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PrintLast week, the Apple iPad was unveiled in San Francisco. The tablet computer, similar in design and operation to the iPhone, will start shipping in late March and could be in competition with e-reader devices like the Amazon Kindle and the Barnes and Noble Nook.
Plenty of hype and speculation preceded the announcement. Since the iPad has been revealed, the device has continued to cause plenty of talk in the media and on the Internet.
Roger Fidler, program director for digital publishing at the Reynolds Journalism Institute and a national expert in e-readers, said the iPad is being marketed as a new tool for Web browsing, communication, entertainment and reading.
The device, which ranges from $499 to $829, is a full-color, touch-screen device that allows consumers to buy books for electronic reading, has a Web browser, can play music and videos and has organizational tools.
There have also been some complaints about features lacking with the device. Features the iPad doesn’t have include a camera, Adobe Flash support for its Web browser and the ability to multitask, a feature found with other tablet computers.
What do you think about the Apple iPad? Do you plan on purchasing the device?
Show Me the Errors 
Comments
I think I'll wait for version 2, in hopes of a camera, but those waiting on Flash support are likely to be disappointed. I think non-support for Flash extends what already started on the iPhone -- Apple is setting itself firmly behind the HTML5 video standard, which is much more robust and less prone to errors and security risks than Flash. It will be interesting to see how Adobe responds to that.
Rob Weir
Director of Digital Development
The Columbia Missourian
I'm not going to say I absolutely won't but an iPad. But the considerable limitations of the iPhone OS and the price of $829 will have me comparing it to what appear to be much more capable devices such as the Lenovo U1 Hybrid http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/05/lenov....
I read a nice overview of the iPad’s shortcomings at tabletportal: http://www.tabletportal.com/The_Tablet_P...
In short: experts are underwhelmed. But the key is that consumers will love it. Same with the iPhone. My guess is that the iPad offers exactly what consumers want: simplicity!
Hi Rob,
Can I get eMprint on the iPad?