Why Is Every Non-geek In My Family in a Froth About the iPad?

[Lemur]

I'm kinda bleh about the iPad announced today. It might be cool, I'm sure it's well-designed, but I can't get all worked up about it. My extended family, on the other hand ... hmm. I've had not one but two relatives call me in the middle of my workday and demand to know what I thought of the thing. They're watching the unveiling on CSPAN. No, really, they are.

What do Orgahs think? Is this really a big deal, or is it just crazed hype? From what I've heard the iPad is just a supersized iPhone. Which is cool, and nice, but not really earth-shaking, y'know?

It's still being announced, so here's a kinda-live link if you want to read up. And here's the Apple product page.