I feel that it's important, from time to time, to remember that plenty of things that aren't the next big thing are also variously laughed at, ignored, dismissed, and so on.

I'm not making any predictions about how the iPad will do (sitting and waiting will get me better information than pulling a guess out of the air), to make sure that's clear. Just reminding myself that it possible that perhaps Apple will produce a product that won't change the world.

I think most criticism has been constructive and well placed. It's a large iPod touch with potential at this point. After playing with it for a good 10 minutes it still feels wanting. Consumption means different things to different people. In my case I wouldn't dream of using the Internet without a keyboard, except on the iPhone where the absolute convenience of size overrides the restriction of input. As a solution for my mother...maybe. I'm willing to wait another revision before I get her to switch.

"a product that won't change the world."

Like MobileMe? :)

I really enjoy the 'just works' aspect of MobileMe, only problem is the cost of course.

In the same vein though Apple TV isn't a game changer, but it could become more relevant as time goes by.

"I really enjoy the 'just works' aspect of MobileMe."

I was an early adopter and got burned. It never worked for me. After fighting for hours with configuration and bad Apple support (which is uncharacteristic), I realized that the time it would potentially save me was being burned up in setting it up, so I abandoned it. In the end I ended up losing $99 and gaining nothing. I'm guessing from what you said that they've worked the kinks out now, though.

Yea the launch was a disaster. They were definitely stretched too thin at the time. I've heard some people have had issues still but it has been perfect for me since I got it around the launch of the 3GS.