Hello world, my name is ipad

Here it is ladies and gentlemen, the latest and greatest from apple... meet ipad.

After the release of the Kindle and Nook, it was only a matter of time before apple jumped on the bandwagon... or took the Kindle/Nook concept and created a whole new bandwagon all together with an electronic gadget that is simply bigger and better (true apple form, for sure).

So I've been reading up on this little guy and here's what I can share with you:

- ipad is a 1/2 in. thick, 9.7 in. long,  and weighs 1.5 lbs

- The apple guys are calling it a cross between a laptop and an itouch

- It has a touch screen with a touch keypad but, from this picture, it looks like it comes with a pen too

- There are 3 sizes 16, 32, and 64 GB, and start at $499

- The ipad will use At&t as their carrier for data transfer, $30 per month for unlimited data usage

- You can add 3G capability to any model for an additional fee (this would allow you to use internet features through the 3G network instead of being connected to a wireless network)

- Apple has, of course, created their own virtual book store, called ibook and, from what I read in the articles, is working quickly to make creating an app easier and faster

- The ipad does not seem to be a side by side competitor for Kindle and Nook. Kindle and Nook are designed as e-readers whereas ipad is designed with many more capabilities

So what do you think?

Personally, and I'm really only thinking of the purpose ipad could play in my life, I think it's a little much. I'm not sure if I'm ready to accept a flat laptop. One of the articles stated that the touch screen keyboard would eliminate typing sounds! I guess I wasn't aware the sound of typing needed to be quieted.

I am quite curious to see the public reaction to this new gadget. Critics are skeptical when it comes to the success of the ipad but I'm not sure I agree with them. Apple has such a following of very loyal customers. Anyone who either, a) eats up all things apple or b) geeks gadets, is going to want one of these bad boys. I do agree the price is a bit steep, but again, I feel the people who are looking to buy one of these isn't exactly a consumer who has been deeply effected by the recession. 

Needless to say, I won't be waiting for in line for hours to be one of the first to purchase an ipad, but I am excited to see what it looks like in real life. If the ipad is a success, it has potential to bring apple to a whole new level (and they were already quite high to begin with). The amount of virtually accessible information is going to skyrocket.

So what's your opinion? Will you be waiting in line to be one of the first to purchase, or will you wait a while for a price cut and, potentially, a newer version within 12 months? I have to hand it to apple. They have proven themselves to be quite the franchise. For those critics out there that aren't sure the ipad will meet their needs or expectations, all I have to say is,  that chances are...

there's an app for that (or at least there will be soon).

Remember the good 'ol Ipod Mini!

... or how about this old friend?! Oregon Trail anyone?