Top 10 Reasons Why iPad Will Be A Hit...

Top 10 Reasons why the iPad will be successful:

1) Thin and Light - How many laptops with phone/data capability weigh 1.5 lbs.?...

2) Color eBook reader and revolutionary "page-turning" interface

3) iBooks - new bookstore (Kindle/Amazon killer) application

4) 100% backward-compatible with the iPhone and apps already in your iTunes account

5) iWork - specifically for iPad (business users will like this)

6) Instant On

7) Battery Life - 1 month on standby/10 hours continuous use

8) Docking to use with external keyboard while charging

9) Fast - 1Ghz processor

10) And... last but not least... it's AN ENLARGED IPHONE! (enough said!)

Front-on Picture of the iPad

Relative size of the iPad when held...

More on pricing... 3G will be on AT&T (again, for now)...

Starting at $499 to just below $829... Available in March/April...

Wi-Fi models shipping in late March. Phone/3G models in April...

Availability: A few months away?

Steve Jobs, in the presentation still ongoing, said, "Isn't it great what our developers have done in just a few short months?" He then is a bit telling on the timing of this thing when he says, "Imagine what they'll accomplish in the next few months."

So, maybe it will be released in March/April, and thus begins a new product cycle (much like how we get a new iPhone hardware release every June).

Still waiting for confirmation at 14:05 Eastern time...

Just announced new app created... iBooks. Sell your Amazon stock now...

Full color.

Buying books through iTunes.

Beautiful interface. Using the iPhone tap and swipe to read books. Awesome and will be killing the AMZN stock and Kindle business model...

It really does look like the iPhone (enlarged)...

Still waiting for phone features and pricing, after 44 minutes into the Apple announcement presentation, but here are some observations so far...

It is seriously smart of them to not reinvent the wheel...

It has the same look straight-on with the iPhone... Same "home" button, and "slide to unlock"... and is 100% backward compatible, and synchs with the iPhone and all apps, via your iTunes account.

Smart, very smart.

What about the phone and contract and device pricing?...

Waiting...

Drum roll please... It's called the iPad! (okay, a little disappointed in the name)...

So, it's called the iPad...

Michele Caruso-Cabrerra from CNBC just said that it makes her think of a feminine product... yuck.

We're 41 minutes into the January 27th Apple announcement conference, and they still haven't announced the price...

0.5 inches thick, 1.5 pounds, 9.7 inch display... 100% backwards compatible with iPhone and apps.

More to come...