13 iPad Rules

As a public service here are my proposed iPad rules:

1. The is no rule or law that says you must buy an iPad.
2. There are cheaper netbooks and full featured laptops that do what the iPad does.
3. Rules 1 & 2 don’t mean the iPad sucks.
4. The Apple hype machine is in full force, achieving new highs in product placement and superlative usage.
5. Rule #4 doesn’t mean the iPad sucks.
6. Those who say you must buy an iPad are wrong.
7. Those who say an iPad is a complete waste of money are wrong.
8. In a year or so there will be a second generation iPad which will do more and either cost less or provide more hardware for the same price.
9. The 3rd party apps will determine if the iPad is a “magical device”.
10. iPad apps on day 1 will be either buggy or vary basic.
11. Once developers get their hands on real iPads for testing the apps will quickly improve and rule #10 will be forgotten.
12. Most magazine and newspaper publishers will consider the iPad a failure because people won’t pay $600 for a device and then pay a hefty subscription fee. At least not enough to replace lost advertising a subscription revenue.
13. Some magazine and newspaper publishers will avoid rule 12 by leveraging the iPads unique features or charging a relatively low or free subscription with advertising support.