Apple’s tablet-style iPad debuts in San Francisco

Apple debuts tablet-style iPad

SAN FRANCISCO — Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduced the iPad as the company’s “latest creation,” saying the tablet-style device is more intimate than laptop.

Jobs made the appearance Wednesday in his trademark jeans and black turtleneck and opened with a history and update on Apple mobile devices.

Analysts say a tablet-style computer can help people watch videos, surf the Web, play games and read electronic books.

But that means Apple would have to show why consumers ought to pay for yet another Internet-connected screen, on top of the TVs, computers and smart phones they already have. Tablet computers have existed for a decade, with little success.