Friday Takeaway: We Have Liftoff

Just shy of a month ago, Apple ushered in a new era for the company and tablet computers in general with the launch of the iPad. As of today, that staggered launch is completed with the introduction of the iPad 3G. Readers from other countries are still waiting for the iPad to launch in their respective homelands, but at least in the United States, the iPad launch is now accomplished.

Apple's retail stores are closing today from 4 to 5 PM in preparation for launching the new device, one that few people have yet to get their hands on. Gizmodo even reported that an Apple employee who demoed the 3G unit to former Apple big wig, Steve Wozniak, was fired for the indiscretion. Lines have no doubt formed around the walls of your local Apple Store in anticipation of the 5 PM launch, and those who pre-ordered may have already received one (or two) at their doorstep.

Due to the larger price tag, it's likely that fewer 3G units will sell than the Wi-Fi only units, simply because most early adopters already own an iPhone and are paying for mandatory 3G service. We expect that as the device becomes more ingrained in the consciousness of consumers, as well as when the second generation of iPads inevitably launches, having 3G on the iPad will be more in demand. We also still await competition in the 3G market, with AT&T being the only company Apple is doing business with right now.

Should the next iPhone support 4G wireless, we would expect that the next generation iPad would follow suit. How the 3G iPad handles given AT&T's somewhat unstable service, depending on your location, is a story we're eager to follow. Should the company prove itself worthy, it could gain the foothold it needs to maintain customers for generations (of iPads) to come.

If you're picking up a 3G model today, please share your thoughts and launch day stories with us by leaving a comment!