The new Apple tablet has been taking headlines since it was shown onstage by Steve Jobs late January. The device is an impressive piece of engineering, a single touch screen tablet that lets users access WiFi and 3G networks to go online and bring you internet connectivity. The tablet also supports applications for the iPod Touch and the iPhone which gives it a vast library of already available resources.

Its’ name may conjure images of a sanitary napkin, but the iPad is no laughing matter. This device could potentially change the way we look at daily published materials and the way we access the internet. Should the device replace daily published material, it can save us tons of paper used in newspapers and magazines, as well as plenty of fuel used in the publication and shipping processes. Aside from net access, the iPad also supports games, eBooks and the Apple iWork software (which allows users to type with an onscreen virtual keyboard). This 9.7 inch touch screen device comes with an A4 processor clocked at 1GHz (reportedly using ARM technology).

Anyway, those looking forward to purchasing this device will have to wait a little longer as Apple has announced that the device will not be out in the UK until later in April. The US version will be out a lot earlier by April 3 though only the 3G version of the device will be initially availably. It has been said that the non-3G version will be available when the iPad launches in the UK.

Apple has been quiet regarding the reasons why the release has been pushed back and why the non-3G version is not yet available. Speculations are currently pointing to recent news about Apple’s China manufacturers having production problems.

Read more about the delay in the iPad’s release at Mobile Today UK.

There are rumors that the Apple iPad will have a built in webcam.

Not announced, but highly plausible. Considering that video conferencing online is a major feature of being able to access the internet, it is likely that the iPad just might have a video camera installed. As to why Apple has been keeping it secret (if there is one) still remains to be answered. Initial shots of the iPad do not clearly show a slot for the camera, though a few burry images do hint at the possibility.

Whether the device comes with a camera or not, it is almost certain that the Apple tablet is here to stay. The device is not yet available and yet it is already making rounds in major events. Stephen Colbert literally pulled an iPad out of his coat when he was going to announce the nominees at the 52nd annual Grammy awards this week. The much applauded comic routine was a testament to the social impact the device already has at a very early stage.

Some tech enthusiasts are first to raise eyebrows at Apple’s newfangled gadget. Considering that apple has strong control over hardware and software content on the device, many believe that the iPad’s dominance in the tablet department would constrict innovation –though the same argument can be said about the iPhone and that was not such a bad thing.

Anyway, the iPad comes with a 9.7 inch touch screen which will give users a full 1024 x 768 pixels of resolution allowing websites to be viewed as they should be. Flash is not supported on the device; Steve Jobs is reportedly focused more on HTML5 than Flash. Multi tasking is also disabled on the tablet though the specs show that the device can handle it.

See more of the camera module on the iPad at Engadget.

If you get a mobile a phone, it will be primarily out of need. Mobile phones let you send SMS/MMS messages as well as make and receive calls. If you get a computer, you know that you can handle office or schoolwork with the device. If you get a tablet, well, what do you really need a tablet for?

Not to say that the new Apple tablet, iPad is not useful (because it is). The real concern here is whether people know what they need it for.

With net access becoming more and more common to everyone and online networking becoming the standard for modern socializing, it makes sense that devices such as the iPad become a part of households. Though it does nothing that you cannot do on a small net book or a really high-end mobile phone (in terms of social networking), the iPad is a device that makes net access very easy for anyone. Thanks to the touch screen user interface, browsing and using the tablet is intuitive and easy to learn.

Aside from being easy to use, the iPad also addresses some particular needs. For one, you can actually do short document editing on the device. The iPad comes with the iWork application for handling the creation and editing of various documents and the onscreen keyboard allows you to type easily. The device also functions as a digital book reader, making for a great alternative to devices such as the Kindle.

For games, the iPad is compatible with most apps for the iPhone and the iPod Touch, though apps made exclusively for the iPad will not be compatible with the two devices dues to the high native resolution on the tablet.