What's the big deal? It's just a big iPod Touch. This may be true, but the thing that people seem to be missing about the iPad is the effect it will have on the industry. Very much the same way the iPhone did. People are talking about eBooks.  Although eBooks on the device by know means look to be revolutionary, it does seem as though it will do it, and do it well.  The iPad however is already making waves in the eBook industry forcing established companies such as Amazon to change things.  Right now it's just a price war but who knows what it will turn into.
As a kid I used to collect comics.  For whatever reason I never really read them.  Recently though I've picked up a few digital comics for the iPhone and have actually enjoyed it more then I thought I would.  This makes me think that I may actually get into them when they are optimized for the bigger device.  This is the one thing I've heard more then anything else on the interwebs, even more then complaints.  How amazing digital comics will be.  It's yet to be seen but I think there is a very good possibility that comics on the iPad could revolutionize things a bit.
As an IT professional I make my living helping those having trouble with technology.  I see that about 80% of the computer population use their machines for two things.  Internet and word processing.  Guess what, the iPad does both.  The iPhone did more to move the cell phone market forward then any device before it.  Even with the initial limited capabilites.(before the app store)  Will the iPad do the same in it's respective category, whatever that category may be.
So here is the million dollar question.  Just because it's been done a certain way historically doesn't means it's the right way.  The computer gives you limitless possibilities and options, but 9 times out of 10 do you need that extra "stuff".  Will the iPad revolutionize the netbook/tablet market?  Will it change the way we read books and comics?  Or maybe, instead of changing the game it will change the player.

Unless you live under a rock, in a cave, at the bottom of the ocean, you've undoubtedly heard that Apple announced their "Tablet" today. Their "Netbook killer," stating that they are gunning for netbooks. This isn't going to be a post comparing the iPad and netbooks, it is going to be my first impression from a hands off perspective on Apple's new, "revolutionary" device. I will do this by quoting conversations I've had during and since the announcement.

"It's just a big iPod Touch!"
Yes, yes it is. A big iPod touch, which runs almost all current touch screen apps. Additionally an iWork suite catered to the new device and a new iBooks app which is an ereader app. This is where I think the device will shine. It will actually have books mobile that will be readable by people other then Superman with eye zooming special powers. Something the iPod Touch can't say. The mobile possibilities of iWork have yet to be proven but seem very, very intriguing and if done properly could be enough. With iWork and other apps currently in the app store, I could see this device being a bloggers and journalist heaven. So mobile and easy to use on the go. The touch typing will be the sticking point here but that can easily be taken care of with the docked keyboard.

It will also make what was good on the Touch, great. Things like watching movies, and browsing the web for the simple fact that the device is bigger.

"Netbook killer? It doesn't even multi-task, not to mention the lack of flash support!"
True, the lack of these two features is very disappointing. First let me address multi-tasking. I think multi-tasking will be in iPhone OS 4.0. Why isn't iPad showing this? Because iPad is running iPhone OS 3.2. Apple wanted all of the focus to be on the iPad yesterday. There is a good possibility that iPhone OS 4.0 was in a place to be shown off at the announcement but they wanted all focus on the iPad. My prediction is that multi-tasking will be on both the iPad, and iPhone in early Summer with the release of iPhone OS 4.0.

What about Flash. Recently speculation has arisen that when the iPad launches it will include Flash support. During the Apple "is the greatest, and our products are the greatest, and I'm the greatest in my muscle shirt" video it shows the New York Times website with Flash working. I'm not yet convinced that it will include Flash but this recent "evidence" gives hope that maybe, if anything they are working on it.

So, the real question is are you getting one? I am. I originally told myself if it is just a big iPod Touch, I would not. Well it pretty much is just a big iPod Touch. I still plan on getting one because the uses I wanted the iTablet for are there. The killer ebook reader. A way to take the place of my laptop. Notice I said, "take the place," not "replace." I wanted something light and easy to carry, something that would allow me to take notes instead of carrying around the 3 or so paper notebooks I take with me to meetings. The iPad does everything I wanted it for and more. Should you get one? Only you can answer that question. You have to look at your needs, and decide whether the iPad will fulfill those needs.

I for one am excited, hopefully in about 60 days I'll be typing a blog post on the iPad, giving you my first impressions. "Last time there was this much excitement about a tablet, it had some commandments written on it."