connection kits:

The iPad first edition is obviously neither a netbook killer nor a tablet for work, you are likely buying a big iPod Touch + Kindle indeed. It’s not a wow for me too. The next revision might have multitasking, but it’s yet to come. Personally I would feel my eyes now are on the 32Gb Wifi iPad ^^ Whether Steve’s true about ‘the most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price‘ or not, we need to wait till late March for worldwide availability to confirm

As much as I love Hollywood movies, I also follow the Hong Kong market closely for new films and I must say it never lets me down Exquisite taste, creative storyline, intellectual dialogs, excellent actions, amazing casts, beautiful scenes, …, you name it; some of them went even beyond what one could describe, simply speechless ^^ This decade presents you many great films that should not be missed, let’s should not waste any more time and start rolling the below list (movies are listed in no particular order). The post’s inspired by LoveHKFilm too

Infernal Affairs Trilogy – Vô Gian Đạo (2002, 2003): undoubtedly by far is the best movie ever about undercover cops and the dark gangster world in Hong Kong plus mainland China.

Exiled (2006)

Kungfu Hustle (2004)

Election I – II (2005 – 2006)

Hero – Anh hùng (2002)

One Nite in Mongkok (2004)

Running on Karma (2003)

Seven Swords – Thất kiếm (2005)

S.P.L – Sát Phá Lang (2005)

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon – Ngọa Hổ Tàng Long (2000)

P.T.U (Police Tactical Unit) (2003)

Red Cliff – Xích Bích đại chiến <2008>

Throwdown (2004)

IP Man – Diệp Vấn <2008>

Naked Weapon – Vũ khí khiêu gợi (2002)

Fearless – Hoắc Nguyên Giáp (2006)

Lust, Caution – Sắc giới (2007)

Sparrow (2004)

A Battle of Wits – Binh pháp Mặc Công (2006)

New Police Story (2004)

Wait Till You’re Older (2005)

Protégé – Môn Đồ (2007)

The Banquet – Dạ Yến (2006)

Isabella (2006)

Curse of the Golden Flower – Hoàng Kim Giáp (2006)

Flash Point (2007)

The Warlords – Đầu danh trạng (2007)

Initial D (2005)

So Close (2003)

Triangle (2007)

Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon – Tam Quốc Chí <2008>

Confession of Pain (2006)

A World Without Thieves – Thiên hạ vô tặc (2004)

Wo Hu (2006)

House of Flying Daggers – Thập diện mai phục (2004)

Invisible Target (2007)

The Sun Also Rises (2007)

Shinjuku Incident – Sự biến Shinjuku (2009)

The Way We Are <2008>

Overheard – Thiết thính phong vân (2009)

Accident (2009)

Bodyguards and Assassins – Thập nguyệt vi thành (2009)

Vengeance (2009)

I.C.A.C – I Corrupt All Cops (2009)

(To be updated)

Collection for Part 9 includes: Lake Mungo, Iron Man 2, Oceans, Legion, Kick Ass, From Paris with Love, The Lightning Thief, Twilight Saga: Eclipse, The Broken, Inception, The Girlfriend Experience, The Age of Stupid, The Book of Eli, Daybreakers, The Boondock Saints II, Clash of the Titans, Aroga, American’s Next Top Model, Mad Men, Criss Angel Mindfreak, Being Erica, Sons of Anarchy, Supernatural, and Desperate Housewives. Some of them are coming to cinema this year, and some are winning the 2010 Golden Globe

(To be continue)