Steve Jobs presents the iPad - courtesy of mak_filko

There has been much hype surrounding the latest Apple creation, the iPad, and to not make mention of it would be like ignoring the proverbial elephant in the room.

Resembling an oversize iPod Touch, the iPad (according the the company website) can do “things no tablet PC, netbook, or e-reader could.” In that case, one wonders, why would we want one?

If the website were anything to go by, the “magical”, “revolutionary” and “unbelievable” iPad is a multi-functioning piece of technology which ideally streamlines many of the responsibilities we assign to pen and paper or a desktop computer.  The Apple iPad can be used as an ereader for ebooks, to browser the web, and has a touch screen QWERTY keyboard.  Current iPhone and iPod Touch users will be pleased to note that the iPad will support their current apps on a bigger screen, and new apps are being developed to take advantage of the increased screen size.

There are some indications, however, that the iPad will not free you from having to carry around your netbook or a pen. Without Adobe Flash compatibility many websites are not able to be viewed properly on the iPad. Moreover, there is no multi-tasking capabilities abilities, which means that the iPad will only allow you to interact with one application at a time. The concept of not being able to have a browser window and a note-taking application open at the same time is ludicrous in what is meant to be an earth-shattering piece of technology. Similarly, there is no camera and therefore no ability to conference call over the web – a feature that many netbooks have standard.

At this stage there is little indication that the iPad will impress upon anyone other than Apple fans. Though it can be said that Apple’s technology gets better with age, and just like the iPhone and the iPod before them, iPads are likely to mature with each generation. Perhaps in a few years time gadgets like the iPad will be the norm, but at this stage you can achieve more with a little computer or an iPhone.

The Australian pricing is yet to be announced, but Apple enthusiasts can expect theirs around the end of March, with 3G-capable models available in late April.