Ok, so I have had my iPad for a little over a month now and have used it often. During this time I have been able to formulate my thoughts on it and come to the conclusion that its a OK device, but not revolutionary or magical as the commercial would try to make you think. The fact of it is its no more then a enlarged iPod touch. Features and functionality that we have been use to for several years now. The device is optimized for reading IMHO and that is pretty much what I use it for. When I break it down to what I like about the platform it really is only the blog/pdf reading capabilities and even at that I still like paper books (I know a hold out) as I find with the iPad I shift back from portrait to landscape quite often or pinching to expand/reduce enough to break my reading flow. However what I do not like about the platform seem to be far greater.

1. I feel like i am getting absolutely screwed for my 3G access with Rogers.

2. When I want to download an application that is greater then 20mb it will not do so (even though I have lots of bandwidth) without either tethering or connecting to a wifi network. Both of those options may not be available when I want to get the piece of software I purchased.

3. Most of the applications that are available ‘Are the Suck’. Lets be honest here if they want to report 250,000 apps on the store they should also report 248000 pieces of shit also up there.

4. You have to pay for that crap application to actually verify that you paid for an absolutely craptastic application. Most do not give enough detail or allow some trialware to make sure that you are happy with your purchase.

5. Games that want to reach in my pocket and scoop out the last available cents. Last night I downloaded an update to a game that I had purchased. On starting the game I get a you should by the game at .99 cents now as its going up to 1.99 in a week. No option to go to no thanks, and continue. Either purchase or go to their website.

6. Suffice it to say I do not believe the iPad in itself is a great game platform. Do not get me wrong, there are some great things that can be done however for me the platform is not only the game but the interaction with the game. 2 things turn me off 1) the size of it is too big to hold for long durations of time while twisting, turning or tilting that the novelty just wears off. 2) as playing goes on the screen becomes more sticky/difficult to do fluid motions. Fingers get moist and eventually dragging becomes encumbered ensuring that I am not having the most optimal playing experience.

So I will continue to use my iPad for reading when I do not have a book available but otherwise I will be discontinuing my 3G service with Rogers come the end of this month. I will also stop purchasing applications from the store until there is a better way to confirm that what I order is what I really want.