What’s most interesting about this version of iOS is its movement towards allowing the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch to exist without the need for a desktop or laptop to sync to.

iOS 5 updates the device automatically and all applications can work without a “home” computer. It’s another step in the direction of total autonomy, particularly for the iPad.

Other new features of iOS 5:

• Revised notifications: Any iPhone or iPad user can tell you that the system notifications can be pretty annoying.  They pop up and interrupt whatever you’re doing, no matter how important the message is.  Apple has heard this feedback, and have revamped this area in iOS 5.  Notifications are now unobtrusive and will be displayed on the lock screen

Check back next week for part 2 of our look at Apple’s iOS 5.

I wanted to write a brief review of my new iPad. The short of it, as you may have already heard elsewhere – is it a cool toy? Yes. Is it a laptop killer? No.

The iPad is a 9.7″ touch-screen with a 1024×768 resolution. My model came with Wi-Fi only but there will be a 3G model available soon. The cost for this model was $499 and the cost for the 3G model will be $629.The iPad can play a variety of audio and video formats, and can run apps from the iTunes app store. There are specific apps written for it or ported from the iPhone, but you can run iPhone apps on it directly, albeit with a smaller size or poorer resolution.

As always, Apple makes the experience pleasant, from shipping (and arriving on time) in an easy t   open container, to quick setup. I had my Exchange email and calendar syncing within 2 minutes. I am not an iPhone or a MAC user, but can definitely get used to the smooth display, great graphics and fast Internet (compared to my Blackberry Storm2).

Some downsides – weight is a major one for me. It comes in at about 1.5lbs, which does not seem like a lot, but when you are trying to hold it, type and do other things, it feels heavy. I personally don’t care much for a camera, but would be nice to have for the sake of video conferencing, if this was to be a true “laptop replacement”. Also, my recommendation would be to not bother with the 3G model – 3G is too slow anyways. Wait for Verizon to roll out 4G, and by that time I think the iPhone and the iPad will be available on that network. And AT&T still hasnt earned its’ stripes as a carrier for businesses.

To sum up, iPad is a nice device to have laying on your couch in case you need to look something up, watch a quick video or send an email. But it will not replace a laptop for small businesses or knowledge workers in corporations. At least not until iPad 2.0 is out.