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The iPad is Coming, But It Is Not Coming Alone

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By: (Contributing Writer)

Earlier this week announced the official first day of what could be the next major electronics revolution: April 3, 2010. That is when the Wi-Fi version of their much anticipated (also known as: “the for people too impatient to wait for the more sensible configuration”) is slated for release. The compatible version will arrive later in April.ipad and zagg

The Wi-Fi will start at for $499 for the bare bones device with smallest hard drive capacity (16GB). The Wi-Fi + with the largest hard drive (64GB) will run $829. All other combinations will fall somewhere in-between. will begin pre-selling on their website starting March 12 for U.S. customers (sorry international fans), and questions have already been raised about how many devices they will be able to deliver at launch. It could be a critically uncomfortable first few days for the lords of technology in Cupertino, California.

The revised release date is a few days past their original announced target, and some industry observers are speculating that will still need some luck to reach the new goal. However, that did not seem to scare investors, who sent the stock up significantly on the heels of the revision.

The sunny news about ’s next major gadget could have only added to the current scrambling from rival manufacturers. The market might see as many as 50 competing products worldwide this year according to ARM, a mobile microprocessor company. Among the major players and devices are the Slate (once a rumored name for the ), the dual screen Courier, and the tentatively-titled Mini 5.

HP Slate is already positioning their Slate against the by advertising the device’s Flash capability, the lack of which has been an early criticism of the device. The OS is also reported to not allow multi-tasking or running multiple programs simultaneously, which makes that a likely competitive target for other manufacturers.

Based on early reports, ’s vision for mobile computing seems to be more simplistic from traditional tablets, and it will remain to be seen whether that style can catch on. However, tablet PCs have not been popular in the past, in part because of their clunky operating systems and input methods. It could be that will do for the tablet what the iPhone did for the mobile phone, which was essentially give the entire industry a different perspective to follow and emulate. Given their track record and popularity with the cool crowds, it is probably best to not bet against .

With anticipation beginning to reach critical mass, the seems positioned for either absolute success or absolute failure, without middle ground. If the takes a critical beating and is not overwhelmingly popular with Fanboys/Fangirls (like the underwhelming release of the TV in 2007), it could spell trouble with the shareholders.

So who want’s an and why? Sound off on the comments section below and keep an eye on MyRealityTech in the very near future as we provide a genuine look at each of the much buzzed about . Seeing that virtually every review is a giveaway here at MRT…who knows, one very lucky commenter may just get one!

(via WSJ.com, Wired)

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  • jdnorthwest
    An easy to carry around the house device with WiFi, media, and gaming options? Who couldn't find a use for this. From pulling up the latest potato recipe on epicurious in the kitchen to reading a bedtime ebook to the kids or firing up the motivating tunes on the exercise bike. Sign me up, I like this future.
  • otispjc
    I want one! Yes, I'm disappointed with the iPad's shortcomings, most notably the lack of flash, however, I also believe that this iPad is quite possibly the absolute best sales tool ever created. I am not a sales-person, but am still involved in pitching and selling almost continuously. And most of my sales involve me presenting to small groups of people. Instead of dealing with the inevitable technical issues of trying to hook up a laptop to a projector, imagine just pulling out one of these sleek, ultra-cool, and undoubtably awe-invoking gadgets to give your presentation. I imagine a small group of up to 5 people will be able to surround it and easily view the presentation, while I drive the powerpoint with my finger sliding from slide to slide. Super easy, super fast, and super cool.

    Also, I am very intrigued and excited for the bookstore feature.
  • jstylzz
    Between not having Flash, and the problems that AT&T has had with their 3G performance with just the iPhone, the iPad seems to be set up for failure. I'm sure it's cool, and will be a conversation starter at parties, but I wouldn't buy one of these until a 2nd or 3rd gen. Maybe they'll have all the kinks worked out by then.

    The Slate might give them a run for their money, especially in the beginning.
  • I agree, and I am sure Apple is concerned about the competition, as well. One of the recent rumors is that the next iPhone OS update will include multi-tasking capabilities, so things are already changing. Unless you like being an early adopter, I would avoid almost any of them for the first generation.
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