Thing is when i am out in the boat I dont need to get on the internet do facebook and everything else. I am of the younger generation and just feel this is stuff is senseless, not saying its not cool. When Im at home im on the computer and at work if Im inbetween a phone will suffice in a pinch. I can see applications for business and such. But to have an Ipad, garmine and phone all the same time in aboat is way overboard. Again I just see this device as a inbetween that serves no real purpose besides cool factor. although I think it will push R&D and will drive cooler and better things in the future

You are definitely missing the boat on tablets. Sorry, but a useless device does not sell in the 10's of millions . . .

Good for avoiding weather, real time radar is nice.

Does anyone make a water proof or resistant housing for the ipad? My phone is a great back up, but it's too small for full time use on the dash. An ipad would certainly work, I wouldn't want to trash one the first time the saltwater spray gets on it!

http://www.medgestore.com/products/ipad-leisure.psp

Okay, now a way to mount in on the dash AND keep it protected...

Just add this.

I see a business opp for you Nort...

Seriously, I do see an opportunity for one of the case makers out there, but I can also see someone sticking a $500 price tag on them too. Until then, I might have to consider Nort's technology.

Does it pass the NEED test or more of a WANT?? Im not doubting its helpful or cool. But just seems like a more cool to have thing

Honestly we are saving tons of money because of ipads. We are no longer buying our salesman laptops. A laptop was costing us about $1500 and they had to be somewhere wireless or wired for it to be of any use. Not to mention it was a pain for them to get through an airport with. We are now buying our salesman pc's for under $500 and putting a $500 3G ipad in their hands. They can connect to their PC to get any data they need; they have connection everywhere they go; and airports are a breeze. We try and be an innovative company and we are even offering credit card transactions that run through a third party plug in device to the ipad. For us laptops are a thing of the past a long with thumb drives, cd burners, etc.