The Apple iPad is here, and it looks set to change the way we do things.

It is a 15mm thick pad with a multitouch screen, and no keyboard. You can browse the net, watch videos, use email, and waste excessive amounts of time on Facebook; so it serves 70%* of computer users wonderfully.

Basically it 's a revolutionary netbook. It doesn't have the power to run significant applications, or more than one at a time. After all its processor is only 1Ghz (same as Google's new Nexus One phone), but as with everything from Apple it's sexy (read aesthetically pleasing).

Apple claim that the processor is software specific and is therefore much more efficient than other mobile processors, but it won't take long until someone tears the machine apart and sheds some light on that and other claims made in the official iPad video below.

Watch the official video:

So it appeals to a broad audience, and it certainly does appear revolutionary. Yet, as with any new high profile product, it already has its detractors. A Brazilian news piece reads:
"It doesn't have a camera, neither an USB port. Doesn't run Flash pages. It executes one task at a time.
Despite being a portable device, doesn't come with GPS. Unless you use overalls, it won't fit your pocket.
The description fits like a glove for Macintosh Portable, the first attempt from Apple to create a "minicomputer" -- in 1989.

I'll round up the negatives by saying that the iPad:

• does not support flash (no streaming internet video/youtube)
• can't do more than one thing at a time (no multitasking)
• doesn't have a camera of any description
• has very few plugs/adapters; you need a USB adapter just to plug a USB wire into it!
• what were they thinking when they named it?

But I'm only detracting from it to be different because everyone else is raving about it.

To round up some of the positives:

• it seems that the iPad is cool (as all things Apple are)
• will popularize the multitouch screen interface
• doesn't cost much (starts at $499 US)
• and as always Apple has crammed a lot into a small place

But I'm afraid Steve Jobs and Co may have been resting on their technological laurels on this one. As I said earlier Google's new phone (which fits in your pocket) has a processor which is just as powerful as the iPad's. The iPad's typing interface has also been heavily criticized by many early users. I could present endless positive and negative points about the iPad but those presented above are the most glaring. Read Gizmodo's more comprehensive review if you want more.

I love the multitouch interface of iPhones and I'm sure this is no different. I also love the way Apple keeps the world on it's toes....despite their detractors everyone lifts their head and pays attention when Apple does something new, because they are a revolutionary company.

I am also confident that Apple will work hard to develop the iPad further as they recieve feedback from the marketplace.

It doesn't suit my purposes but it does suit many passive internet/computer users. Perhaps one day multitouch interface will be developed into something more powerful that can be used for design and drawing. Watch this incredible video by Bruce Banit to see what I mean.

I thought this video was amazing, send me an email if you would like to discuss anything mentioned here or anywhere on my site: ash@coastalconcepts.org

*Please note that this is a wild assumption and contains no semblance of research, but most likely stems from the fact that 70% of the internet users I know spend a lot of time on Facebook.