Apple had kept its'latest creation' tightly under wraps until wednesday's displaying, though many researchers had correctly speculated that it would be an one-piece tablet PC with an enormous touch sensitive screen, larger than an iPhone but smaller than a laptop.

The chairman demonstrated the way the iPad is employed for surfing the Web with Apple's Safari browser. He typed an e-mail using an on-screen keyboard and flipped thru photograph albums by flicking his finger across the screen. And he showed off a new electronic book store, putting the iPad competing with Amazon.com Inc.'s Kindle and other e-book readers.

jobs declared the iPad also will be better for playing games and watching video than either a laptop or a smart phone. The iPad comes with software including a calendar, maps, a video player and iPod software for playing music. All have been slightly re-designed to exploit the iPad's bigger screen.

Tablet computers have existed for ten years, with little success. Roles recognized Apple will have to work to convince buyers who've already got smart telephones and PCs that they need this gizmo.