iPad: does it make the cut?

So what do you think of the iPad2?

Do you think it will be as “big” as the iPhone and really change the way things are done?

It seems like some are jumping on the Apple bandwagon and buying it with no questions asked. Some people say it’s awesome and they love the way it’s freed them from small phone screens in watching media. For others, I hear them saying…”so what is it? is it a computer which can’t do what a computer does, or is it a phone that doesn’t really work like a phone at all, or is it a small video player?”.

Really, all of these are great questions to ask, which brings me to my point. How long should a consumer wait before they jump in and get the latest (and greatest) technology? I’m not sure there’s a correct answer here, but it is a valid thought.

For the Apple enthusiasts, it makes sense to go out and buy what they put out instantly, because rarely does Apple “mess up” a product (not counting the old Cube desktop unit of course ;). But others who aren’t comfortable spending the big bucks might decide that they still have to have it yet they’ll buy another brand, like Sony or Samsung, etc.

The big question is still…is it really worth buying the latest technology until it’s proven to be “worthy”. Obviously one could argue the concept of what is worthy until they are blue in the face, but for this purpose, let’s look at the product (iPad) as being worthy as a new and innovative piece of digital technology for society as a whole.

What’s the iPad to you?

Just another gadget which looks cool but doesn’t help you?

Or is it replacing your need for paper based books?

Or is it just a new version of the walkmen for movies and has a bonus of using wi-fi?

Or…is it just convenience for those of you who think laptops are still too big, but really only use them for email and Facebook?

In the end, we should continue to push big companies like Apple, Microsoft, Sony, etc. to push the boundaries of technology. We, as consumers, don’t need something that’s half this and half that but looks neat and is super glossy. We want things that are genuinely helpful and innovative. Devices that make us ask ourselves… “How did we live without that?”.