The Apple iPad

Apple demonstrated it's new iPad the other day and I've fielded a number of questions from clients and friends about it the last few days. I watched the demo online as Steve Jobs sat and showed us all the great things it does. But my question is, why?

The iPad is supposed to bridge the gap between the smartphone and the laptop - giving you a more powerful workstation while keeping the intimacy of the smartphone. But I wonder if it's necessary or useful. For the people on the go, who are mostly business people, the laptop is a necessity. They can't use the iPad walking into a client's office for a sales presentation nor, without a keyboard, is it a relevant desktop replacement.

That said, it also isn't a phone, so it won't replace that piece of equipment strapped to your hip or purse.

It may be useful as a more full featured e-reader, but the LCD screen will be difficult on the eyes the same way your laptop is. The e-readers today are using e-ink displays to have the look and ease of use that paper has.

In comparing it to the Window Tablets, which have struggled for many years to catch on, I don't think it comes close. The Tablets allow you to swivel the screen one way and use it much the same as the iPad, then swivel it another and use it as a small laptop - with a full keyboard.

So, where does this piece of technology fit into the scheme of things? I'm not sure, but my feeling is that since it can't do much of the things it's brethren can, and really adds very little in new and interesting features, the iPad will be the first iDud that Apple has produced in many years.