It could back up to the cloud. Get a .Mac account, and you get iPad backup capabilities. I’d like to see the iPad not need a computer for updates, backups etc..

As I have a .mac account and will be getting a time capsule I will have to see if the iPad is worth getting. I definitely can see some benefits.

Do you mean why would you want a computer in your home or just when out and about?

The modern computer is far more powerful than an iPad. So any application that requires heavy number crunching would require it. Photoshop, Sibelius, Logic etc all need a computer.

Any work setup that requires a bigger screen. Any work setup that requires Firewire peripherals also need a computer. To be honest the list is quite a long one.

Mind you that is not to say the iPad won't be a nifty bit of kit that will fully meet the needs of many.

Sorry. I was thinking of the much-talked-about grandparent scenario. Would that sort of user require a computer to dock to, or not.

I think it}s all self-set up from the iPAd. So, no. However for core software updates, backups etc., I would imagine a computer + dock would be necessary.

Hmm, I don't know. Obviously it is designed to work in conjunction with a computer. I guess it will be like an iPhone. It will need a computer to sync content unless you download everything from the iTunes store. The only issue I can think of is how you back the device up if you don't have a computer with iTunes on it to do that job.

Both are definitely feasible technically. I'm not sure they could be done is a sufficiently apple-y 'just works' kind of a way though. if the Ipad is intended as a device for people who don't use computers, I can see the HCI restrictions being fairly draconian. I guess we'll find out on a few days.

On the same topic, the iPad guided tour videos are up.

It looks like the sales targets are 8 to 10 million so I might make that bet to pay for one.

I went to a talk this evening about making money from the iPod Touch and it's friends (iPhone and iPad) by the head of department.
One of his dissertation students is making an app that will allow you to control a mortised sound desk, and I thought of you CC.

I could see an iPad being used as a virtual playground, connecting to Logic running on your iMac and allowing you to tweek levels and things from across the room, it'd be quite cool!

A virtual control surface for Logic or Garageband would be nice. Reaching for a mouse is no substitute for reaching for a slider. A virtual slider is a nice halfway house but for myself it will take a lot to make me change from the real thing.

One adantage is that the iPad is wireless, meaning you can shove up the volume and mix your tracks from the loo

Or a control surface for anything. I was at a model railway exhibition last weekend, and it struck me that you could make a portable DCC controller for train sets that would run on an iPad or an iPhone.

First 'reviews' are up

USA today

Chicago Sun Times

Walt Mossberg / WSJ

David Pogue / New York Times

Andy Ihnatko's video on TWiT.tv was funny, he was showing the book reader app and it hung on him

The more Ive thought about the iPad over the last couple of months, the more I think I'd like one. Probably to replace my iPod Touch...