Most analysts have argued that the ipad is just a larger version of the ipod touch/iphone and I would agree.  That said, why isn’t the ipad just a screen/interface that you tether to your iphone/ipod–essentially a small monitor and mouse combined.  The answer of course is economic–the old package deal.  I want to see was a touchscreen interface device that could plug into any number of emerging mobile devices.  That will require a unilateral protocol that apple willl probably never implement , but given some time this infant industry may evolve one.