iPad. What is there to say other than it's an oversized iPod touch? It seems ... neat. Nifty. Swell. 

I realize that I'm not the target market for the iPad, but I feel really underwhelmed by it. As usual, Apple gave advance notice of their debut event of the iPad, saying "Come see our latest creation". Perhaps it's the fault of the media and the fanboys that such great hype was built up that no product could live up to?

I don't think so. Apple purposely built the hype. They didn't have to tell everyone about this big January 27th event. It could've been under the radar, or even just launched online. Perhaps part of a larger group of announcements. But no. Grandiosely and magnificently, Apple would deliver the ultimate instrument of panacea to the masses. Let your troubles cease and marvel in what Apple has given humanity. 

Lest you think I'm exaggerating, have you seen the iPad website? The splash text says it's, "Our most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price." Whoa, Apple had the hyperbole machine running at full speed when they cranked that line out. 

Now, I'm not fully immune to the legendary effects of Steve Jobs' Reality Distortion Field®, but this day it had almost no effect on me whatsoever. Magical? Revolutionary?

Nope - just a bigger iPod touch. 

Not that it isn't a good product or a step in the right direction. It's the next logical evolution for the iPhone OS. The iPad isn't a piece of crap, nor is it revolutionary. It's just a neat device that does some things a lot of people are going to want to do. 

If Apple debuted it in a different manner, in a different tone, I might be singing it's praises and saying what a great thing they've done here. But to have it rammed down our throats like this is the best thing since Jesus Christ is a little much. 

However, it doesn't matter what you or I or the technorati feel; Apple has geared the iPad at the masses. The average consumer who wants to get on Facebook, share photos, then do a little light email checking before heading into Farmville. So perhaps their marketing strategy is the right one: after all, if you say anything long enough and loud enough and people will believe it. 

Perhaps Apple has enough sway with the mainstream consciousness that plenty of people will buy the iPad. I hope they do, because I want to buy iPad version 3.