I watched/listened to the Apple announcement yesterday of the iPad, it’s new tablet.  This device is supposed to supplant the Kindle, and be that third “missing” media device between a smartphone and a laptop/notebook.

Personally, as someone with a great smartphone, laptop, desktop, & Kindle, I don’t see the room for this in my lifestyle, and after all of the buzz, others will feel the same way.  I realize people don’t like devices that do one thing, but my Kindle does its job.  However, if I were in the market for an e-Reader/media device to have in another room, this MIGHT be something to look at; the feature list is impressive for the most part (but lacks a lot).

While I can’t see a need for this in my home (or frankly, the average consumer’s home), there may be a use in schools.  Their iBook store will not only contain novels, but textbooks as well.  Imagine having this one device that you take to class (or the teacher passes out to be used for that day) that has your textbooks, email, calendar, notetaking software (Evernote), word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation software.  Connected to the school’s wifi, the teacher could send notes and assignments in real time to you, correct your papers and send you the drafts to edit & send back, etc.

Oh wait. You CAN do this.  On a netbook/laptop!  Just get the textbook deals done and it’s a wrap.

One of the biggest setbacks on this device is that it does NOT have multi-tasking, meaning as a student, you couldn’t have multiple applications running at once.  This is a big letdown, as multi-tasking is important to students, in my opinion.

I don’t see this in K-8 just set.  At $499 (starting price; highest is $829), it may be out of reach for those schools (they have a hard enough time just getting 1-2 desktops for a whole classroom).  Plus, I’m not sure the appreciation level would be there for kids that young; perhaps 8th grade.  Likely a device for high school, and very possibly for college, especially if the school subsidized the cost.

Overall, it’s a very nice device.  I’m not an Apple fan by any stretch of the imagination, but it has to be admitted that this is gorgeous & a unique design.  Practical consumer use? Very questionable.  School use? If the right software and books were available, it MIGHT work, but there are some things to seriously consider.

What do you think?  Is this a device that schools could use, and would it be practical to do so?

Here’s a great post from Gizmodo about “8 Things That Suck About the iPad.”