The Apple iPad has yet to hit the market, and the tech blogs are full of negative reviews. I wondered the reason behind this, and came to realize the "tech" group is likely not necessarily Apple's target audience for the iPad. The tech segment is a finicky bunch; they want their devices every single child do everything under the sun. They want to be able to tweak a device to meet their very specific needs. Well, the iPad was not really designed for all that.

Instead, I think the iPad was designed for those individuals that have not really been able to justify the purchase of a full laptop computer. It really is for those individuals that just need to surf the Internet, send a few emails, and read a number of eBooks. As an added bonus they can do so from the comfort of their couch, or on the road while traveling. This gizmo is just fancy enough for those that don't need the complexities and cost of a full laptop, yet have to have something larger than a tiny cell phone screen.

If you ask me, the target demographic for this device is much older than the typical tech segment. I would be willing to guess that the average age of an iPad user will be in the mid 40s. Read there will be lots of young individuals buying it, but I also think it will likely be a fantastic device for grandmas and grandpas. Consider it, a device that is super simple to use, is light weight, and handles fundamental computing needs. It also has various great additional features built right in.

Things like a VoiceOver screen reader and an easy zoom feature to make text easier to read and images easier to see. I would recommend this device to any grandma or grandpa. No need to worry about learning all the particulars of a full computer and the linked complex operating system. Instead, you find a simple to use interface with easy access to Internet and email. If that is not enough, you're going to get a definite boost in the coolness factor when you visit the grandkids and pull out an iPad.

I am going to give a big hardy laugh when I see the parents and grandparents of my techie friends buying iPads. I will know the causes why they bought one. For those who have a kid that is one of these techies, feel free to display it in public and just tell them, "The iPad isn't for you."