iPad: New dawn or hype?

Unless you've been asleep for the past week you may have noticed that Apple have introduced their new iPad to an amusing mix of acclaim and derision.

Speaking personally I am excited by the opportunity that the new format iPad provides to developers and consumers a-like. Having acquired both an iPod Touch and an iPhone in Q4 2009 I have to say that I have been impressed with both products and how useful they are. I have been equally impressed that both my wife and son regularly wrestle the iPod Touch off of me - my wife for browsing and my (3 year old) son for simple games - "yes" it really is that simple to use. I therefore agree with Stephen Fry that the iPad is a "stunningly exciting object"

The iPad brings a whole new format and world of possibility (in my view) yet a great deal of folk are complaining that it lacks certain features such as a camera, microphone, hard disk... I wonder what they think it is - a giant smart phone? A For me the iPad is seeking to change the way we use technology to access the things we want on the move - just as my iPod Touch has done for my family.

As a microprocessor guy - I'm also intrigued by the A4 processor Apple has used to power the iPad... a 1 Ghz SoC rumoured to be ARM powered (but unconfirmed)... 10 hours of video - woo hoo... that should mean even longer life for many of the other applications.

Anyhow - there's also some humour which accompanies the launch. I note that a number of websites explain that "pad" for North American women means sanitary towel and some have also suggested the iTampon etc. etc. etc. That aside, here are a couple of links you may find amusing... an alternative to the iPad and getting rid of that irksome keyboard:

http://www.funnyordie.co.uk/videos/167d70800c/the-ipad
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BnLbv6QYcA