Apple iPad - any good for photographers?

Apple iPad

Wow - did you see Steve Jobs launch the new Apple iPad??!! No, I didn't either - I was on a photo shoot!!
As is typical of the hype when Apple launches new gadgets there was lots of media cover etc etc. What I want to know is how come Apple manage to keep things like this under wraps for soooo long without anyone getting an idea of what the details are??!! Please, can we have Apple security division running Mi5 or Mi6 ??!!
Anyway, to the gist of the post. The iPad - any good for photographers?
I've not read loads on the new machine, not much on the way of tech specs etc but the first thing that springs to mind is being able to use it as a storage facility when your out and about. (Ok, not sure how were gonna get the images from the camera into the iPad without some other gadget...) At 65Gb it is a pretty hefty drive size, much better than the usual 30Gb on the portable viewers that are about.

Apple iPad - any good for photographers?

It would also give you the option of getting a dammed decent look at the images so you can do basic deleting, sorry editing! (Come on Adobe - how about a PS4 Lite for the iPad??!!!)
Next thing that springs to mind is being able to use it to show clients your images - the ultimate hand held portfolio. A device like this just brings the convergence of digital art closer.
Next on my think list is to use it as a photo-viewer at wedding fayres, wedding shoots and the like. Lets face it, is is gonna be a lot cheaper than the standard stuff you can get from Currys or Dixons - a bigger screen and it can do much more as well. All we need is a stand....
Next for me would be to catch up on the old CPD - Continuous Professional Development. I can read photography books, watch short film clips (I do like the Digital Photography Connectionstuff) and surf the web via the in built WiFi. (Im not sure about paying another £81 for 3G though!!! and I'd have to have contract on top of that as I can't see O2 giving me a dual sim!!)
Next up for me would be as a tool for updating my website via an iPad version of iWeb (if there is one? If not COME ON APPLE!!!!). I can shoot a wedding and whilst having a break get some images uploaded almost straight away!!
Given it's size it looks good, the demos look good so it just remains to be seen what it is like in real life...

Apple iPad - any good for photographers?

Thanks for reading..

Andrew Miller

www.andrew-miller.co.uk