iPad magic saving the paper world.

Read today that Richard Branson, or excuse me, Sir Richard Branson and his Virgin is launching a magazine only for iPad. Tuesday next week there will be a press conference in New York about "Project", the working title of the project.

Virgin has done virtually everything else in media but magazine publishing, and perhaps the timing is connected to a new subscription solution that Apple is launching for iPad. But it's most likely also connected to the fact that Branson wants the Apple magic to rub off onto Virgin and himself.

But Branson is obviously not the only one to spot a business and brand opportunity. Most major news conglomerates are lining up to create iPad versions of the dying paper dittos.

And, by the way, we are still awaiting Rupert Murdoch and News Corp's The Daily, said to launch in December.

Another gadget.

I recently wrote about how to avoid buying unnecessary gadgets. Well, I recently made a trip to the Big Apple and guess what, I've bought THE completely unnecessary gadget: the iPad (or maxiPad as it is called by some). They're not yet on the market here in Sweden and I couldn't resist buying the upsized version of the iPhone.

It started the day after my arrival. I visited the 24/7 Apple Store on fifth avenue and quickly found out the new 3G version would be released at the end of the week and so decided to wait. The day after the release I went back. In store after store (there are four around Manhattan) they were sold out. Both versions. And after much discussion with the Apple people I decided not to buy the 3G version after all since nobody could promise it would work in Europe. Now I just had to find a place where they weren't sold out. The day same day I was scheduled for departure I found my iPad. In the store on fifth avenue where my search had started a week earlier.

After returning home yesterday we have now been introduced and slowly getting to know one another. The problem right now is how to buy apps since it doesn't connect to the Swedish iTunes. But after mirroring my iPhone apps, at least I've got started with Spotify and a few necessities.

So, here she is: