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I know you all know about the newly announced Apple iPad. After all, this is the 5th post on the topic. I do have to say, the thing looks pretty nice. If I had $500 to throw around, I'd probably pick one up. I love the size and the dock, with keyboard. It truly looks like a joy to use and, knowing Apple's attention to detail, it likely has a very intuitive feel to it. I don’t know that I would ever use it as my main computer, but that wasn’t their goal. I do know I would buy an iPad before a netbook.
I do have a few complaints about the major announcement. First, the name. iPad? I definitely would have preferred the iTablet or iSlate (both were being thrown around the blogosphere). The first thing I thought of when I heard the official name was “high tech feminine product.” That was only reinforced when someone showed me the video to the left.
The biggest disappointment came not from anything announced, but from what was not announced. Since 2008, there have been rumors flying around that the iPhone would soon be available on Verizon Wireless. Each time a new rumor comes out, it sounds more credible than the last. Well, the most recent rumors stuck with tradition by sounding even more legitimate, but also by failing to deliver on anything at all. The rumors said things like, “there is "a good chance" that Apple's "One More Thing" announcement will be the iPhone 4G, running OS 4.0, on Verizon” and “Verizon tells managers Wednesday is a ‘Big Day’.”
As I watched the live blogs (courtesy of Gizmodo), I knew my hopes would once again be dashed when the giant screen behind Steve Jobs flashed “iPad data plans available from AT&T. They wouldn’t prop up AT&T in one breath and crush them with the next. And, unfortunately, I was right. No mention of iPhone updates or new providers. How disappointing.
But, there is hope! My sources tell me that Jobs didn’t want to overshadow the announcement of a brand new product with an announcement of a brand new partnership with Verizon. Expect an announcement in the coming months that the iPhone will join the Verizon network in June of ’10!
Keep hope alive!