Apple's first tablet computer was the Newton MessagePad 100,[16][17] introduced in 1993, which led to the creation of the ARM6 processor core withAcorn Computers. Apple also developed a prototype PowerBook Duo-based tablet, the PenLite, but in order to avoid hurting MessagePad sales did not sell it.[18] Apple released several more Newton-based PDAs, and discontinued the last, the MessagePad 2100, in 1998.

With the success of the introduction of portable music player iPod in 2001, Apple re-entered the mobile-computing market in 2007 with the iPhone. Smaller than the iPad but featuring a camera and mobile phone, it pioneered the multitouch finger-sensitive touchscreen interface of Apple's mobile operating system—iOS. By late 2009, the iPad's release had been rumored for several years. Mostly referred to as "Apple's tablet", iTablet andiSlate were among the speculated names.[19] The iPad was announced on January 27, 2010, by Steve Jobs at an Apple press conference at theYerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco.[20][21]

Jobs later admitted that development started on the iPad before the iPhone.[22][23][24] Upon realizing that it would work just as well as a mobile phone, Jobs put development of the iPad on hold and decided to develop the iPhone instead.[25]