So, the Apple iPad is finally unveiled with the usual razmataz that comes with an Apple product launch.

It is basically a big iPhone.  A touchscreen device with great battery life and a 9.7inch high def screen…

BUT…

I can’t help thinking “what’s it for?”.  Or maybe that should be “who is it for?”.

I have a MacBook and an iPhone.  The iPad is supposed to fill the gap between these two products by being great at video, music, photos, email, web, books and games.  It also runs versions of the iWork apps, pages, numbers and keynote.

So,

Video: I can watch video on my iPhone and MacBook.

Music: I listen to music on my iPhone and MacBook and both have iTunes and App store links.

Photos: I take photos with my iPhone and store, edit, share them and look at them on my MacBook.

Email: I email on both iPhone and MacBook.  They both work fine with Exchange for work too.

Web: I surf on my MacBook and when I’m out and about I use my iPhone.  Sure a bigger screen would be nice, but it won’t fit in my pocket.

Books: I read books using Stanza on my iPhone or I, you know, read a book.  I read news online on my MacBook or via RSS feeds.

Work: Nice, but actually I’d prefer iWork for my iPhone so I can read and alter documents without taking my laptop.  At the moment I use Quickoffice or DocsToGo which work just fine.  If I need more capability I take my MacBook.

So, where is the gap?  I don’t see it.

I don’t want/need something that will only let me run one App at a time.  I want to be able to grab stuff from the web or a pdf and copy it into a document.  I want to have a video open on my screen alongside a document, just like I did today watching the iPad Launch.  I don’t need a digital photoframe.  I want FLASH so I can see the WHOLE of the WEB.   I want a webcam and mic so I can talk to people using Skype.  I want a portable gaming device that fits in my pocket and that doesn’t have MUG ME written all over it.

But then I have a MacBook.  And an iPhone.

Apart from all that it looks great.  I want to like it.

I like the iBook store and hope they will work on my iPhone.  I like the App Store and wish they would open it up for MacBook Apps.

Maybe version 2 will actually fill a gap… if there is one.  Or maybe people would quite like a touchscreen MacBook.  Please.