Apple Launch The iPad

Well all the hype is over, thank god, and we now have Apples new creation...the iPad.

This was probably the most super hyped event on the internet and amazingly Apple never uttered a word. Now that's real market power!!

As usual most so called 'experts' got it wrong and because they got it wrong the whinging has started.

"Bezel too big" "Should have had multitasking" "Doesn't support flash" blah blah blah. Yep heard it all before.

What did people think it was going to be?

It was blazingly obvious that we were going to get a big iPod Touch. In fact i reckon this device would have come before both the iPod Touch and iPhone but for one reason or another Apple delayed its launch.

So what did i get wrong?

Well i predicted we'd see music subscriptions and preview 4th gen iPhone but alas not enough time, although i think we've seen the next version of iPhone software on the iPad of which most will find its way soon.

Regarding the Tablet i said: the iPad would have a webcam and iChat but not this time. Price £599 - £799. Well happily it was less than i thought. Apple generally go in at a high price and then reduce over time but definitely surprised me there. Anyway i like getting those kind of predictions wrong. 64GB low end up to 128GB SSD, well its 16GB to 64GB but that'll come in future versions.

So what did i get right?

Well i said the following:

• No camera - we got no camera
• Connectivity will come via Wi-fi - we got wi-fi, although i also said no 3G but we got that as an option
• Google maps - we got Google maps
• Native iPhone apps - we got native iPhone apps
• 1024 x 768 screen resolution - we got that
• 720p no 1040p video support - yes and no
• Built-in stereo speakers, built-in omnidirectional microphone, support for Apple Stereo Headset with microphone and 30-pin dock connector - yes, yes, yes and yes
• It'll sport a 10.1 inch glossy multi-touch screen - 9.7 but hey i'm not on the payroll
• Version of OS X as seen on the iPhone and iPod Touch - correct
• iTunes LP support - yes
• New app to read books - yep its called iBook

I'll stop there. The point is it was not hard to predict. The key is not to get too wrapped up in the hype and speculation.

Apple aren't there to invent our dreams, they simply make devices and software that is intuitive to use. That's Apple's whole ethos. They are also notorious for bringing out new devices lacking a few obvious software features which slowly get introduced over time and generally for free. It's always been the Apple way and it adds perceived value.

A game changer?

Well we'll now see a flurry of copy cat devices. There are tablet devices already out there but not like this. Apple have the advantage of software and hardware design working in harmony. 75 million customers already use iPhone or iPod Touches so will instantly know how to use the iPad. Apple also have the largest ecosystem on the planet to support the iPad through iTunes. Content is king and they have it in abundance.

Music, Games, Photo's, Movies, Email, Internet, Maps, YouTube and now eBooks, Apple have it covered.

With the announcement of 5 big book publishers already onboard, the rest will soon follow and we'll see a whole new way of reading books.

The other big advantage for Apple is new customers. Whilst Apple cult members will somehow find the money despite already owning a Macbook or iPhone, the biggest draw will be those who've always drooled over Apple products but couldn't or wouldn't take the plunge due to price.

At £399 there's no more excuses.