The Internet has been buzzing since Apple’s CEO, Steve Jobs (News - Alert), unveiled the iPad and announced the launch date for shipping was as early as March.

 

While some critics are quick to point out areas where the iPad is sure to fall short of expectations, others believe this is the next product Apple (News - Alert) needs to follow on the heels of a saturated iPod market.

 

According to a post in CNET, the company could easily sell two million iPads in fiscal 2010. This figure was shared on Wednesday by Needham & Company’s Charlie Wolf who also predicted the company would sell an additional six million devices in 2011. If such predictions are anywhere close to reality, Apple just may have hit the jackpot with this latest invention.

 

Apple may be hoping that its iPad performs like the latest iPhone (News - Alert) model – beyond analysts’ expectations. It wouldn’t be the first time Apple “wowed” the market and it is banking on the intention that it will not be the last.

Interestingly enough, Wolf points to the iPod Touch as being a key revenue driver for the iPad. In fact, he predicts more than half of the iPad sales would come from those who favor the iPod Touch as the iPad simply looks like a larger version.

While Wolf’s predictions may seem lofty to some, IDC (News - Alert) analyst Richard Shim noted in a CNET report last week that he estimates the company will move four million to five million iPad devices in 2010 alone.

Wolf is apparently waiting to see what will emerge as the catalyst to drive demand and adoption for the iPad. He pointed to such things as the iTunes Store for the iPod and the App Store for the iPhone. Developers are ready and waiting to launch applications as soon as the iPad is ready to ship.

As the launch date for the iPad continues to draw near, applications for the device are emerging in unexpected locations. The health care industry is one that could easily slide into the iPad as many hospitals and clinics are already starting to abandon paper-and-pen clipboards for hand-held digital tablets.

Cyber criminals have certainly identified opportunities within the iPad craze. According an AFP report, there is much opportunity for hackers and scammers to jump on the iPad bandwagon and lure curious Apple fans into booby-trapped websites that offer false promises of information about the new tablet computer.  

 

Just what the future of the iPad holds for Apple or for those seeking to capitalize on its offerings still remains to be seen. Considering Apple’s success in the market in recent years, expect this latest to make another splash.