Apple's iPad: More than just poorly named / bright & shiny?

So Apple's 'iPad' tablet device, as anyone with a pulse and a computer is well aware at this point, was officially released yesterday to enormous anticipation and fanfare, even for Apple. There's no question that this iPhone-on-steroids is a Bright Shiny Object (BSO) of the highest order, that the cool factor is high, and that the urge to fondle one when you see those introductory videos is high, but after the oohs and aahs recede, is there really any there there?

The new screen is impressive on first glance - big and bright - and some of the software enhancements look impressive, like the email client for example, but when I ask myself what's transformative and awesome about the iPhone for me personally, I come p with the following: an all-in-one, everything-but-the-kitchen-sink device with fantastic usability and that great multi-touch interface that I can slip in my pocket and thus have with me whenever, wherever.

And what's the iPad? (Other than really, really badly named, that is -- couldn't the Apple gang anticipate the off-color YouTube parodies?) Exactly the same thing only in a form factor that WON'T fit in your pocket and thus isn't likely to be with you whenever, wherever. Cool - yes, but useful? I'm not convinced.

Now, you might agree but counter that it's certain to be an Amazon Kindle killer at a minimum. I mean, it's gorgeous, has that nice color screen and is reasonably priced (at least compared to the preposterously expensive Kindle), right? Good hypothesis, but not so fast. The iPad uses a simple LED-backlit Liquid Crystal Diode display, which is great for general use but isn't likely to cut it as an e-reader. Bright sunlight is still a killer and eyestrain is still a factor. Kindle may not be as sexy but if you need to read War & Peace on either a Kindle or an iPad, trust me, go with the Kindle. An don't take my word for it. The IEEE gives the real lowdown: http://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/computing/hardware/the-ipad-is-not-a-kindle-killer-blame-the-display and trust me, they know of what they speak when it comes to display hardware.

Bottom line: iPad's cool, it's fun and if you get one I'm definitely going to be jealous, but don't expect it to transform the world of computing or e-reading.