By now you’ve learned that yesterday Apple, Inc launched their latest and greatest addition to their immensely successful product line. If you haven’t, you don’t use the internet, read much, or have very interesting acquaintances.

The iPad (Why not iBook or iTab?), is a 9.7″ touchscreen tablet device that allows users to play music, watch YouTube, browse the internet, read books, manage calendars and contacts, work with word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software, and also is readily available to download and run the +140,000 applications in Apple’s dominant mobile market share App Store.

It is, according to many reports, the final byproduct of over a decade of design, research, prototypes and the tears of Steve Jobs (Not! Steve Job doesn’t cry). And at a shockingly low Apple entry price point of $499, what’s not to love?

Well, lots actually.

• The Actual Physical Design – Essentially it is just an iPhone with enhanced graphics, processing, and touch real estate. Yes, it’s shiny. Yes, it’s lightweight. Yet, where was the innovation? No touch enabled sensors on front or back, a large outer black bezel, and why only the 9.7″ screen when rumors had it larger?
• No Multitasking – It is bad enough that iPhone OS software hasn’t allowed multiple applications to run simultaneously, but on a device that is supposed to destroy netbooks not being able to run AIM and Safari at the same time? That is ludicrous and a single dealbreaker, for me at least, in the purchase decision.
• No Camera – I really have no clue what Apple was thinking here. Even the software on the thing indicates there should be a camera. This is meant to be a casual mobile device for consumers. Casual indicates light browsing and media functionality in my opinion. So much of light browsing on today’s internet is user-generated. Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, DailyBooth, etc. No camera = Lack of content generation. No iChat, no Skype. Apple missed a big opportunity for easy video-conferencing with this new device.
• No Flash – I’m still bothered that I don’t have Flash support on my iPhone, but I can live with it since I know it is only a phone. Not having flash on the iPad, an almost solely dedicated internet device, is outstandingly stupid but typical Apple. There is no secret that Cupertino’s 1 Infinite Loop isn’t fond of flash, but they’re ignoring a popular segment of the interwebs. You want to watch streaming video do ya? Not on the iPad!
• Adapters Suck – I think Apple made a big mistake in limiting the iPad’s native functionality. There is a touchscreen keyboard (I’m pessimistic but will save judgment until I try it), but they go and offer a full keyboard adapter. There is no SD slot for easy image sharing, but there is an adapter. There is no USB, so you need an adapter. These should have all been built-in without question. Adapters are something you’d expect from Sony or Dell, not Apple.
• The iPad Name – It just sucks. Forget the obvious jokes in reference to female hygiene, the iPad name doesn’t do enough to really identify the product. It sounds too much like iPod (Think Boston “iPaawwdd”) and fails to leave a resonating mark in terms of use. Since the inherent iBooks app is so prevalent, why not iBook? Or since the MacBook line was scrapped and made entirely MacBook Pros, why not MacBook? Or even to differentiate the line further, why not iTab?
• Not Widescreen! – It is 2010, I’m confident consumers don’t want to return to a 4:3 aspect ratio from the standard widescreen 16:9. These omissions are almost laughable at this point.
• No HDMI Out – Want to watch the 1080p movie you just downloaded from iTunes on your big screen? Sorry, no HD out component. Unbelievable.
• AT&T. Again. – While WiFi support is built-in, 3G coverage is only available from AT&T again. Apple customers are further locked into a single telecom. Although there should be points for the $30 per month unlimited terms without a contract (You pay month-to-month as you wish). Although the optional $15 plan per month for 256MB is a blatant insult to every consumer.

Don’t get me completely wrong, this idea (just not this device), is groundbreaking. Apple is trying to bridge the gap from notebook computers to mobile phones. It’s revolutionary and has promise. Unfortunately, most people won’t need it right now. If you have a laptop and a smart phone, this device is simply unnecessary.

The only conceivable way I’d buy this, as is anyway, is if I only had a desktop computer and a phone without a data plan. Then this component could find a place in my digital lifestyle.

The original iPhone had flaws as well, and has gone on to become an amazing product and the nation’s most popular data mobile phone. This iPad has severe limitations now, but count on Apple to rectify these initial problems as new versions roll out in their carefully constructed product launches in years to come. We’re increasing mobile and lead increasingly time specific lives. Static computer use is eroding. Apple is aware. In five years, everyone might have an iPad to call their own. Just not this version.