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Pundits like to turn things into a conflict, but there just isn't one. The thing about Apple is that they tend to create new markets where there was none before. And the media only half understands what business or technology experts tell them.
The iPad isn't really something new. It's more an extension of moves Apple has already taken. It doesn't even take on the dedicated ereader market (not any more than the iPod actually does) it's just that ebooks are hip, and Jobs knows what he's doing with marketing.
IMHO, if you get behind the hype and the media confusion, the importance of the iPad is convergence. It's too big to replace my iPod Touch, which is a critical bit of equipment for me now. I need it as a PDA and web device, and since I have it stuffed with reading apps and books, as well as some music, I have no need to schlep along an MP3 player, or an ebook reader.
The iPad is too big to replace that yet, and it's not enough to replace my laptop, but I will certainly replace my netbook with it, when my poor little Eee goes. And I think that this is only the first generation. There will be other sizes and capabilities.
And in competition, I expect that the dedicated readers like the Kindle will not offer more features as much as they will get cheaper and cheaper. Which I think would be a spiffy way to carve out a niche in this market. There is a huge untapped market in the people who read used books and library books - and they are price sensitive. A dedicated inexpensive reader that gives access to super cheap indie books, free classics and library loaners, will expand the market even further.
Camille
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