Well the moment has finally arrived! I’ve received my “free” iPad courtesy of a close friend who paid me in tech for some admin work.

I’ve taken the usual unboxing pix and am now syncing it up with all my iPad apps I’ve downloaded in preparation of this glorious moment.

Only movies, books, and video podcasts are making it into my media syncing. I’m going to stick with iPhone for music and audio.

How excited am I? I’m beside myself. I’ve already burnt my dinner as I’m overwhelmed with the fervor of my imagination of the changes this will make in how I access information.

I’m a HUGE Star Trek fan and during the entire series of The Next Generation, I fantasized about the Captain’s P.A.D. (yes, that too). See, in ST:TNG, tech took a new “back seat” in being seamless and intuitive in daily living, as opposed to the original series with Kirk and Spock, where tech was part of the allure. Apple’s iPad, and frankly, Apple’s Vision, is making the future a reality of today by doing the same thing. It’s mesmerizing us with newfangled gadgets which we seamlessly work into our lives, slowly and effortlessly moving their status from novel to necessity in a blink of an eye.

Using touch, I can interface with the elements, create beautiful layouts and presentations, and get even more nerdy than I was yesterday. Although it’s not common knowledge, Apple developed this tablet BEFORE the iPhone. Launching the iPhone first was a brilliant, and in my opinion, strategic act on Apple’s strengthening their mobile offerings.

So, my new iPad friend, welcome to my Apple family. I loved you before I held you in my hands. (yea, it’s still syncing).