I don’t really get using this device instead of a Kindle. Eink is just better on the eyes and in sunlight and for battery life. A great idea (I think) would be one-side touch interface and e-ink on the reverse side. I’m not completely clear what the interface would look like but I imagine it’s possible.

It’s also thicker and heavier than a normal Kindle. I just don’t get the point of the iPad other than an *almost* netbook.

That being said, Apple had a very specific niche in mind for the iPad and for what it’s supposed to do, there literally is no competition and I really want to get my hands on one.

Also, the iPhone didn’t really become super useful in my own mind until the app store came out. Does anyone disagree that once developers start making apps for it that the iPad will blossom into what Apple intended it to be in people’s minds?

For me and my wife, I worry that we’ll get into the habit of buying our books in the iBookstore only to not be able to take our books to the beach. Living in San Diego, this is a more practical lament than a fleeting one.

We have a pile of magazines and newspapers we gratefully read and then recycle. The books we keep. I’ll miss filling my shelves with spoils from trips to the used bookstore.

I like the idea of the larger screen; however, the AT&T 3G makes me hesitant to invest the money. In addition, the portability factor creates a dilemma. Since I have the 13″ MacBook as my main computer, I have something with just slightly larger screen, but sometimes feels too heavy to lug around all day. My main worry is the fragility of that large screen. At least with an iPod Touch/iPhone, there’s less chance of cracking from simple torsion as you’re carrying one around. Additionally, since I know from experience that Apple tends NOT to cover a lot of chipping and cracking-of-glass incidents in its warranty, it makes me wonder just what the warranty will look like for the iPad.

Weird… did I just talk myself out of it for now?

The product falls into the gap between various other devices. Which means that there are a few different perspectives to consider.

* “It’s a gorgeous media player.” True, but at 9.5″x7.5″ it is not pocketable. No doubt it will eventually be supported by doubletwist et al; but with apps, video and books you are still going to be tied to iTunes.

* “It’s a eBook Reader with attitude.”. Yes, and the book store is a great new way to get us to part with our money. But it is not e-ink so eyes and batteries will be screaming for relief after a while. Having said that, it carries the Apple logo and is more than just a book-reader so the Kindle is doomed.

* “It’s everything a netbook should be.” Maybe, it is certainly prettier than most netbooks and iWork is now available from the app store for $10 per app. But the tablet format does not work in coffee shops. Either it continuously ties up one of your arms – both if you want to actually do things with it. Or you spend 5 minutes searching your pockets and bag for the stand before lying it face up on the table.
NO MULTITASKING – On a netbook I can easily switch between email and word processor. Do Apple seriously expect us to close email and open the iWork Word Processor every time we want to cut and paste a little text?
APP STORE – there are a lot of fart apps to play with while we wait for the useful ones to be approved.
NO FLASH – If flash were only a vehicle for advertising and internet porn then this would not be an issue but flash is a vital part of existing websites.

So where is its’ niche? At the moment I see it being great for travelling, especially keeping the kids quiet on the plane or in the back of the car. It might also make a good kitchen computer; recipes and shopping lists that you can take to the store with you.

I know that the first generation of Apple devices often falls short of the hype. So here is what Gen.2 needs to pique my interest: multitasking, flash, camera/mic, usb/sd slots and an open or more transparent app store.

Will it succeed? Yes, because it’s an Apple, and that means they have a large base of devoted users to fund development of generations 2 and 3

A very slim, macbook air, sized laptop that runs snow leopard, etc. and is 3G capable. The screen, though, disconnects from the laptop. When you disconnect, it transitions to a tablet OS, and has all the functionality of the iPad.

I’d buy one of those…maybe.

Apple & Adobe need to kiss and make up because this No Flash BS is just plain stupid.

The iPad is a nice package, but brings nothing new to the table.

Incredibly underwhelming.