The Kindle has 3G (current iPad doesn't, but apparently a version with it will be announced in 30 days).<p>Kindle 3G is free.<p>Kindle has 1 week battery life (iPad has 10 hours) - but probably doesn't matter, because people are used to recharging daily.<p>Kindle has an e-ink display.<p>Kindle weighs 290 grams (iPad 680 grams).<p>Kindle costs $260 (iPad costs $499).<p>The iPad, unlike the Kindle (or the iPod), is a general-purpose machine. It's packed full of ideas and features - instead of uses. Yet it's aimed at the mainstream (who value uses), instead of us techies (who value ideas and features).<p>I can't see it going anywhere, unless someone finds a specific compelling use for it. I think it's more of a stepping stone to something else, perhaps to discover specific uses, or for Apple to get familiar with the new tech (and to stake a claim in the marketplace).
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