Introduced by Apple in 2010, the iPad is a line of tablet computers running on the iOS and iPadOS operating systems. The iPad family includes the original iPad series, along with flagship models such as the iPad Mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro.
1983: Steve Jobs' Vision of a Portable Computer
In 1983, Steve Jobs, Apple's co-founder and CEO, shared his vision of creating a highly portable computer, akin to a book, equipped with a radio link for seamless connectivity to databases and other computers. This vision foreshadowed the development of a device like the iPad.
1991: Jonathan Ive's Macintosh Folio Concept
In 1991, Jonathan Ive, Apple's chief design officer, conceived the Macintosh Folio, a stylus-based tablet concept. This early exploration of tablet design demonstrated Apple's longstanding interest in this form factor.
1993: Apple's Early Foray into Tablets: The Newton MessagePad
In 1993, under the leadership of CEO John Sculley, Apple introduced the Newton MessagePad, a pioneering device in the tablet-like PDA realm. However, its handwriting recognition feature faced criticism, leading to its eventual discontinuation under Steve Jobs' direction upon his return to Apple.
1998: Steve Jobs' Return and the Fate of Apple's Tablet Prototype
Upon Steve Jobs' return to Apple in 1998 following an internal power struggle, he made the decision to discontinue the Newton MessagePad. Additionally, a prototype tablet computer based on the PowerBook Duo was shelved to avoid competition with the MessagePad, despite showing promise.
2003: Quanta Leaks Apple's Orders for Wireless Displays
In 2003, Quanta, a manufacturer associated with Apple, leaked information about Apple's orders for wireless displays. This event sparked early speculation about Apple's potential development of a tablet-like device, setting the stage for future rumors and anticipation.
May 2004: Apple's European Design Trademark Filing
In May 2004, Apple took a significant step by filing a design trademark patent in Europe for a handheld computer. This move fueled speculation about the development of a device potentially resembling the iPad, especially considering earlier leaks from Apple manufacturer Quanta regarding orders for wireless displays.
2004: Project K48: Apple's Tablet Prototype
Building on earlier tablet concepts, Apple initiated Project K48 in 2004, focusing on the development of a larger tablet prototype. Despite Jonathan Ive's desire to prioritize the tablet, the decision was made to prioritize the iPhone's development and launch first.
May 2005: Apple's US Design Patent Filing
Further solidifying its interest in tablet technology, Apple filed US Design Patent No. D504,889 in May 2005. This patent included an intriguing illustration depicting a user interacting with a tablet-like device, hinting at Apple's ongoing exploration in this domain.
August 2008: Apple's Comprehensive Patent Application
August 2008 saw Apple submit a detailed 50-page patent application that further revealed its progress in tablet development. The application notably featured an illustration of hands engaging with a tablet computer through touch and gestures, underscoring Apple's focus on intuitive user experience.
September 2009: Taiwan Economic News Report on iPad Release
Citing industry sources, Taiwan Economic News reported in September 2009 that Apple's much-anticipated tablet computer was slated for a February 2010 release. While the actual announcement occurred earlier in January, this report highlighted the growing anticipation surrounding Apple's entry into the tablet market.
January 27, 2010: First Generation iPad Launch
On January 27, 2010, Apple introduced the first generation iPad, marking its official entry into the tablet market. This device ran on Apple's iOS operating system.
February 2010: Anticipated iPad Release Date
In February 2010, the tech world eagerly awaited the arrival of Apple's tablet computer, as reported by Taiwan Economic News based on industry insights. This date, though slightly off from the actual January announcement, reflected the intense speculation and excitement building up to the iPad's unveiling.
April 2010: First iPad Jailbreak
The first iPad was jailbroken in May 2010 using the Spirit jailbreak, allowing users to bypass Apple's restrictions and install unauthorized applications.
April 2010: Digital Rights Advocates Criticize iPad
In April 2010, digital rights advocates criticized the iPad for its restrictions on digital content, with some comparing it to a "gated community" due to Apple's control over applications and content.
May 2010: Spirit Jailbreak Released
In May 2010, the Spirit jailbreak was released for the iPad, running iOS version 3.1.2.
2010: iPad Operating System Introduction
The iPad was initially launched with the iPhone's iOS mobile operating system in 2010.
2010: iPad Recognized as a Top Invention
The original iPad received accolades in 2010, being named one of Time magazine's 50 Best Inventions of the Year and Popular Science's top gadget.
2010: First Generation iPad Impact
In 2010, the first generation iPad was widely praised for its innovative software and was recognized as a groundbreaking invention of the year.
2010: iPad Achieves Immediate Commercial Success
Following its launch in 2010, the iPad experienced rapid success and high sales figures, distinguishing itself from Apple's earlier product launches.
2010: Gorillaz Creates Album Using iPad
Damon Albarn of the band Gorillaz used an iPad to compose a significant portion of their 2010 album, "The Fall," while touring.
2010: Initial Value of Mobile-Office Application Market
In 2010, the mobile-office application market in North America was estimated at $1.76 billion.
March 2, 2011: Second Generation iPad Announcement
On March 2, 2011, Apple unveiled the second iteration of the iPad, showcasing significant improvements in design and performance. This updated version boasted a slimmer profile, being 33% thinner and 15% lighter than its predecessor. It was powered by the Apple A5 chip, a dual-core processor that delivered a substantial boost in speed.
March 2011: FAA Approves iPad for Cockpit Use
In March 2011, the FAA permitted the use of iPads in airplane cockpits, leading airlines like Alaska Airlines to replace paper manuals with the device.
July 2011: JailbreakMe 3.0 Released
July 2011 saw the release of JailbreakMe 3.0, a web-based tool that allowed users to jailbreak iOS versions 4.3 through 4.3.3 on their iPads.
2011: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Adopt iPads for Playbooks
In a pioneering move, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers became the first NFL team to replace printed playbooks with digital versions on iPad 2s in 2011.
March 7, 2012: Third Generation iPad Announcement
Apple announced the third generation iPad on March 7, 2012, introducing the high-resolution Retina Display to the iPad lineup. The inclusion of the Apple A5X chip with quad-core graphics further enhanced its performance capabilities.
May 25, 2012: Absinthe 2.0 Jailbreak Released
On May 25, 2012, Absinthe 2.0 was released, enabling users to jailbreak all iOS 5.1.1 devices, except the 32nm iPad 2 model.
October 23, 2012: Fourth Generation iPad Announcement
On October 23, 2012, Apple introduced the fourth generation iPad, featuring the powerful A6X chip, improved LTE and Wi-Fi connectivity, and enhanced camera capabilities. The rear-facing camera was upgraded to 5 megapixels and could record 1080p videos.
2012: Luna Sea Films Music Video Entirely on iPad
The music video for "Rouge," a 2012 single by the band Luna Sea, was notably filmed entirely using an iPad.
2012: iPad Market Share Declines
The iPad's global market share experienced a notable decline in the third quarter of 2012.
October 22, 2013: 2nd Generation iPad Mini Release
The second generation of iPad Mini was released on November 12, 2013, after its announcement on October 22, 2013.
2013: iPad Interference with Medical Devices
Concerns arose in 2013 regarding potential interference between the iPad 2's magnets and heart devices like pacemakers.
2013: Android Tablets Outsell iPads
In 2013, Android-based tablets surpassed iPads in terms of sales, marking a shift in the tablet market.
October 16, 2014: 3rd Generation iPad Mini Announcement
On October 16, 2014, Apple announced the third generation iPad Mini, featuring an A7 chip and a Retina display.
2014: Study Finds iPad 2 Can Cause Electromagnetic Interference
A 2014 study revealed that the iPad 2 had the potential to create electromagnetic interference affecting implantable cardioverter defibrillators.
September 9, 2015: 4th Generation iPad Mini Announcement and Release
On September 9, 2015, Apple announced and released the fourth generation iPad Mini, which featured the dual-core Apple A8 chip and a redesigned headphone jack.
2015: Projected Growth of Mobile-Office Application Market
By 2015, the mobile-office application market in North America was projected to reach $6.85 billion, driven in part by the use of iPads in workplaces.
2015: iPhone 6S Release
The iPhone 6S, released in 2015, introduced features that would later influence iPad development. Notably, its A9 chip and M9 motion coprocessor, recognized for enabling low-power processing, would be incorporated into subsequent iPad models, albeit without certain features like "Hey Siri" voice activation.
March 21, 2017: Fifth Generation iPad Announcement
On March 21, 2017, Apple announced the fifth generation iPad, featuring the A9 chip and M9 motion coprocessor, the same processors found in the 2015 iPhone 6S. Despite sharing the same processors, the fifth generation iPad did not include support for the always-on "Hey Siri" voice recognition.
June 5, 2017: 2nd Generation iPad Pro Announcement
The second generation iPad Pro, equipped with the A10X chip and capable of processing 120Hz HDR content, was announced on June 5, 2017.
March 27, 2018: Sixth Generation iPad Announcement
Apple announced the sixth generation iPad on March 27, 2018, powered by the A10 Fusion chip. This marked the first time a non-Pro iPad model supported the Apple Pencil, further blurring the lines between consumer and professional-grade iPads.
October 30, 2018: 3rd Generation iPad Pro Announcement
On October 30, 2018, Apple announced the third generation iPad Pro, the first in the iPad lineup to offer 1TB of storage and featuring the A12X Bionic chip. This marked the transition from Touch ID to Face ID for biometric authentication.
March 18, 2019: 5th Generation iPad Mini Announcement and Release
On March 18, 2019, Apple announced and released the fifth generation iPad Mini, featuring an A12 Bionic chip and a True Tone Retina display.
September 10, 2019: Seventh Generation iPad Announcement
On September 10, 2019, Apple announced the seventh generation iPad, featuring a slightly larger 10.2-inch Retina Display and support for the Smart Keyboard accessory. These enhancements positioned the iPad as a more versatile device for both work and leisure.
September 2019: iPadOS Introduction
In September 2019, Apple transitioned the iPad's operating system from iOS to a dedicated system named iPadOS. This new OS was designed to better utilize the iPad's hardware capabilities and offered an enhanced user interface tailored for larger screens.
September 2019: iPadOS Introduction
In September 2019, the iPad's operating system transitioned to iPadOS, a derivative of iOS specifically optimized for the iPad's features.
March 18, 2020: 4th Generation iPad Pro Announcement and Release
Apple announced and released the fourth generation iPad Pro on March 18, 2020. It featured the A12Z chip, faster Wi-Fi connectivity, a new ultra-wide camera, and enhanced audio capabilities.
September 15, 2020: Eighth Generation iPad Announcement
On September 15, 2020, Apple unveiled the eighth generation iPad, powered by the A12 Bionic chip, which significantly boosted performance compared to its predecessor. The inclusion of the Neural Engine opened up new possibilities for on-device machine learning applications.
April 20, 2021: 5th Generation iPad Pro Announcement
On April 20, 2021, Apple announced the fifth generation iPad Pro. Key features included the M1 chip, improved cameras with "Center Stage mode," and a Liquid Retina XDR display for the 12.9-inch model.
September 14, 2021: Ninth Generation iPad Announcement
On September 14, 2021, Apple launched the ninth generation iPad. Powered by the A13 Bionic chip, this iteration boasted a faster CPU and GPU, an upgraded 12-megapixel ultra-wide front camera that supported Apple's "Center Stage Mode," and a Retina Display enhanced with True Tone technology for automatic screen color temperature adjustment.
September 24, 2021: 6th Generation iPad Mini Announcement and Release
On September 24, 2021, Apple announced and released the sixth generation of the iPad Mini. It featured the A15 Bionic chip, Center Stage Mode for its Ultra-Wide front camera, a USB-C port, and a brighter Liquid Retina display.
2021: iPad Holds 34.6% Market Share
By the third quarter of 2021, the iPad had rebounded to capture a 34.6% share of the global tablet market.
2021: iPad Market Share
By the third quarter of 2021, the iPad had secured a significant share of the tablet market, holding 34.6%. Its use expanded beyond personal consumers, finding applications in various sectors such as business, education, healthcare, and technology.
March 8, 2022: 5th Generation iPad Air Announcement
The fifth generation of the iPad Air, featuring the M1 chip, was announced on March 8, 2022.
October 18, 2022: 10th Generation iPad Announced
On October 18, 2022, Apple announced the 10th generation iPad, featuring the A14 Bionic chip, a larger 10.9-inch screen, and a USB-C port. This model also notably moved the front-facing camera to the landscape edge, a first for the iPad lineup.
May 7, 2024: 6th Generation iPad Air Announcement
The sixth generation of the iPad Air, powered by the M2 chip, was announced on May 7, 2024. Notably, it's the first iPad Air to offer both 11-inch and 13-inch display options.
May 15, 2024: 6th Generation iPad Air Release
The sixth generation of the iPad Air was released on May 15, 2024.