I'd rather it be native.

Native? An iPhone app is a native app. If it runs on the iPad, how would that change?

Resolution for one. iPhone apps on the iPad are going to render blocky (zoomed 2x) or tiny (1x un-zoomed). I imagine a lot of apps are going to be updated to take advantage of the resolution differences. Or at least to render UI elements at the appropriate sizes.

Actually, an app like that would most likely render fine, since the built in GUI widgets are going to scale. Only apps that use bitmaps will need updating for this.

Actually, does the iPad have the same aspect ratio as the iPhone? If not, some stuff might get screwed up because of that too.

There's a reason that OS X and the iPhone OS are object oriented. Combined with the aforementioned approval process, I think we'll find that most iPhone apps scale well.

Actually, I meant more like "official". Yeah, there are multiple apps that allow you to send text messages from even an iPod touch...but do I trust them? Not so much.

I think it is rather exiting. As a control surface with TouchOSC it will kick Lemur with cost and multifunction to..... If video out would let mirror desktop I can see many uses as visuals creating tool. I am ready to get one as soon it will be available in our stores.

The iPhone aspect ratio is 3:2, the iPad aspect ratio is 4:3 (in other words, two iPhone screens side by side).

I don't think it's an iPhone replacement or a laptop replacement. And I don't think it was ever designed to be. In fact, it's exactly what a "netbook" should be: easy access to the Web, e-mail, photos, music, videos, etc. It's all about consuming, not creating, content (although the iPad versions of iWork apps suggest some content-creation will be possible).

I think the term everyone is skirting around is 'thin client.' ;)

I'm looking forward to VNC, RDP, and LogMeIn on this guy. I hope Apple produces a real Apple Remote Desktop client for it as well.

The hype was so inflated that inevitably the real thing is a bit of a disappointment.

However, I think this could be huge. The power of today's laptops is immense, and most people don't use all that power just by browsing, mailing, playing music and creating a few documents.

For poorer students, who still want the Apple kudos, an iPad to write notes in lectures, surf, watch vids, listen to music and email is compelling.

For grandma, who wants to use a computer "a bit", but doesn't want to get too involved, this could be the answer.

For researchers, who need to make notes in the field and keep in touch, this is even more ideal than a laptop.

When we get to the 3rd generation, with front and back cameras, multitasking, full document creation (including an app for drawing with your finger!!!), then I think that these things are going to be everywhere.

Yeah, frankly, I would have never thought that the Kindle would have sold as well as it has, and this thing is looking to be quite a Kindle killer.

You've hit the nail on the head with this. There are going to be certain places that this particular product is useful. It should fit into the netbook sector as well. I personally could use it because I am a salesman for BMW, and it would be nice to be able to walk around the lot with a device I can electronically do inventory on (trust me, the iPhone is just a bit small for that).

@Photek -- I'm struggling to remember the last time you were excited about an Apple launch, are you ever? ;).

No video

No multitasking

very small storage...

I'd rather have an iPhone, at least I can make calls and do text messages with that. I really see no need for it for what I do. Plus for a bit more money you get a Macbook which is a lot better of a machine.

http://vimeo.com/9033039

^Is pretty much how I feel about it.

It's also worth mentioning that as frequenters of Macosxhints, we are "power users", who use our computers heavily and do complex things with them. So it is perhaps unsurprising that the reaction to the iPad is muted here.
We are not the audience for this product.

This first generation iPad may not be the puppy's privates, but it's a step in the right direction.

A few things I forgot to mention in my earlier post:

The iPad needs a special connector for USB and SD cards. Is this a sign that Apple are trying to move away from physical connectors and push consumers towards the "wireless home"?

That is, rather than complaining that the iPad (or whatever) has no USB port, should we be complaining that our digital cameras have no wi-fi/bluetooth capabilities? Will all homes one day have a wireless USB hub that you can plug USB devices into such that they become available over the local network?

How many iterations of the iPad will it take to include induction-based charging?

As for lack of Flash support, I think Apple sees the writing on the wall there too (or they are the ones doing the writing). Flash will go the way of the floppy: a capable technology that served its time well, but ill-suited to the modern (mobile) world.

OK, I'll stop my rampant speculation now... :D

PS - as some people have said, the iPad is more of an "internet appliance" than a computer. And there are plenty of folk who have computers that really only need an internet appliance. I am not one though. Nor do I suspect anyone on this forum is either.

Well if it is for mobile media play, why doesn't it have more storage, or attachments for SD cards, or something where you can easily add more media to it?

I think this is in more lines to compete with the Kindle than anything else.

you guys seen this?

http://www.skiff.com/skiff-reader_photos.html

Why is everybody so avid about having a camera on the iPad? What are you going to do, hold the whole massive (in relation to an iPhone) thing up while recording? It's unwieldy.

I think it's more in line to compete with the Nintendo DS and PSP, frankly. The mobile gaming opportunities on this device or phenomenal. Honestly, when that little wrinkle is thrown in, I can't see how this device could possibly not be a success.