iPad portends future of computing for the REST OF US

Now that the iPad is finally coming to market, there's a lot of debate about who it's for, and even if it has a place in the market.

My view is that it's for content consumers--which is most people. And that with some artfully designed accessories, it will also be a notebook replacement for lightweight content creation (meaning not video or or heavy-duty graphic design where the files are too big and processing too intensive.

The iPad is the first (but won't be the only) device that represents a big shift away from standard PC's/Notebooks. The iPhone proved what I've been saying for years--most people don't need a computer, they just wanted email, pics, light WP and accounting and a few key apps that now also include watching video. The iPad is the next wave of that--distilling computing down to what people really need.

I believe the wireless keyboards are going to sell well for the iPad, because then it can both be the nice thing you carry around to view email and pics and movies and stuff, and with the keyboard, it becomes much more like a traditional notebook.

What's still needed is a combination porfolio case with a built-in FABRIC keyboard. Fabric keyboards already exist, they're soft and flexible, and could be easily embedded right into the folding cover. Currently they tend to be made of silicone, but I've seen fabric keyboards which were actually made of fabric--with the keys embroidered on and the contacts between layers of a fabric like felt.

Then you can use it two ways--one just as a pad, another as a more notebook-like thing, with the case doing double-duty.

Most people don't create content on their computers.

Those who do will keep their notebooks and desktops. Those who mostly consume content, will use much smaller, lighter, simpler, cheaper devices.