TECHNOLOGY REPORT

Update: Well, the reviews seem a bit mixed from the tech crowd even as the TV news stories are about the best thing Apple could have hoped for – breathless anchors telling us how much they want an iPad.

Wall Street Journal has a good summary of the early buzz. My take so far is that these are the key features in play:

“low price” “giant iPhone” “many applications” “high quality” “no still or video camera” “potential typing challenges”

This morning Apple launched what is almost certain to become the new tablet computing standard, the Apple iPad. Reviews will be coming in at a lightning pace today and we’ll try to summarize them later, but in the meantime here’s a great “Everything you need to know about the iPad” piece from the Gizmodo people.

Apple iPAD launches

Even as reports come in that CES 2010 won’t be as big as CES 2009 or CES 2008, an exception to the size reductions is coming from an unlikely direction.   The Apple iPod .   The CES  iLounge, sponsored by the website iLounge, will feature a large number of Apple products and accessories.   The plans are to exhibit in a very big way at this year’s CES.

According to a report much earlier this year by Mark Harris at TechRadar, Apple is not only abandoning MacWorld  Expo but they are allocating massive space to showcase products at CES 2010 in Las Vegas in January.   The iLounge exhibit at CES  had 18,000 square feet as of the article’s publication in January.

“Leading Apple developers and retailers are excited to have such an outstanding stage at the 2010 International CES,”

“Whether they’re showing off iPod accessories, iPhone applications, or the latest and coolest new Mac products, they know that they’ll find the world’s largest audience at this great new pavilion.”

Historically Apple has had a very limited presence at CES events, tending to make a big splash at MacWorld instead.    It’s not clear why the big change this year and it seems odd for Apple to abandon one of their most prominent venues, but in the fast pace world of computing loyalties can change almost as fast as the technologies.

Some of the mystery surrounding the condition of Apple CEO and founder Steve Jobs ended tonight.   Jobs is recovering from a liver transplant he had in Tennessee about two months ago and is expected back at work at Apple soon.    The WSJ reports:

Steve Jobs, who has been on medical leave from Apple Inc. since January to treat an undisclosed medical condition, received a liver transplant in Tennessee about two months ago. The chief executive has been recovering well and is expected to return to work on schedule later this month, though he may work part-time initially.

Mr. Jobs didn’t respond to an email requesting comment. “Steve continues to look forward to returning at the end of June, and there’s nothing further to say,” said Apple spokeswoman Katie Cotton.

Tomorrow’s Apple stock may surge Monday on this news as there has been widespread speculation that Jobs would not be able to return to Apple at full strength where that now appears to be a distinct possibility.   Under Jobs leadership Apple effectively resurrected itself as a viable technology company after nearly imploding under the pressure of cheap, massive PC sales in the 1990s.     Yet thanks to the iPOD, iPHONE, and other Apple gadgets the company has enjoyed a huge resurgence in popularity, prestige, and most importantly for investors….stock price.