Academic

So today Steve Jobs unveiled the iPad around lunchtime.  Depending on whether you want wifi or 3G, etc. you can purchase a $500 version (ok, $499) or an $829 version, or one in-between.  But, if you want to hook up to wifi or 3G, you'll have to have a monthly plan.  The tablet-like device looks really cool and does a lot of things, positioning it in between an iPhone and a laptop.  It has word processing (and can charge at a docking station with a keyboard like a laptop), an internet browser, presentation software, a built-in iPod, movies and an e-reader with iBookstore.  Depending on what you use your laptop for, it could take the place of a laptop while you travel.  For example, if you lug your laptop to conferences/workshops so you can use your PowerPoint, check your email and surf the internet a little, then this might be great for you.  You can leave your laptop at home and use this as a great travel device.  Could it take the place of a home computer or business computer, if you have a docking station?  Maybe, if you could have a large screen with your docking station.  Most of the computer consumers probably just use a computer for word processing, internet, email and the occasional presentation.  Depending on how much storage you need, maybe.

I think the question on everyone's mind is whether the average person needs an iPhone, an iPad and a computer.  There's a lot of overlap there, but you can't take a computer everywhere and the iPhone is really small.  In a perfect world, it would be great to have all three, but that's a lot of money to have all three, especially if you have to purchase an internet plan for both the iPhone and the iPad from a wireless company and then have an internet plan for your computer.

So, I have a Kindle and every newspaper is asking how the iPad will affect the Kindle.  Should someone buy the Kindle or spend twice as much or more to get an iPad that does a lot more things than just hold digital books?  If you have a laptop and an iPhone and even an iPod (like me), I guess I couldn't justify buying the iPad, which would also cost an additional $360 or more per year because of the wireless plan, if I really just wanted to read books.  It doesn't take the place of an iPod because you wouldn't carry it where you can carry an iPod (walking around, exercising).  It does play movies, so maybe it could replace your DVD player?  Your portable DVD player?  Your television?

I guess there will continue to be consolidation, with video game consoles that play DVDs and Blu-Ray and stream television, and tablets that browse the internet and play music and store books.  I guess the trick will be figuring out how much overlap consumers are ok with given variations in portability and functionality.

I also think iPad is a stupid name, but nobody asked me.