After months of anticipation and hype, Apple's CEO Steve Jobs took center stage in San Francisco and introduced the world to the iPad.

[Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO]:

"That's what it looks like, very thin. Just like this."

The sleek, wireless device has been compared to an oversized iPhone with its touch screen and  9.7 inch screen. Users can surf the web with their fingers. The half-inch thick tablet can run movies, books, games and other media applications. Analysts say the shocker isn't so much what it can do, it's the competitive price: $499. 

David Carnoy, executive editor of CNET.com.

[David Carnoy, Executive Director, Cnet.com]:

"In a lot of ways it's exactly what we expected, we expected a jumbo iPod touch, but one thing we didn't expect was that it would be priced at least to start at $499."

Toan Tran, associate director of research, Morningstar says the competitive price puts pressure on e-readers, like the Kindle. 

[Troan Tran, Associate Director of Research, Morningstar]:

"To the dedicated devices like e-readers, now that Apple's come out at this price point, they will have to essentially cut prices."

[David Carnoy, Executive Director, Cnet.com]:

"It's alot more versatile than the kindle device because it has color, does video, does sound, so you have a multi-media pad here."

But Carnoy says there are some drawbacks. He says the iPad can be dropped fairly easily and possibly damage the touch screen. And at one-and-a-half pounds, he says it's a little heavy. He also believes the iPhone is still king.

[David Carnoy, Executive Director, Cnet.com]:

"I think its obviously a portable device  but I don't think it helps you condense all your stuff quite as well as your phone does."

And not everyone is sold on the iPad just yet.

[Carl Samet, Consumer]:

"It attracts a lot of people, but its not something that excites me."

[Eric Bodner, Consumer]:

"I'd like to have everything consolidated into one."

Consumers will be soon be able to see for themselves. Apple says the iPad will be on store shelves within 60 days.