Steve Jobs and Apple are at it again with an amazing, world changing piece of technology. The iPad is a lovely, functional toy that brings back all kinds of holiday memories - both of wanting something shiny and awesome so badly you can burst, and then those first few euphoric minutes after you actually get it. But the iPad is different from all those children’s toys, in that it serves a real function. In fact, it serves at least 5. Let’s examine them.

1. It lets you read books anywhere. Using its e-reading capabilities, the iPad lets you read a book (or magazine or other periodical), no matter where you are. So if you have a long commute, you can get a LOT of reading done, without lugging around a large satchel full of books and news papers.

2. You can do faster research into what you are reading. If you are looking for a specific instance in a book (such as when Pip first started abusing his fortune in “Great Expectations”), you can search for specific key words related to your search, instead of having to thumb through something. And if you are looking for a particular bit of subject matter (such as what sort of salesforce integration Xerox practices), the iPad can also help you find it.

3. You can check out pictures in vivid detail. With the iPad’s full color screen and zooming capabilities, you can check out every last detail of every image you encounter, whether in a book or online.

4. You can read news stories pretty much as they happen. The iPad requires no printing presses – so very shortly after a newsworthy event transpires, you can check it out. It simply does not get any timelier than that.

5. You can quickly call up information. With the iPad’s ability to let you take notes, and “hot swap” different reading materials, you can read something, not something about it, and switch to something else… then look at your notes and compare sources. This could very useful if you have a report to write.