The Apple iPad has been officially announced. It looks just like a huge iPhone and it’s freakin thin! Though the name could be better.

The design doesn’t look that bad, but I was hoping for something sexier and sleeker. And while the features of the iPad isn’t revolutionary, I do believe it is ‘game changing’. It brings together technologies and features, and seamlessly blends them together in one great device. Something that no other tablet device before has done. The new iBook store opens up ebooks to the mass market as well. I’ve thought about getting a Kindle or similar device, but they did not provide a multimedia experience that i wanted in a device.

The iPad allows for a new take on portability and will definitely give people something to think about when considering a netbook. I used a netbook for a short period of time, and ASUS Eee PC 1005, and while it wasn’t too shabby, it just wasn’t as user friendly for a small portable device. The Atom processor was also laggy when playing certain Hi-Def videos and programs. And from initial first hand reviews of the iPad, it’s blistering fast!

So will I get an iPad when it finally comes out in SG? I can definitely see myself getting one. Though looking at my media usage patterns, I don’t know if I will use it all that much. And it depends on how much it will be sold for in SG and what contracts/plans I will have to sign on to, if any.

I am pretty sold on the device as a whole and I do like the Apple designed case that you can purchase along with the iPad. Will have to wait and see what the local developments are.