Summary Box: Highly anticipated Apple iPad tablet

?: The iPad is larger in size but similar in design to Apple's popular iPhone. It has a 9.7-inch touch screen and weighs 1.5 pounds, with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity built in and an option to use AT&T's 3G data network.

WHAT'S THE COST?: Prices start at $499, far below the $1,000 that some analysts were expecting. Versions with more memory cost $100 or $200 more. And models with 3G connectivity cost $130 on top of those prices. AT&T is offering data plans without contracts: $14.99 per month for 250 megabytes of data, or $29.99 for unlimited usage.

WHAT'S NEXT: The basic, non-3G version comes out in March. Apple will have to work to convince consumers who already have smart phones and laptops that they need this gadget, too.

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