Apple officially introduces the $499 iPad tablet

Apple introduces a single-button, tablet-style iPad, which features an onscreen keyboard.

Our colleagues at Technology Live say the device is 0.5 inches thin and weights 1.5 pounds, thinner and lighter than any netbook.

It has a 9.7-inch IPS (high quality) display and full capacity multi-touch screen. The device is powered by Apple's own custom silicon chip.

The iPad will be available with 16 GB, 32 GB or 64 GB of Flash storage. It will also include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a speaker, microphone, compass and 30-pin connector to plug into iPod accessories.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs, who introduced the iPad at an event in San Francisco, says prices for the iPad will start at $499 for the 16GB, $599 for the 32GB and $699 for the 64GB.