Apple's iPad iPalooza: The aftermath

The iPad: It slices, it dices, it builds strong bodies 12 ways -- but there are a few things Apple didn't quite get right

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The circus is finally over. The carnies are pulling down the tents, the clowns have packed up their seltzer bottles, and we are basking in the soft, sweet afterglow of greatness.

So much for Obama's State of the Union address -- now about that Apple event earlier today. By now you've probably seen or read dozens of stories about the iPad, as well as stories about stories about the iPad. Well, here's my take, post facto.

[ Also on InfoWorld: Get the key information on the new iPad in Galen Gruman's "What you should know about Apple's tablet" and Paul Krill's "New iPad means iPhone developers need to think different." ]

First, the iPad really does look like a game changer. I honestly didn't think Apple could pull it off. Color me stupid. Yet again Apple seems to have created a new product category -- as well as possibly a netbook and e-book killer -- out of sweat, Red Bull, and Steve Jobs' fevered imagination.

Still, this wouldn't be a Cringely blog post if I didn't have a few quibbles.

The name: iPad, eh? I know -- it's like iPod, only with an "a." Personally, I see problems brewing. As eSarcasm's JR Raphael snarks:

Mass confusion will ensue at all Boston-area retail outlets when accent-heavy customers ask for an “iPod” (e.g., an “iPahd”). Prepare to hear frequent yelling of such phrases as: “I said iPahd, not iPad. Whatayou, fahkin’ retahdid?”

Also, as I've said before, that name carries some off-putting connotations for me. Or as another wag put it, "On especially heavy surfing days they call it the MaxiPad."

The specs: Impressive, to say the least: a 10-inch, 720p touchscreen; 1.5 pounds; optional physical keyboard; and as whizzy an interface as you'll find anywhere. But 10 hours of active battery life and 30 days on standby? I'll believe that when I see it. Once people can get their hands on this sucker and play with it, I expect we'll find a few more flies in the honey.