With all the hype surrounding the recent announcement of the much anticipated Apple iPad, there have been ample discussions as to the significance of this new device. With statements such as “it’s just a big iPod Touch” and “it will fail because it lacks [a camera, multitasking, support for Flash, a standard USB port],” it is evident that there are mixed emotions amongst industry experts regarding the anticipated arrival of this new product.

Andy Hunt, co-founder of The Pragmatic Programmers, holds the opinion that ultimately the iPad will redefine how we interact with computing devices. In an interview with Michael Swaine for PragPub, Hunt is quoted saying: “Over the course of time, this style of tablet device may well become the primary computing interface for most people.”

Could it be that despite all the criticism, Apple may just be on the brink of taking interaction with computing devices to a whole new level? Similar to the way the iPod redefined the music industry, the iPad could yet be another Steve Jobs creation that will redefine computing to the masses.

Initially the hype will subside, but that certainly won’t be the end of it. We’re anticipating colossal change – the evolution of communication technology. Just imagine a computing experience with no mouse, no stylus, no fixed keyboard – you can customize your iPad to whatever suites your needs, situations, personalities – the possibilities are limitless.

Take it one step further, and think about the iPad as introducing the masses to the possibility of cloud computing, where common applications are accessible online using a web browser regardless of the user’s location or the device they’re using, i.e. PC, mobile phone and now the iPad. Instead of loading copious amounts of software applications which require plenty memory and storage space, cloud computing allows you to log into a web based service which hosts all the programs the user requires. Instantly the hardware and software demands of the user are decreased, therefore, with the user utilising the iPad with cloud computing, he/she has no need to lug around a larger device. Although this might not be foreseeable when bearing in mind the number of limitations the iPad has, the next generation iPads could see even more potential, growth and movement towards this concept.

Many criticised the section during the announcement of the iPad where Steve Jobs’ is relaxing on a couch, conducting and commentating on a demonstration on how the iPad works as ‘boring’. However, it wasn’t his commentary on browsing the web that was meant to grab your attention; it was his experience and interaction with the iPad that was meant to enthral you. Jobs was simply showing us how the 9.7” tactile display with multi-touch capabilities and the 1GHz Apple A4 custom-designed, high-performance, low-power system-on-a-chip processor makes for a superior user experience.

The iPad creates a new experience in computing, and this is where its success lies – with the user. So before we condemn this device on its inadequacies (even before we have had the pleasure of test driving it ourselves), let’s see exactly what the iPad does for us and how, or even if, it will change the way we use computers as we know it.