I think everyone just had their expectations set really high. The Internet was buzzing about the new upcoming Apple “tablet” and people were dreaming up all kinds of ideas of what the features could be. The one feature that I was guessing was an eBook reader and for books to become available for purchase in iTunes. With Apple making a tablet device it would only make sense that they would go after the Kindle… and they are.
Anyone who purchased a Kindle is probably secretly regretting it now. The Kindle DX is around the same price as the lowest priced iPad. Color screen, more features… just better. I think the Kindle already looks like some sort of portable device we would have seen in the late 90s. It doesn’t look modern at all. It isn’t appealing for a lot of types of books and magazines, but the iPad is.
If you were thinking about getting a Kindle I would suggest waiting and getting the iPad. I don’t see any reason to pick up an iPad if you already have an iPhone or an iPod Touch. I expect Apple to eventually release the iBook reader app on the iPhone and iPod touch as well.
It’ll come down to how well the iBook store does and how much developers embrace this device.