So the iPad is here, and predictably, people are queuing round the block to get it. Rimma Perelmuter, executive director of the Mobile Entertainment Forum, believes the device marks “a genuine turning point in the evolution of mobile content,” saying that the large form factor and tactile user experience will introduce a new wave of engaging and exciting content.

Personally, I can’t help but think of the woman in the focus group I observed a few weeks ago, who cradled the device in her arm for five minutes and then complained that it was getting a bit heavy. My advice to anyone tempted to buy one would be to spend a good 15 minutes playing with it in the shop to get the initial wow factor out of the way, and then splash the cash if you’re still feeling that way inclined. But what do I know?

From my own personal experience, the device seems to have split the tech community, with some geeks and bloggers falling over themselves to praise the iPad’s beauty, and others going out of their way to say how underwhelmed they are by it. In an attempt to canvass some sort of opinion on what the future holds for the iPad, we’ve made it the subject of our current poll, asking whether the device is the latest work of groundbreaking genius from Apple, or a 10-minute wonder. To vote, simply sign in or register and scroll down to the bottom of the page to cast your vote.

David Murphy

Editor