Apple eyes the e-book market as it unveils iPad

COMPUTER giant Apple launched its iPad device yesterday, claiming it bridged the gap between the laptop and the smartphone.

At a press conference in San Francisco, Apple’s chief executive, Steve Jobs, unveiled the black touchscreen tablet device designed for browsing the web, watching videos, sharing photos and reading e-books.

Apple declared it was entering the e-book market with its new iPad and has signed up with a host of publishers, including Penguin and Harper Collins.