iTablet, iSlate, and finally iPad

Rumors started long time ago that Apple was making a tablet. After many rounds of "discussions," geeks came to the following consensus:
- The tablet will look like a larger iPod Touch or iPhone, measuring approximately 10 inches;
- running a substantially expanded version of the iPhone OS, which will be named iOS;
- probably called iSlate;
- with a new, non-QWERTY interface;
- with Wi-Fi and 3G data connections, not exclusive to AT&T, but probably Verizon this time.
- possibly available in two versions, LCD and OLED, with or without webcam;
- and it will cost between $700 and $900.

Here's a collection of what people thought the iTablet, or iSlate would look like:






Finally this morning, the real thing surfaced. Steve Job announced the brand new (unisex) device called iPad.

- Yes, it does look like an enlarged iPhone.
- Measurements: 9.57"x7.47", 0.5" thick, 1.5 lbs. I think it looks pretty thin.
- 9.7-inch (1024x768 pixels) LED-backlet glossy display with IPS technology.
- In addition to the usual mail, calendar, maps, Safari, music, video, photos, etc., it runs all the iPhone apps, iWork, and the new iBook app.
- 10 hours of (surprising long) battery life.
- Sorry, no webcam, no DVD-Rom, no USB, no multitasking, and it still doesn't run Flash.
- But yes, you can have a keyboard dock, and it looks quite nice.
- (Too) many variations: with or without 3G; 16G, 32G, or 64G.
- Price starts at $499. (Not too bad.)
- Data plan still with AT&T, ouch!

Is this something you really need (in addition to an iPhone)? Probably not. But, it is a cool thing to have... Considering all the things missing, I find myself looking forward to the next generation already.