Apple Announces iPad

So its the iPad. 

Apple has just announced the iPad.  A device that from the looks of it, is a better and larger iPod Touch.  It will be useful for web browsing, reading print media, watching movies and listening to music.  It can access iTunes directly which will be handy when your on the road.  It also features applications, gaming and scheduling and drawing programs.

The iPad also features a 9.7 inch screen, is 0.5 inches thick, weighs just 1.5 pounds and has a 10 hour battery life.  Its seems like Apple is trying to get the net book market with this device, by positioning it not as a replacement for the Macbook, but as a sub device. Which, as I think of it, could be a really good device to have.  As soon as I heard the dimensions and weight I realized that this would be a good traveling device when you don’t want to carry around a heavy laptop.

What I’m worried about is the fact that it has a keyboard similar to the iPhone and iPod Touch’s keyboard.  I’m not sure how anyone is going to be able to type on it, especially at that size. Then again, I would have to see it.  Perhaps there is a way.

Also, I’m worried about the price, which up to this point in the press conference, hasn’t been announced.   But I’ll stay tuned and try to do report on that later.

**** Update:  The iPad will sell for $499 for the 16G model.  Wow.