Apple has put up their iBooks page with some extra details on the (available for pre-order today!) iPad iBooks software. Nice that they have a built in dictionary/wikipedia access, and it also has text to speech. Wonder if Apple has the same (stupid) restrictions on some books allowing text to speech and some not? The Apple Blog has more details on the iPad features.
For everyone winging about how the iPad doesn't have multi tasking, there's an interesting article on Smoking Apples on Understanding Multi-tasking on the iPad with some clarifications about what it is or isn't, and what you may or may not use it for.
The point that it's not really multi-tasking of running multiple apps that people are bitching about, but the session based "using multiple apps at once" type of multi-tasking that people want. Maybe this is a new paradigm in using the computer that people will either like or not like? My thoughts are that the iPad will be great for some people with some workflows and requirements, and not good for others. Buy one if you want one, I don't care :P
Chris Pirillo asks Are Apple's iPad Shortcomings Real or Perceived? and goes through 10 counter-arguments about some of the common "but it [does|doesn't] X!" complaints about the iPad.
I'm not an Apple apologist, honestly. I don't like everything they've created, I swear. I don't own iEverything (no Apple TV, no iPod, no MacBook Air, etc.). However, in light of the flurry of initial iPad complaints, I just had to counterbalance perceived shortcomings with a modicum of reason.[...]
Apple has produced (finally) the Apple iPad. Short story, a big iPhone with no camera, a wifi + optional 3G, a book store and a new suite of office suite apps, compatible with current iPhone apps.
In a way I'm a bit disappointed that all the "it can't just be a big iPhone" talk wasn't true, and that the system looks and acts like a bit iPhone instead of a small computer with an iPhone-like UI. IE: no video conferencing, no multi-tasking, and most of the other limitations of the iPhone OS.
That said, they basically killed a big chunk of the Amazon kindle market with the "iBooks". If I can transfer my PDF eBooks to it and view in full color, with zooming and panning and page flipping? Awesome. The non-active screen on the kindle will keep some of the more "high end" readers who appreciate the lack of eyestrain, but I'd be willing to bet that most of the good parts of the kindle (with the Apple Book store and it's power) plus all the awesomeness of the iPhone and it's apps will make a compelling argument.
Other stats:
The product page has more, plus a video. Personally I'm vaguely excited, it looks beautiful and comes with a great Reality Distortion Field, and some of the potential (my own collected eBooks, videos, etc) I can completely see. But replacing my laptop and all it can do with this isn't going to save much weight or space in the backpack I take to work all day. I still want one though :)
Hands on from Gizmodo.