Happy Anniversary, iPad: 7 Years Ago Today, Steve Jobs First Unveiled the Iconic Tablet

Exactly seven years ago today, Former Apple CEO Steve Jobs first introduced the iPad at a 2010 media event.

The original iPad was a device with a 9.7-inch screen. At launch, it ran on Apple’s A4 chip and was available in 16-, 32- and 64-gigabyte models. Two versions launched in the wake of January 2010’s media event: a Wi-Fi only model that rolled out on April 3, and a Wi-Fi and 3G version that debuted on April 30.

A video of the iPad’s unveiling can be seen below.

“iPad is our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price,” Steve Jobs said at the event. “iPad creates and defines an entirely new category of devices that will connect users with their apps and content in a much more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before.”

During the debut, Jobs also showed off impressive new apps like iBooks — which impressed with its skeuomorphic design — and a new suite of iWork apps tailored for a tablet platform. The original iPad was lauded for its stunning screen and blazingly fast operation. Unlike the netbooks of the era, the iPad managed to fuse incredible technology with many design features borrowed from the company’s iPhone.

Initial criticisms of the original iPad stemmed from its heavy weight, the lack of flash and multitasking in its OS, and no camera. Obviously, as Cupertino released newer and updated iPads, it addressed many if not all of these complaints. While Apple’s current flagship tablet, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, is about the same weight as the original iPad, it’s thinner and much more powerful.

While that original iPad blazed trails and introduced a new class of device to Apple’s ecosystem, its latest iterations might look little like their earliest ancestor. For example, this year’s much-rumored 10.5-inch iPad Pro is largely expected to ditch the iconic home button, as well as feature an edge-to-edge display and significantly reduced bezels.