The first time I heard about the Apple iPad, I thought it was some joke. I eventually discovered it was a real device. I thought that it was a funny way for Apple to pun its own line of digital products. But then I realized that it is actually a pretty nifty idea for a product.

First, iPad is undeniably sticky; it sounds like Apple's digital genius, the iPod, which has spawned a line of its own.

The most common reactions to those who have detected the iPad for the first time is a mixture of surprise and pleasant confusion. The moment you hear it, you start to think about it.

Next, the iPad lives up to its name and I just do not mean the Apple brand. It is very literal that it is almost funny. When I first heard about it, after I got over its pronunciation issue, I thought about its looks. My friend told me that the iPad resembles a clipboard or a tablet, and I just couldn't really believe that it was going to look like that. It looked like a huge iPod. Somehow, we all got used to the fancy and metaphorical model names of gadgets

The iPad looks like a thick pad of paper, a clipboard or a tablet. It works on a touchscreen interface, which cancels the need for a keyboard or a pen. However, unlike most touchscreen gadgets, the iPad is a multi-touch device; you can pinch, drag, and tap two visual objects on the screen with your fingers at the same time. It is a lightweight gadget at 68 grams and 13.4 millimeters thick!

Think of it as a large iPod Touch with the ability to create documents via iWork, which is Apple's office program. It can create slide presentations, word documents, spreadsheets, and heaps more. The iPad can store and play music and videos through iTunes. It also has Wi-Fi capabilities; therefore, you can experience Internet surfing, email, and even chat!

An iPod will have you squinting at the screen, but the iPad provides a large enough screen to properly enjoy videos and movies.

Apple thinks of the iPad as its revolutionary project that will bring all the other competitors to shame. We have yet to experience the lasting power of this magical product and its 150,000+ applications from Apple. It makes you think: how in the world am I going to use all 150,000 of them?