I say it's an alpha product targeting a niche until they figure out what the market needs... Sounds familiar?

I'll agree with Marc-Antoine on this. To be honest, it just looks like a cool toy to me (i.e. I want one but I'm not sure what I'll do with it aside from testing/development).

I also Agree with Marc-Antoine but not sure it will have the same impact as the iPhone (iPhone market was not a niche as other vendors sells tons of smartphones before Apple coming into the game), for me its something between a Kindle (Amazon) and an Archos tablet (Archos that run Windows 7)

For US end-users it will be a good book reader, for others... welll... same feeling as Benoit, don't know what they can do with it/

Apple addicts will always buy Apple products and just remember that the 30 millions iPhone users are not all Apple addicts (so it will gives you an idea of how big it will be)

Note: I think ALL (or almost) manufacturers (Asus/Dell/HP/Acer/HTC/LG/Samsung/Sony/...... and even operators) already have something similar and I bet that most of them are running to get something on the market before or at the same time as Apple

Always better to surf when you have big waves ;)

I have a diferent thought. Tablet (and iPad) will replace some laptop owners. It will be cheaper (in few months), so more people will have one. I don't think people will have both iPad and laptop, except Benoit :)

I don't really share the main ideas listed above. The iPad is dedicated to a market that do not exists yet: selling an easy to use device, with tons of intuitive aps (that a grand mother can use) to people that don't have yet a computer. It will be also a beautiful additional REALLY mobile computer for house were there is already one or more computers.

For me is the same model than the Wii, introducing console to new targets that were not hard core gamers and bring them fun with simplicity. Nintendo killed Xbox and PS3 just not fighting with them on hard core gamers and focusing on finding millions of new customers...

Same thing for Nintendo DSi XL for mature poeple, another part of the population that was not purchasing mobile consoles.

Apple will just widen the scope of the population that will use on a day to day basis a new kind of computer.

According to me it will be huge in 1 year. Wait and see...

Cheers

Olivier's view is interesting, as there might be a lot of people buying an iPad as a replacement for a laptop. Nevertheless, I don't think it will "kill" the other devices, as I don't think the Wii "killed" the XBox; selling more is not killing. It's two different markets. Hardcore gamers don't want a Wii. Hardcore techs won't want an iPad, for sure.

I'd like to add one more thing on the iPad topic.

I don't agree that it's just a new tablet, and it's also not a big iPhone or iPod Touch.

The main difference I see is that for the first time, to my best knowledge, both a device, and a dedicated operating system consistent with his its usage, have been released.

By consistent OS, I mean for example new optimized contextual menus, automatic adaptation of the UI depending the software, tablet orientation,.. This can be clearly identified in the email client and iWork suite demo visible in the videos.

So it's not just another piece of hardware using an existing OS, not specifically designed for what is for me a new usage, but a new environment proposed for clealy a new market.

It makes for me a huge diffence.

We will then see if the market is ready for this product. 

It's funny the last thing you said: "We will then see if the market is ready for this product."

While regular products should be ready for the market, the market must be ready for Apple products? Is Apple some kind of Chuck Norris?

Thanks to the iPad, I think that Apple is going to democratize the digital reading for newspapers and magazines: which need it!

@Pierre.

We all know some good products, with really advanced ideas coming too early into the market, and they were unsuccessful.

Few years later, the same concept arrived and made a success.

Even if think that coming with a full tablet concept, hardware and software, will find his public, I don't know today if it will be mass market or a niche.

Now, Apple already did it with the ipod, not inventing the concept, but as Camille mentioned, from what was a niche market, popularizing the digital player, having the fantastic success

the now have.

See Hitler's reaction to the iPad...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_EcybyLJS8

lol, your video is funny. I think multitasking is really important indeed such as a phone integrated : I've heard that there will be no phone in iPad ?

It will 2 versions of iPad. One with 3G (Phone) only and another with Wifi only.

But no version with Phone + Wifi :(

Ok, too bad!

@ Vincent: For me 3G do not mean that it will have phone capabilities (Generally "3G" is used to define a Mobile Network Connectivity but it could be just Data and no Voice support, see MID devices) concerning the iPad I've not seen if it will support "Voice"...

@Vincent: There 2 main versions:

- one with Wifi only

- one with 3G (mobile Internet) + Wifi.

After these 2 models can have more or less memory (16G, 32G, 64G).

Cheers

I've been able to use an iPad for the past few days.  A friend of mine in Germany asked me to purchase one for him and to bring it along when I visit Munich next month.  He was kind enough to let me use it before my trip.

My first impressions are very positive.  I can see this being a notebook replacement for business travelers in many situations.  Its battery life easily outmatches any notebook I've owned.  I tested out the presentation software "Keynote" and found it powerful enough to deliver effective presentations.  I have not tried using it connected to a projector yet, but I'll report back once the cable arrives.

The book reader application is nice, but the selection of books is much smaller than the Kindle.  The Kindle's text seems sharper, but the Kindle falls short when used in areas with limited available light.  

I personally would wait for the 3G models.  

I agree with Marc-Antoine

I own one. I have posted a very in-depth post in another iPad section.

When the iPod/iPhone/iPod Touch came out, everyone was quick to trounce it. However, when one looks back, one can see that Apple has tried to provide a positive "electronic gadget" experience on a consistent basis. I think the same holds true for the iPad.

It does what it promises. The apps allow you to configure your iPad cheaply to what you need AT THE MOMENT. I am also semi-handicapped, having to use a wheelchair for distances where my cane/walker would tire me out. The iPad touch device has come in very handy when I'm on business: taking notes, GPS, artistic renderings, reading documents, .PDF doc reading, eBooks, and using it as a portable "display easel" of my work. I did not bring my usual laptop at the last convention I went to because the iPad filled in nicely: I was able to download my camera's raw pcitures with the iPad Camera Connection Kit, which also doubles as a USB port, by the way! 

Caveat: if you can afford it, try to get the 3G model. You gain more independence with it and you are NOT locked into a minutes plan. You can buy as you go. Sweet.