Apple finally introduce the new iPad. The new firewall technology sounds interesting.

Seriously, IMHO, iPad is a total failure. Just oversized iPhone with some drawbacks: no cameras (so no pics or video chatting), no multitasking (so, for instance, no listening to Pandora while reading a book), no built-in USB connection or memory-card slot (adapters available for an extra charge), and no support for Flash, making a lot of streaming video unavailable...

The first version of the iPhone was missing a lot as well, but much of it came in later versions. The iPad will follow suit.

The Flash thing bugs me. Adobe now has a Flash export function to convert for the ApStore so they may end up doing a work around for other things as well. I'd prefer that Apple just support Flash, but oh well.

As for a USB, it'll be like the iPod with it's proprietary cord to USB.

Funny vid, Am.

It's almost like a real tablet PC, but without a keyboard. And a weak processor, no multitasking, fewer applications, a smaller hard drive, fewer accessories, a less durable design, no support for flash, a smaller display, lower resolution, and a non-replacable battery.

But it does have an Apple logo on it - I'm sure it will sell well.

No USB is IMO just retarded. One lousy USB port would have added a LOT of versatility and functionality.

Unless you're in the market for an ebook reader the iPad just strikes me as a fashionable, less-capable netbook.

I'm with Andrew though; slap that logo on it and it should sell relatively well.

I don't think that the iPad could be described as having a weak processor. The Apple A4 chip compares very favorably with the Intel Atom processor running at less than 1/3 the clock speed.

The ARM based Apple A4 processor does have the ability for Multitasking, it just hasn't been implemented in the iPad.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/05/arm-demos-the-cortex-a9s-web-browsing-skills-on-video/

The IPad does have a smaller hard drive but this is all SSD technology again designed to reduce power consumption.

The smaller LED backlight LCD display again has been chosen for power saving requirements. Higher resolution larger format lower power OLED displays are apparently in the pipeline. We may soon see slightly larger 1080HD resolution capable OLED displays for the next generation iPad.

The non replaceable battery and connectivity issues have always been an Apple annoyance.

I may buy one when the iPad retails for around $250 and has a 1080 HD OLED display, can multitask, can take an SDHC card, has a USB port, has a digital audio out, can play FLASH movies and can recharge itself if left on a window sill for a few hours.

Hopefully all the earlier Apple iPad adopters (yes they can serve a purpose) can bring the price down in the future for future iPad devices and someone has the good sense to change the 'iPad' name to something else.

I have an iPod Touch, and I'll admit it is the first "PDA" type device I've had (and I've tried a number of them) that is usable. Basically I carry books (Kindle application), reference material and entertainment, all in my pocket.

The problem I see with the iPad is the size. It is way too big to be a real portable device. Great for sitting on your couch "reading the paper" or browsing the web, but it is too big to slip it in your book bag or coat pocket like you might a paperback novel.

It seems to me until they produce this type of device following the form factor of a paperback (aprox 8" diag for the entire device), they are really limiting themselves to a very specific market.

Build one with a 7" screen, about 8" total with the same features as the iPad and I'd probably buy one.

-john

Something like the Archos 9 PC tablet.

http://www.archos.com/products/nb/archos_9/index.html?country=us&lang=en

Why on earth does Apple get all the international media hype for what has basically been done before at the same price point with what is actually less capability and is available now? Weird.

If I'm going to get something like that I'd wait until there is something running Android or Linux so its not limited to what Apple says you can do.

I saw a rumor online that said Google might come out with a tablet soon too. Makes me wonder, was this done to do something good for the stock (i.e. gotta have something every so many quarters,half-year, year, etc)? Or, maybe the Google one is coming out soon and they wanted to beat them to the punch?

I have to agree with Alex, and that I was expecting a "mobile computing platform", something sharing more similarities with the iMac, than the iPhone. Like 7point82 said, a USB would be better and make it non-phone like! Sometimes business seems to always release something without the bells and whistles that will get stuff going, instead "gotta have something so we can pay the bills". Yeah, debt is bad, but if this was more in the middle of an iPhone/iPod Touch and an iMac, it would have gotten a better reception and possibly not have the stock price drop!

Maybe Apple will shrink it so it's the size of a PADD from ST:TNG. That is probably the right size for everyone! Also, if they called it iPADD, the iTampon jokes probably won't have been so prevalent.