I’m sure that there’ll be better ’specd’ tablets out there but I think Apple’s genius is understanding the relationship between design and interface – the physical object and the operating software behind it. I might be wrong but as soon as the iPhone came out, didn’t all the other smart phones start to look really similar?

One of the reasons for the iPhone’s success is down to the App Store – I think the iPad is really going to show this off and inspire people to create ever more exciting and creative apps.

At the end of the day – let’s continue this discussion once it’s out and we can actually use it, I have a feeling that it’s potential is pretty staggering.

The concept of gestural based interaction is clearly the future of the user/computer interface as demonstrated on the iPhone, Microsoft surface and now the iPad. But beyond the tactile interface and Apples rush to be first to market, does the iPad really disserve the accolades? Let’s forget about all the hype and expectations, at launch the iPad was positioned by Apple as the second coming of the e-reader and a replacement for the netbook. Yet the iPad is essentially a ‘one trick pony’ that can realistically only perform one task – an expensive way to read e-Books. Kindle is the market leader with a number of plus points; the first being the price point, starting at under $200 it’s cheaper and its battery life is much better at almost a week in optimal conditions. This is a far cry from the 6-10 hours suggested by Apple, although as per iPhone I imagine that after continual use this will drop considerable. Not that you would read constantly for 6-10 hours, backlit screens are tiring compared to e-Ink displays used in Kindle. Although Kindle does not have the color display or multi-touch gestures of the iPad.

The major issue with the iPad is the items that are missing, maybe this was to snag the first-mover advantage but they are fundamentals that could cost Apple in a space that will soon be awfully crowded. No USB port, no camera, no drag and drop file management, no multi-tasking, no GSP unless you purchase the optional extra, no SD slots, no 1080p playback and no HDMI out does limit the product use and confirms that it is not a PC replacement. But it Apples omission to package flash could be a costly mistake and coupled with a maximum screen resolution of 1024 x 768 (4:3 standard definition range), really reduces the uses for the iPad. Interesting scenarios considering it was through Apple that we all came to love 16:9 HD within the personal computing space.

Fortunately for Apple there are no current competitors to the iPad but alternatives are literally just around the corner including the Tegra 2. The soon to be released HP Slate should demonstrate how a tablet based PC should work and being based upon Windows 7, the Slate offers all the functionality to replace your laptop or desktop and e-Book reader with one mobile device.

There are many positives to the iPad, it’s a great concept or a great revival of a computing form factor and as per normal with Apple products its drop-dead gorgeous. Unfortunately I don’t see anything revolutionary in the iPad and considering the soon to be release competition, the iPad may be one for the brand advocates unless Apple’s pricing is actually competitive or Apple quickly updates the OS and adds the extra technology that we are all accustom to in mobile devices.

One final point, how long will the iPad be called the iPad? Fujitsu have been selling its own iPad since 2002 – Windows CE point-of-sale device. Fujitsu applied for trademark in 2003, the application was tied up due to another application from a company call Mag-Tek. Enter Apple with the launch of the iPad and no US trademark. Putting Apple into a similar position faced during the “iPhone” launch, a name already trademarked by Cisco and requiring a lot of friendly joint PR. Maybe Apple should put trademark name check at the top of their new product development plan.

I know there’ll be lots said about the ipad but for now I’ll address one thing that has caused a lot of chatter. Will the ipad spell the end of the book?

Not for me, I’ll keep the faith.

You can’t beat reading/feeling an old book that’s got character and memories attached to it. Books take on a personality, there almost living breathing things but a electronic one NAH not for me.