It’s the word on many people’s lips, twitter streams and websites – iPad. Like many Apple products nowadays there is a large amount of hype before a product release. I spent a few minutes with an iPad some three weeks ago and whilst I didn’t have an opportunity to test it out in my ‘real world’ (i.e. at home, on the move, with clients and so on) I did like what I saw. It’s much smaller in the metal than in pictures and is easy to hold and use comfortably. It’s also incredibly fast and looks beautiful.

The problem in prejudging the iPad is that until you have one and decide how it can help you, your family or your business then it’s very difficult to form an objective opinion.

I’m looking forward to getting the base version in Vegas this Friday. I think that whilst newer versions will sport better connectivity and a camera I’m keen to get my hands on the first iteration. One thing I think is worth mentioning is the ability in the UK to hook up your own ’3G’ solution rather than have to be tied to a carrier at purchase. THREE produce a wonderful ‘MIFI’ modem right now that I have been using for a month. It resembles a small phone and basically pushes the THREE 3G network to any WIFI device you might have without having to use your USB slots on your laptop.

Hence a perfect solution for getting the WIFI only iPad and not having to splash out on the more expensive 3G version AND not being tied to one of the more expensive UK carriers.

Content is going to be key to the iPad’s success, much in the same way that the iPhone has relied on Apps to revolutionalise the smartphone market with everyone now following suite. It’s early days but I really like what i see from WIRED: