Will the iPad work as a standalone computer, the only one that someone owns? Much of the geek led interest in the iPad stems from its simplification of the computing experience. A device for "the rest of us" that focuses on getting things done with the computer, not doing computing. I agree with this viewpoint, but it does raise a troubling issue. How does someone back up an iPad? The easy option is to backup to a local Mac or PC, but if this is meant to simplify computing, then why do you need another computer to act as sync and backup.
I've read that there is a small segment of iPhone owners who bought it for the internet everywhere computing device I mentioned in a previous post. For some people the iPhone was their only computer, it mostly works in that mode too, as long as your needs are not great.
Backup is the aspect that is not covered. The announcement video and details on Apple's website give some information, but I suspect there is more to come. One suggestion which comes to mind involves additional hardware from Apple. They already have the Time Capsule device for automatic backup of a Mac and it works as a wireless hub too. I can see a wireless access point with a 1-200GB drive inside, plus a dock connector as a single device from Apple. It would provide backup when docked, wireless access when not and a place to charge the iPad overnight.
We are not yet at the point where internet backup restore is that feasible, most people still have 512k ADSL at home, rather than ADSL2+ rates of up to 24meg. Also the customers for this machine are not likely to be the purchasers of high end internet access. A simple backup device like this sticks with the simplicity approach which the iPad offers, plus it gives Apple another profit rich accessory for them to sell.
The Time Capsule already has a USB port, I'd expect a cheaper version of with iPad support using this USB port to be released. Potentially the dock version I mention above and software support for the current models as a USB led iPad backup. 1TB is a bit excessive for a 16-64GB device and $299 is two thirds of the cost of the iPad. Apple may decide to push for more MobileMe subs though and an internet based backup system. Restoring 64GB over basic ADSL is going to take a while... So a smaller and cheaper Time Capsule would be a better match.
Building Social Web Applications by Gavin Bell.
Have you considered that people with limited needs also have limited needs for storage?
I recon that people who is able to live with the iPad as their only computer also could live with online storage. If you have something like Mobile Me, all your mail and contacts are automatically backed up by Apple.
A service like Dropbox would provide a good cloud storage for documents and pictures (you can pay to upgrade storage). The fact that a lot still has limited bandwidth isn't really a problem unless you need to back up all the files at once. If you, on the other hand, always sync changes as they are made, only small amounts of data are transferred at once.
If you want to go wireless, I say go all the way :)