from my point of view, once the ipad is out in the market, there will be use for it. and knowing apple, they will strive to ensure that the ipad is a success much like the iphone.

if u look at the iphone, the hardware spec isn't the top of the line technology. and the OS itself has some setback such as no multitasking etc. Yet, u see other mobile phone maker tries hard to imitate iphone, example LG S-Class UI interface and even Samsung.

another classic case is the iTunes, Android decided taking the similar ways with Android Market, Nokia with Ovi and even Windows Marketplace. and i heard that Sony is taking similar steps.

i forsee that it is good for the hospital staff. the nurses and doctors can go around and have the patient records with her iPad which could be transmitted wirelessly from the hospital servers. same goes for ambulance staff, once they got info from a particular patient while treating them, they could administer the correct drug which the patient could be allergic to.

the police could use it too when checking against driving license, car registration etc..

yup.. i'm thinking of getting one. instead of a netbook. purely for entertainment.