iTablet, iSlate, iPanel is Now Out – Introducing the Apple iPad

Steve Jobs introducing the iPad

Today is the big day: Apple is scheduled to announce its “latest creation” at a San Francisco event at 10 a.m. Pacific Time. I’m here at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, seated among a large turnout of press. People are still looking for seats and classic rock tracks are being played.

On the stage, in front of a large screen with an Apple logo on it, sits a single leather chair and a small round end table. Made to almost look like a space where someone might sit to read the paper, a magazine or a book, I can’t help but wonder if my coffee table tablet theory might just be right.

The play-by-play:

11:35 a.m.: My verdict. The price point makes it interesting but I’m still not convinced that this device is bringing anything really new to the game. The apps are a bit enhanced but beyond that, it does pretty much everything I can already do with my Macbook and iPod Touch. The hype was bigger than the event or product.

Related posts:

1. Poll – 11 Concepts for Apple Slate Design (aka iSlate iTablet) – Pick a Winner
2. Apple iTablet Anti-Ergonomics
3. Why There’s No Apple iTablet Yet
4. Apple iTablet eBook Reader
5. iTablet is About to Be Released says ZDNet
6. iPad on eBay and Amazon Buying Guide (vtg, resell, second hand)
7. Apple Slate to Smash Ebook Reader Market in 2010
8. The Mini Tablet PC Ebook Reader – the Apple iPhone