iPad advert gets Oscar outing

Steve hits the red carpet

Apple boss Steve Jobs turned up at the Oscars last night wearing a natty tuxedo rather than his trademark polo-neck jumper.

Jobs was probably invited to the back-slapping movie shindig because he is the biggest individual shareholder in Disney Pixar, which won the gong for best animated film with Up. He was spotted by Eagle-eyed Macolyte John Chu.

The iKing of Appledom apparently eschewed the offer of interviews with the phalanx of media lovies on the red carpet in an effort to get to his seat before the debut of the first advertising slot for Apple's forthcoming iPad device.

The 30-second slot, which must have cost the Cupertino company a pretty penny (Oscar ads are second only to those shown during the Superbowl when it comes to price and coverage), can be seen here.