By Benjamin Cohen
Is the Appple iPad, launched yesterday, simply a small computer or a larger version of Apple's already successful iPhone? Benjamin Cohen assesses the new must-have gadget.
So after all the weeks of speculation, it's here: the Apple iPad.
Probably more ink and blog coverage has been spilt over this product launch than any before. Part of the reason is the normal Apple PR blitz but part a fascination with what exactly this product is.
The last two big product launches have made sense. They're easy to understand. The iPod was a popularised version of the up and coming mp3 music player, the iPhone a popularised version of the already available touch screen smart phones.
Is this a popularised version of the already available tablet computers? Perhaps, but then isn't this product just a large-sized iPhone (or indeed iPod Touch)? If it is a tablet, well, what on earth are tablets for?
Some tablets are used by retailers for stock taking, and others used by logistics companies to monitor the delivery (and signing for) of post and stock. Traffic wardens use them to issue parking fines, and my taxi driver is using one while I write this.
But the iPad isn't really aimed at any of these very specialised markets. Apple is aiming it at me and you and, potentially, people like my grandparents. I always make it a rule to ask them their opinion of any story I'm working on, because unlike me they don't have an endless fascination with gadgets. My Granddad's response: "I'm not quite sure why I'd need one. But I liked you in the back of the car in your report."
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