It took almost ten years for this idea to become a reality and  even the name was debated on for years. Prior to the launching of the iPad,  fans of its smaller predecessors came up with  names for the iPad such as,  The Slate, Apple Tablet, and a couple of other guesses, only to be presented with a name that some have made much fun of, the iPad.  People were really looking forward to something different, but instead it was a take off of the iPod and iPod touch, a bit disappointing for some.  One of the biggest reasons for the disappointment is that the iPad seems to be just a larger version of the iPod touch.

Maybe it was the hype created about the iPad,  there was so much hype that no other device in recent memory can compare to the publicity it  received, or maybe it’s because people expected so much. For one, they expected to have a device that performs way better than the one they already have – the iPod Touch. But then again, when a device carries  updated software of its predecessor with a few alterations here and there, it would be hard not to compare the two.

The user interface, itself, while for the most parts resemble those already available in iPod Touch has some additions that you can love, know and gripe about, just as you did with iPod Touch.First, there is a small handful of new tools like Pop-overs or modals, tap-and-hold, split screens, toolbar drop-downs, cover flow, contextual menus and that famous virtual keyboard. All these user interface additions allow you to do more and go further with your iPad things that simply can’t be done with its smaller, older twin.

On top of all of this the iPad, although not necessarily made as a real personal computer, is packed with applications like Keynote and Numbers that can let you do work on the go.  It allows you access to engaging Apple-made applications and third-party applications, for example, many of which are applications that iPod Touch enthusiasts have come to love.

The iPad does have it’s  shortcomings, for starters, iPad doesn’t allow multitasking, although it allows multitasking for Apple’s applications. If you’re used to doing 5 things at the same time on your computer, you’re out of luck, you can’t Twitter and open your email at the same time. You also can’t hold a conversation over an IM app and run Facebook apps simultaneously. For some users who are used to doing things this way, iPad is a big disappointment however, for the majority of users, this isn’t really such a big deal.

While many people are disappointed with the close comparison of the  iPad and iPhone, it’s still clear that the former is a revolutionary device that is not comparable to anything available on the market, and what’s even clearer is that the iPad is not a bigger version of the iPod Touch.

The iPad is equipped with built-in, high-speed 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, which makes downloading files and streaming videos fast and easy. You won’t have to worry about buffering, which takes and lengthens a four-minute video into eight minutes of waiting. Although some connections may slow down, particularly when there is heavy gateway traffic or when too many subscribers are using the network, it’s not going to affect your iPad browsing experience, thanks to its combination of a beefed-up Safari app (which is Apple’s answer to Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer), and the latest Wi-Fi standard. Read More

Largely known for its flawless image rendering, video playback and vast storage space, the iPad’s purpose does not begin or end on entertainment and leisure alone. It is also greatl for business-savvy users who would like to add Apple’s newest addition to its roster of technologically advanced products.  The iPad also has built-in support for Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 and 2007. The manufacturer understands the proliferation of Microsoft’s Business Email service and would not leave their users  behind in business if they choose to go with an iPad.

The Microsoft Exchange support will enable push email service and will enable the user’s to access calendar events and contact information stored on their Microsoft profile. It is also possible to manage specific calendar details, search global address lists and inbox messages through this enhanced software feature.

Security is of utmost importance on an iPad; at the owner’s preference, multiple complex passwords can be assigned to ensure that confidential information remain inaccessible to unauthorized persons. Data exchanged over-the-air or through the Internet can be encrypted to ensure security. Additionally, corporate communication over-the-air is highly protected by a certificate-based authentication process via Exchange and VPN. Even an unfortunate event such as loss or theft of the iPad will not leave important data vulnerable because information on it can be securely deleted through a remote command.

With the iPad’s business users in mind,  specialized apps such as business metrics tracker, proposal reviewer, travel organizer, and flight tracker have been developed. Much like the enterprise edition of the BlackBerry RIM, Apple also hosts the iPhone Developer Enterprise Program. The difference between the iPhone Developer Enterprise and the Blackberry RIM is that the Apple-supported initiative will enable businesses to create their own specialized apps. Their very own apps will be shared to their employees and will be deemed proprietary by the client company.

Moreover, iPad profiles can be easily configured for businesses. Companies can set up their own profiles, complete with details such as VPN, e-mail, wireless network, and password and share it with colleagues on the iPad through Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or the Internet. Also, iPad supports iWork, Apple’s office productivity suite of apps that enables the user to create and browse documents, spreadsheets and presentations. These apps have been redesigned to complement the iPad’s multi-touch system.

Keynote slides can be presented, created, and enhanced through the touchscreen device. iWork’s mobile versions of Numbers and Pages can also be managed by tapping elements on the multi-touch screen. These documents can be shared in different ways; for instance, a VGA adapter can be used to connect the iPad to a projector to allow larger displays for a larger audience. Microsoft documents can also be imported into the iPad. Presentations, spreadsheets and text documents can be shared on a wider scale by uploading to iWork.com where the public can view these files.

The iPad is a portable computer, it’s considered to be revolutionary because it is neither a laptop nor a personal digital assistant. It is unique in its own right mostly because of its tablet frame. It’s slightly larger than a netbook by an inch and it doesn’t have a keypad. It has a  multi-touch screen interface that’s the basic input method for this device; however, it can also be docked onto a keyboard for fuss-free typing.  In addition to its multi-touch screen, the iPad is also programmed to be multi-oriented, so the user can tilt the frame from portrait to landscape.  Multi-touch means that the user can “tap” and “drag” two items on the display at once by using their fingers.

The iPad is mainly designed for Web browsing, media, and gaming.  It can also be used to create documents and similar content on a lighter level. The iPad has over 200,000 apps that allow this device to perform at high-speed rate. Documents, spreadsheets and slide-show presentations can be created through iWork, which is Apple’s answer to Microsoft Office. As for the entertainment apps, there are plenty to choose from.

The iPad uses a browser called  Safari, which also happens to be created and designed by Apple engineers. As of late, Opera Mini has become available to iPad users as an alternative Web browser. Media use is one of the best, the crisp screen resolution does justice to  images, videos and e-books. The enhanced speaker system provides a great output for music and audio.

Connection to the internet is powered by Wi-Fi and 3G.  It possesses the highest speed in wireless Internet technology that overrides the speed of the hotspot offered in a specific location. To connect to a 3G network, the user must insert a 3G SIM card from a service provider. Once the owner has completed the 3G network service application, he can switch from Wi-Fi to 3G connection anytime. App icons are used to organize the iPad display, the user can select his frequently used apps onto his Favorites section and these can be easily accessed.

It sounds like a pretty interactive device, which is what all gadgets are about. Techie experts suggest that consumers should wait a bit longer for the iPad to mature into the industry so we can all see what it’s able to offer that our regular PCs and media devices can’t.