iPad
Here's a "review" of sorts based on the videos, articles and announcement. For someone who doesn't like the Kindle and their ilk, which premiered at $399, here's a device that apparently far exceeds Kindle for $100 more. And in 2010 dollars, it's about the same as the Kindle was in 2007 ;)
An iTouch on steroids - A large multi-touch screen with extended gesturing, that runs all existing iPhone "apps" out of the box. I don't think it will be long before a DAW controller app appears. A re-worked iWorks suite - Word processing, spreadsheets, presentation slides. The optional keyboard dock provides a standard mechanical input device, but the virtual keyboard provides on-the-go keyboarding.eBook reader/bookstore - 5 large publishers (plus McGraw Hill who leaked specs and so seems to have been cut from the launch party). A color, touch screen eReader without the slow crappy screen redraw of a Kindle, but also without the soft e-Ink. But with search and extended media capabilities that puts Kindle in that awkward "why bother" position (not unlike having a 13" b&w TV with no remote). It uses the open ePub format (should be interesting to see if B&N and Sony ebooks can be used). It also reads native PDF, which none of the others can. So, for technical documentation, whitepapers, and consumer device manuals, this rocks.BlueTooth & Wi-Fi, optional 3G - no contract, a monthly data plan for 3G for those who need it. Wi-Fi for everyone else. Plus free access to all AT&T hotspots. "But you have to pay for 3G, and Kindle's is free". How long does the "I can spontaneously download a 1700 page novel" thing last? I live in NYC, where wi-fi is almost everywhere, and where it's not, it's close. For the purposes Kindle needs connectivity, this does not need 3G. But for what this can do that's way beyond that, it's certainly a nice to have.This is exactly the wrong form to be a phone or a camera, so I don't miss that. What I do miss is Flash. Very disappointing, but hopefully that will change.
