It doesn't really matter which OS it's running if it does what I'm looking for. I know the iPad will have a wealth of apps that do what I want (or I'll write my own) it just won't have the pen input and the notebook feel I'm looking for.
I've had Windows Mobile devices before and been severely disappointed but that doesn't mean I'm not willing to give it another try, especially based on what I see in this video.
Hey if you want pen input you might look at getting a pogo sketch from tenonedesign.com - I've got one that I use on my mbp with inklet and I've tried it on my 1st gen ipod touch and it works there too. I'm guessing with its beefier processor the ipad will work even better.
Windows Mobile, under various names, has been under development since the late 90's. Microsoft had more than a decade to come out with a usable product and failed in that regard year after year after year. If Windows Mobile 7 turns out to be usable, I will start believing in miracles.
We shouldn't really count Microsoft out. Back in early 2000s, Palm had the lion's share of PDAs and then Microsoft pretty much turned the tables on them with the PocketPC which eventually became Windows Mobile.
However, when MS had the market lead, they just rested on their laurels and failed to innovate.
I don't think Apple will stop innovating soon. Still, don't count MS out.
I think Microsoft has finally realized that design really matters. Few people will argue that Windows 7 is not well designed, and even most of my mac "fanboy" friends concede this fact by stating "It's about time! Apple's been doing this forever!" as if that fact makes it ok that Windows 7 is friendlier and (imho) more usable than OS X ;)
Fanboy wars aside, I reiterate my first (and only real) point. I think Microsoft has finally realized that design really matters.
From what I've seen of Windows Phone 7, and Windows 7, and the few screenshots that came out of the Courier, I think that they have a _strong_ chance of it being gorgeous, well designed, and with a friendly interface.
Besides, I _really_ want a competitor to the iPad, not because I dislike Apple (I don't, their products are well designed and I own plenty of them), but because competition breeds innovation, and then we all win.
It's entirely possible they realized, after decades, design matters. What I doubt is that an organization that consistently failed to arrive at that simple realization, despite having a role model to follow (or copy) is, indeed, capable of acting on that conclusion.
The yesterday's weather principle dictates it's doubtful.
Seriously? Comparing one box that runs the same software iPhones and iPods run to another than runs... Windows Mobile?