iPad Launch – Just Around the Corner

If you’re anything like me, you are anxiously awaiting the April 3 launch date of the Apple iPad. Information continues to leak out slowly about this next generation product from the geniuses over at Apple, but soon enough all will be revealed as we get our hands on the much anticipated iPad.

Just this past weekend, the USB/Camera adapter option showed up on the Apple Store site, with a ship date of late April. Many are still bemoaning the fact that Apple can (and does) charge extra for what many see as a standard and required port. But… as the iPad is an enlarged version of the iPhone, and a cross between an iPhone and a notebook computer, I don’t find it all that surprising that a USB port is not included. To do so would require opening up the operating system and applications to standard USB peripherals, which I am sure Apple is not prepared to do.

And just yesterday, Apple put up many video tours and quick tutorials on its website, helping those people waiting for their iPad delivery to get ready for just how they are going to use it. It also helps to sell more to those who may still be sitting on the fence afraid to make a decision on a piece of hardware that they are not yet sure exactly how they will use. Any time a manufacturer provides additional educational materials, they are going that extra step, and I find this very useful and valuable.

I for one am looking forward to getting my hands on one. I still want to know if I can connect my Seagate FreeAgent Go Portable External Hard Drive to the USB/Camera port and play all my movies from my entire 500GB library (and not be limited to the 16, 32 or 64GB configurations the iPad will come in).

So hurry up April 3 and get here already! It’s been a long wait!