iPhone News Updated

Apple’s iPad: Bigger Than iPhone And Kindle?

The public doesn’t care what the technorati think. They still want to buy Apple’s (AAPL) new iPad tablet computer, despite perceived shortcomings noted by the gadget press and tech bloggers.

After Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs demonstrated the iPad at a media event on Jan. 27, the tech elite nitpicked about the device: It doesn’t support Flash animation software. It lacks a Webcam for video conferencing. It uses AT&T’s maligned wireless network. It has a funny name. And on and on.

But that didn’t douse consumer enthusiasm for the touch-screen slate computer, set to go on sale in late March. Update: Apple said Friday the iPad will go on sale in the U.S. on April 3, with pre-orders starting March 12.

Consumer demand for Apple’s iPad is higher than the demand for Apple’s iPhone ahead of its launch three years ago, according to a survey of nearly 3,200 consumers by ChangeWave Research. ChangeWave also says the iPad is poised to topple Amazon’s (AMZN) Kindle.

The research firm says 13% of respondents indicated they are likely to buy the iPad when it becomes available, vs. 9% for the iPhone smart phone before its launch.

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Consumer 10.0: Web service can help cut monthly cell phone bills

Dissatisfied wireless customers got their due last week.

After years of complaints about early-termination fees, the Federal Communications Commission finally showed signs of a serious inquiry into the charges. And the shortcomings of AT&T Wireless’ network, familiar to disgruntled iPhone users, drew wide attention for an ironic reason: Apple’s decision to stick with AT&T when it launches its eagerly awaited iPad mobile computer this spring.

But today’s column isn’t about dissatisfied wireless customers. It’s about the vast majority of the nation’s 276 million wireless subscribers who are at least modestly happy with a technology that has changed so many aspects of their day-to-day lives.

Happy, I’d venture, but for one thing: their monthly bills.

CTIA, an industry group that tracks that astounding number of subscribers, says they bring in an average of about $550 a year in revenue, or a total of $151 billion.

If you feel like you’re contributing a little too much to that pie, you may find help from a Texas start-up, Validas, and its Web site: www.MyValidas.com.

Validas has just 10 employees, and its online tool has an occasional rough edge. But it’s easy to see why it’s already finding a niche in evaluating bills for consumers, businesses, and even one of the major national carriers. Validas helps customers live up to its motto: “Fight back against your cell phone bill!”

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