Has Apple really innovated anything since the iPhone?

I am a technology realist and I must say the hype surrounding Apple and iPad confuses me. Every time Apple launches new design products the story repeats itself time and time again. The world stands still and yesterday's session was no exception. I - like many others followed willingly. The appearance Steve Jobs himself made it a perfect evening - not least for Wall Street.

But - what was presented. Apple gave us a new iPad - thinner, reduced weight and it`s faster. The highlight was a new processor with two cores! Excuse me ... is there in fact anything new? It is more like historical fact: New Products HAVE higher performance than its predecessors!

iPad2 – is still lacking basic standardized interfaces as a USB port. It is still delivered with a mediocre and pretty weird browser. And everything is enclosed in Apple's own universe. It's actually MUCH easier to integrate my TV with my Nikon camera than to see my own pictures on the iPad. Does Apple provide innovations and ease of use? Or do they use their market power to provide a technological lock-in? Is Apple presenting technological innovations or design improvements?

The iPad is by many adopted as the media and newspaper rescue gadget. I do not see why any existing or future proprietary hardware gadget can save anything or anybody. The whole idea is odd. Why should people buy a relatively expensive gadget - only to be able to buy content - largely available anyway? The Open systems paradigm will reestablish itself. If Apple insist sticking to the current “lock-in” strategy, they might be digging their own grave. For me it is liberating to listen to a radio station advertising for its own radio app - which supports MOST modern mobile phones!

To be honest: Has Apple has really innovated anything since the iPhone? The iPhone was, despite its dysfunctional telephone interface, a fantastic innovation. They built the first truly well-functioning mobile terminal to the Internet. They also delivered innovative functional and physical design. The whole iPad idea is not very innovative and has roots back to Apple's Newton project from 1987!

After the iPhone, Apple has given us new variations on the same theme. The coolest and most innovative from yesterday's Apple presentation was the new iPad2 screen cover. The cover is good design – but it is not a technological innovation!