The Apple iPad

   So I would consider myself a big fan of apple, the most efficient software developer possible today, but the most recent unveiling has stirred up a bit of disappointment from some. Now the questions arise, what is it. Its essentially a larger, modified ipod touch that has been promised to bridge the gap between handheld devices and a laptop, that isn't meant to be a netbook. Thats all hunky dory, but of course its not a laptop at all, no disk drive, no usb, let alone a full sized keyboard, it was meant to be a whole new kind of product. The controversy arises at what it can be used for, it does have apple style word processors, itunes, and the like, but since its not as traditional the usability won't be the same; no loading up cds i just bought at amoeba for me.

   When I thought about it, certain users could gain a lot of usage out of it, it'll be for specific purposes, but good ones nonetheless. Think about it, not all people own laptops, but most families in america own a computer, desktop computers aren't dated after all. Imagine instead of having to save up for a laptop when you already own a desktop, you could having seemingly infinite internet applications, and keep music on an ultra-slick, reasonably small device, if the sacrifices of a disk drive and many others is bearable. But how do you get all that information on it, for example by having a desktop, just sync your music back on, but the iPad is built with the internet age in mind. With the ipod touch/ iphone style app store, you can have every one of those available apps backwards compatible on the iPad, there will however be apps to be released designed specifically for the new product. Even better, there will eventually be AT&T 3G versions for an extra 130 dollars, power to those who want to shell out the cash for internet anywhere, except if your paying attention to the verizon commercials.

   Laptop families like mine will find it nothing more than an accessory, but if you don't want to be stuck to your desktop, the extra freedom will be cheap, the 16 gig version starts a penny less than 500 dollars, the functions can be increased by the infinite app store and you can still type up an essay without the cramped nature of an ipod touch. Many like me aren't going to find this especially useful, even if it "is" as Steve Jobs says "The Best Way To Experience the web, email, photos and emails", the best I could find out of it is better control and fidelity from games, but why would anyone by an ipad for gaming when the Xbox could be half the starting price alone, let alone the Wii. However I simply am proud of it's existence, this could be the start of a whole new form of product, and it could be just as fascinating watching this market explode just as the smartphone market did. Just like the apple TV, its cool as s**t but in reality its not the most useful thing in the world. Anywho, nearby Apple stores will be even for slick than they already are.

Im still waiting for Apple to invent the adaptive holographic computer in Minority Report.