The topic here at 140conf NYC is “Exploring the State of Now” and the mix of speakers certainly embodies this. What do I mean? Well, the main thing that is becoming completely apparent to me as I sit in the 2nd row is that everyone has a completely different perspective about what the realtime web means to the world.  They each highlight different nuances, consequences, lessons and possibilities that the realtime offers.  It’s great because I was concerned that this conference would be a parade of digerati and my most hated term:  ”digital natives” (wouldn’t digital natives be computer programs born from other computer programs?).    But, as each speaker takes their turn I get a wonderful sense of the complexities we embody as a species.

This goes beyond the realtime web to a deeper conclusion:  The Realtime web = The Human experience in Real Time.  Thats what has been emerging as all our technologies grow and allow a meshing of human thoughts, ideas and feelings.  The real time web is a reflection of who we are as a worldwide culture.  As such there is a richness in participating, the kind one senses when they travel, their hearts open and horizons broaden.

Overhyped?  uh HUH!

Overpriced?  mmmm a little…

Worth the mania?   I think it is!

Here’s why: The Apple iPad represents the mainstreaming of a new computing and entertainment concept, the entertainment tablet.  It’s not a productivity or communications tool, rather a new way to interact with a world of “apps” the small programs that run on mobile devices.

That’s been the big story of the last couple years, little inexpensive programs that run on your phone and offer you entertainment for moments of downtime, while waiting in lines, to occupy your children and any other non-productive moment.  They rock!  Fun games that are entertaining and clever, restaurant finders and review apps and much much more.  Tablets (thats what an iPad is) simply take away the phone functionality and give you a huge screen!  Pretty awesome if you ask me.  Imagine a game of scrabble on the kitchen with family and then with a quick shift you can grab that new recipe you are ready to try.  Or a beautiful digital picture frame that can then stream  music to your stereo or help you plan a trip with it’s huge map interface.

The iPad is the first to market in my opinion.  Sure there have been other tablets, but none with the app development and potential to mainstream this fun concept.

I won’t be buying one though.  I will enjoy watching this unfold as I continue to wait for a really awesome, inexpensive Android based tablet.  Thats what I did with my Cell Phone.  I will admit I had to endure two years of blackberries and taunts of “where is your iphone?” until my Droid came out (BEST PHONE EVER!).  For me Apple products are perfect for: laptops and music players, otherwise I prefer the openness and flexibility of the Android platform for these other devices.

I also rated the iPad on Bubbalon.com, check it out if you haven’t and rate the iPad too!