So, I’m not sure what to be most blown away with. Because let’s face it, there’s a lot going on with the new iPhone 4. From the new get-out-your-microscope-to-see-the-pixels Retina Display, to the super-thin helicopter windshield glass body, once again we’re starting to live in the future thanks to Apple. And coming from my current iPhone 3G (that’s 3G, not 3GS), I can only imagine how snappy it will be with the A4 processor under the hood. Oh, and I’m sure all the new iOS4 features will be nice, too.

But I think for me, I can’t wait to try out the new 5-megapixel backside illuminated (are you kidding me?!) camera. I use my iPhone camera all the time. I find it is so handy to capture quick, unexpected moments with the twins. The increased quality will be great – as will the ability to capture 720p HD video!

And then there’s FaceTime. I think that Apple’s commercial pretty much sums it up. (Grab some Kleenex.)

Apple iPhone 4
Apple iOS 4
Apple WWDC 2010 Keynote Address by Steve Jobs

Here’s a few of the better reports from yesterday’s WWDC related announcements:

Daring Fireball
Engadget
Wired
ars technica
Andy Ihnatko’s Celestial Waste of Bandwidth
MacWorld

If people were to believe even a fraction of the many, many rumors circulating over the past decade, it would appear as if Palm was constantly on the verge of a takeover by one company or another. I can’t tell you how many times names like “Nokia” and “Dell” have been mentioned as possible buyers, never amounting to anything. More recently, hardware manufacturers like HTC were even thought of as potential buyers. That would have been an interesting thing to watch. Since gaining independence from 3Com, Palm has always managed to maneuver and deal and transform itself in order to stay afloat, plotting their own course with moderate success. Today marks a new chapter in the continuing saga of Palm, Inc.

With its $1.2 billion purchase of Palm, Hewlett-Packard signaled that it would take drastic action to remain relevant to consumers whose tastes in computing devices were radically changing.

H.P., the world’s largest computer maker, on Wednesday revealed its plans to acquire the struggling maker of the Pre and Pixi smartphones. The deal gives H.P. access to Palm’s homegrown software that can run phones, as well as other types of devices like computer tablets. H.P. has historically worked with partners for such technology — a strategy that has resulted in plummeting smartphone sales and tardiness in introducing mobile products.

I have to admit that I didn’t see this one coming. I would never have suspected HP as a company interested in Palm. But HP does have a lot to gain by taking on Palm. The most obvious asset for HP is webOS. Not only could this help HP bolster their own lackluster smartphone product line, but it also opens up possible new products that Palm could not successfully execute in their current condition. WebOS-powered tablets, anyone?

But I actually think that one of the most advantageous benefits for HP is gaining ownership of Palm’s intellectual property. In a time where touch-based interaction seems to be the direction of computing for the foreseeable future, Palm’s deep patent portfolio is of great value to a company like HP, who is progressing into this space with their own products like the TouchSmart line and their new Slate (which, to me, has one big drawback – Windows 7).

How Palm will be absorbed into HP remains to be seen. Will they become a fairly autonomous subdivision? Or will they be totally assimilated, like Compaq, Voodoo and (gasp) 3Com? Either way, Palm as an entity and their technologies survive to live another day.

That’s usually a good thing. And at first blush this appears to be a good thing for both Palm and HP. We’ll all find out as this unfolds.

“H.P. to Pay $1.2 Billion for Palm” – NY Times

HP/Palm investor presentation

HP News Release

Apple has lifted the pre-launch press embargo and the early iPad reviews are in. Commence Operation: iPad Media Blitz! Here’s a selection of the most interesting pieces so far. And, also interesting is the fact that the majority of early reviews are positive. Shocking!

Stephen Fry – for Time. Fry scores an impressive scenario – and hour with Steve and an iPad. Nice work, man. Love your work. And kudos to Time for hooking up with Fry!

Walt Mossberg – Wall Street Journal. My jaw dropped as I was reading Mossberg’s highly positive and insightful review. I completely expected him to be overly critical and generally negative about iPad.

Andy Ihnatko – Chicago Sun-Times. Andy’s in love, as expected. Look for more in a continuing series of reviews and analysis. He also has an extensive piece on a special edition of MacBreak Weekly.

David Pogue – New York Times. Is it me, or does Pogue play the part of the curmudgeon this time around?

Of course, I’ll be doing my own, obviously highly anticipated review once I receive my iPad. Yes, I have placed my pre-order, but I choose to get a 3G model, so no special shipment for me this Saturday. Patience is a lesson worth learning. Right?

Anatomy of Apple Design from Transparent House on Vimeo.

A beautiful piece by Transparent House. Enjoy.

Via Recobu.com

Charlie Rose spreads his patented ‘rational discussion field’ during an insightful conversation about iPad, with Walt Mossberg from The Wall Street Journal and David Carr from The New York Times. Also with Michael Arrington.

iPad is official. Fantastic? Sure looks like it. Magic? That’s probably a tad over the top. Perfect? What is? Here are a few observations which, since I didn’t get a Golden Ticket, are based strictly on the Apple web site, promo video and other eyewitness reports.

8 great things about iPad

Surprising price – Honestly, I was prepared for iPad to be $999. So for it to have an introductory, entry-level price of $499 is awesome. Even the top of the line models are well under $1K.

Wireless connectivity options galore – So, WiFi was a given. 3G was a maybe. We got options for both! One model with WiFi only and one with both 3G+WiFi. Interestingly, the 3G model also includes assisted GPS, which is very cool. And say what you will about AT&T’s coverage (it happens to be quite good here in Portland), there are a couple of things to like about the wireless deal that was struck. First, you can get unlimited data for $30 a month. What’s more, it appears that you are not bound by any long term contract and you can turn the service on and off at-will on a monthly basis. That’s actually kind of a nice option to have at your disposal, especially if you are on the road every so often.

Prolonged battery life – Up to 10 hours! If it even gets 8, that’s pretty amazing for a device with a display this size. Compare it to something like the MacBook Air which clocks in at 5 hours.

iBooks – Not so much a surprise announcement, but a welcome one to see come to fruition. Ebooks, er, iBooks, sorry, will be available in the iTunes store. And the iBook reader app UI looks amazing. Very interested to learn if iBooks will also be available on iPhone. I’m assuming so, but we’ll see. Now I look forward to seeing some of these periodical demos that have made the rounds lately become reality.

Updated apps and cross-compatibility – I’m enthused by what I’ve seen of both new apps and optimized/enhanced apps. The iBooks app looks awesome, as previously stated. But check out Calendar and Contacts. This is the way personal information management apps should look and function. Beautiful. And of the optimized third-party apps that were shown in the keynote, Brushes looks amazing. But the killer app? Cross-compatibility. We’ll be able to run the currently existing library of 140,000 iPhone apps on iPad. These apps will run either in a small window or scaled up to full screen size. Nice.

Meet A4 – Surprising to learn iPad will sport a minty brand new, Apple designed processor. The new A4 processor will be out in the wild and out in a big way. Judging by both the promo and other hands on video (see Engadget), this thing looks like a screamer. I’m looking forward to learning more about the A4, for sure.

Keyboard options – We knew that iPad would have an on-screen virtual keyboard, just like iPhone. But I was completely wrong about the device offering other text entry options. Specifically, Apple is also releasing what appears to be a super-cool keyboard dock. But get this — iPad will also allow you to use the current Bluetooth Apple Wireless Keyboard. Now we’re living in the future! Great news, and I hope that capability also trickles over to the iPhone.

Size – A 9.7 inch display enclosed in a case 9.5 x 7.5 inches and just half-an-inch thin. At around 1.6 pounds, perfect for tossing in a bag on your way out the door or for surfing in front of the TV.

And some not so great things…

Look ma, no camera – OK, I know that the notion of holding the iPad at arms length (something you’d have to do unless you have it docked on your desk or in a case/stand) isn’t a super-compelling posture for video conferencing. Imagine trying to hold it steady to stay in frame for your video conference buddy for more than a couple of minutes and you get the picture. But I was hoping it would have a built-in camera anyway. Deal breaker? Not at all for me.

What’s in a name? – To the delight of 12-year-olds everywhere (both chronological and psychological), the thing is called iPad. Plenty of parodies already out there, surely there are more to come. Ugh.

Delayed delivery! – If you looking at the Wifi model, you’re out 60 days until it is available. 90 days for the 3G model. I know, I know, good things come to those who wait. But come on! Needless to say, I’m looking forward to March or April for some real hands on time with what appears to be a sweet little machine.