The iPad, Apple's 9.7-inch tablet-style computer, was announced on January 27, 2010 at an Apple press conference by bigwig Steve Jobs. Of course, the media went rabid over any ounce of information they could find on this so-called revolutionary device, and Apple enthusiasts lined up to get on the waiting list for the chance to buy their very own iPad on release day — May 28 in Canada.

As I witnessed the immediate flood of excitement that washed over future buyers, I couldn't help but find the whole thing a bit silly — we all have laptops, smart phones and fancy MP3 players capable of doing anything from chatting with friends on the other side of the world to watching the newest music videos online. Even many modern MP3 players come with wi-fi capabilities, a camera and a web browser. With all these toys already cluttering up our desks, handbags and backpacks, who could possibly need an iPad? Isn't it just another device to perform the exact same functions with a slight variation in size and input method? The idea is to pack everything into one device, but consumers still insist on carrying a variety of tools to perform these functions.

When May 28 rolled around and Canadians could finally get their hands on the coveted device, I suddenly started to spot the iPad everywhere — the bus, in class and on the average office desk. What's going on here? The iPad is nothing more than another Internet-browsing device in addition to your smart phone, laptop and MP3 player — isn't it?

Clearly there must be something I've ignored. What have I overlooked — a capability that my other devices don't have? A reason I'd add an iPad to the electronic soup already floating around my life?

After chatting with classmates and friends, I got many different responses as to the reason for purchasing an iPad. Some say it's a faster way to access the Internet than using a laptop. Others say it's a better way to play games than a traditional console or handheld device. It has the same apps as an iPhone, but with a larger screen so they are simpler and more enjoyable. While some use their iPads religiously, others play with it for a couple of weeks until the thrill wears off, and they sit untouched as more traditional devices are resurrected.

One thing the iPad does right is mobile media. Sure, every device can play a movie, but who wants to watch it on their phone's tiny screen? It's also great for browsing the web, especially on pages that are just too detailed for a tiny screen — but remember, with no Flash support, content access may be limited.

While responses over the real usefulness of the iPad have varied greatly, we know one thing for sure: no matter what product Apple announces next, they'll have no problem getting excited customers on the waiting list, ready to fork over their cash on release day.