The answer is $260. That is how much it costs Apple to manufacture an iPad device. That also means that Apple makes at least $240 every time someone has purchased an iPad — this is interesting to note, because it reveals that the iPad could have been priced even cheaper. Much cheaper. Apple still would have made a nice chunk of change, either way. However, we know that Apple marks up their products because they are considered “luxury” items, but it doesn’t seem quite right considering how much Apple claimed that they wanted everyone to own one of these things. After all, Apple is making a killing from…

What do you do with a device that isn’t quite so useful? You throw it away! Okay, so you are not going to do that to your iPad, so we have an alternative: you could, quite literally, shelve it. Now we’re talking. The iBookend (again, with these “i” names), is a concept design by Dominic Wilcox that actually makes the iPad a useful device, and it is quite fitting as well. The iBookend would allow you to store your iPad in a book shelf and use it as a stand for your books. Quite handy. If only this accessory became reality… I would, only then, have a reason for buying the iPad, or not! [via LikeCool]…

Analysts Gartner have churned the waters of their scrying pool and apparently decreed that by 2015, at least 50% of people under the age of 15 who have computers purchased for them, will be recipients of touchscreens. Meanwhile, I’m sitting here typing on an ‘old school’ keyboard and feeling like a total dinosaur. The good news for me is that apparently 90% of business computers by the 2015 projection will still be old, reliable mouse-and-keyboard units. Which is dandy, because frankly, I’m not buying this whole touchscreen ballyhoo just yet, even if it is hip with the kids. Especially if…

If there is one thing that is clear, it is that the iPad has the hype. But it is also clear that it is not as great as we all imagined, and, even then, some think it isn’t particularly great at all. I have my reservations about the iPad too. However, instead of just listing reasons why we like or dislike the iPad, I wanted to offer people a look at some amazing devices that will make the iPad irrelevant — sure, the iPad will always be relevant because it is an Apple product (and Apple has devout fans). But the following gadgets will blow the iPad away in more ways than one. They are remarkable….

For those of you not content to wait until Apple rolls out the iPad keyboard, or those of you who don’t want to pay the price they are certain to charge for it, the tech gods at Tipb have unveiled a tutorial video that illustrates how to use a Bluetooth keyboard with your iPad. The only thing that your Bluetooth needs is a “Human Interface Device” mode, and you are in business. Now bets are on as to how quickly Apple releases a “fix” to make sure that you can only use their keyboard… hopefully they’ll let this one slide. Early reports on the iPad keyboard have shown that some users do not prefer it over a traditional…

Want an iPad but don’t have the $499+ to spend on one? Don’t worry if you don’t because I certainly can’t afford one. For all of us less-than-rich folks, we might be able to enjoy something similar.. at a significantly lower price. The PixelPad is a new product being offered at a much lower price compared to the iPad. People won’t have to break the bank because of their need for shiny, new electronics. Instead, designers and developers can purchase this handy tool in packages starting at $24.00, 49.00 and $99.00. All include at least 1 pad, 1 refill, 1 Sharpie marker and a few other pens ready for sketching….

The WritePad is an iPad application that identifies a person’s handwriting. The WritePad allows users to write down information in their own handwriting with their finger or using the iPad pen. The handwriting application will learn a person’s handwriting over time. WritePad can do things that a notebook can’t. The WritePad can do simple tasks that you would find in a Microsoft Word program such as select text, copy, cut, paste, insert special characters, spelling and grammar check and auto-corrector. WritePad also comes with a Shorthand feature which allows users to do editing tasks,…

The iPad may be grabbing headlines everywhere today – it’s hard to find anyone talking about something else – but Apple’s made a few enemies on its way here, and now Nokia plans its own iPad killer, set to ship this fall. Rodman Renshaw analyst Ashok Kumar says Nokia is working with suppliers and design manufacturers on a touch-screen tablet. “Nokia hasn’t fielded any breakaway products in years,” he said as reported by The Street. “This is a new window, and Nokia had better be at the starting gate if and when the product category takes off,” he said….

As if the iPad and Netflix weren’t cool enough on their own! It was announced on April 2 that Netflix members will now be able to stream unlimited movies and t.v. episodes right to their iPad. Bored in class or at work? Stuck on the bus or train? Traveling for business or pleasure? Browse through everything that Netflix offers and you’ll be sure to find something that fits your mood, the genre you enjoy or just the right show or movie to pass the time.You can chose to watch the movie instantly but there’s also an option to save the title to a Queue for viewing at a later time or date. Netflix is the world’s largest…

The Apple iPad has been jailbroken according to notorious hacker, MuscleNerd, who published this video showing the achievement. A member of the infamous iPhone Dev Team, the developer took just one day to crack Apple security, which he managed through use of a variant of the existing iPhone OS 3.1.3 jailbreak. Most jailbreaks use vulnerabilities either in Safari or the OS itself to grant unrestricted access, this is thought to have been the M.O. for this break-in. What’s it mean? For most of us, not too much, but if you want to install software other than that available from the App Store then…