"iPad is our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price," said Jobs. "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."

Applications developed for the iPad from The New York Times and electronic games company Electronic Arts Inc were introduced at the event.

Jobs also introduced a new app called iBooks, saying consumers could purchase e-books from large publishers in the iBooks store including Penguin, HaperCollins, Simon&Schuster, Macmillan and Hachette Book Group.

Two data plans from AT&T in the US were also announced with US$14.99 per month for 250 megabytes of data and US$29.99 for unlimited data usage.

According to the financial report released on Monday, the Cupertino-based company rocketed to most profitable period for its fiscal 2010 first quarter ended December 26, posting revenue of US$15.68 billion and a net quarterly profit of US$3.38 billion. Gross margin was 40.9 percent, up from 37.9 percent in the year- ago quarter.

(Xinhua News Agency January 28, 2010)